Spartanburg County, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to unincorporated Spartanburg County. Incorporated municipalities run separate permit offices inside their own city or town limits, so jurisdiction should always be confirmed before filing.

Department

Building Codes Department, Spartanburg County

Address

366 N Church St, Main Level, Suite 500, Spartanburg, SC 29303

Phone

864-596-2727

Website

https://www.spartanburgcounty.gov/173/Building-Codes

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Spartanburg County and identify whether the project is residential, commercial, mobile home, fire sprinkler or alarm, or another county building code category.
2. Register for a CSS account and use the county's how-to instructions for registration and permit application.
3. Apply online through CSS so Planning, Engineering, and Building Codes approvals can run concurrently where required.
4. Upload the required project documents and disclosures for the selected permit type.
5. County staff review the application, estimate fees from the submitted building use, construction type, square footage, and total cost, and request revisions if needed.
6. Pay fees, receive permit issuance, schedule required inspections through CSS, and obtain certificate of occupancy documents where applicable.

Typical processing time: No public countywide issuance clock located. New-dwelling certificates of occupancy are available the next business day after approved final inspection.

Source: Building Codes Department, Spartanburg County

General Requirements

County pages state residential and commercial projects may require multiple permits including building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sprinkler, and alarm permits. Additional county pathways exist for mobile homes, retaining walls, pools, decks, agricultural buildings, demolition, and special project types.

Required Documents

• CSS account and application
• Plans (where required)
• Valuation data
• Disclosure statement
• Agricultural statement (where applicable)
• Energy certificate
• Project-specific forms and attachments
• Correct permit numbers for inspection requests on separate trade permits

Permit validity

Residential fee schedule states permits expire six months after issuance or last inspection. County practice should be confirmed for commercial and specialty permits if a separate schedule applies.

Building code

2021 International Building Code; 2021 International Fire Code; 2021 International Plumbing Code; 2021 International Mechanical Code; 2021 International Fuel Code; 2021 International One/Two Family Dwelling Code; 2021 Property Maintenance Code; 2020 NEC; 2009 International Energy Code

Owner-builder

County residential permitting resources include a disclosure statement, which should be used where owner-builder status applies.

Contractor requirements

South Carolina LLR licensing remains applicable for state-licensed contractor and trade scopes even though the permit is issued locally.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$32.00 on the published residential fee schedule

Plan check fee

Residential page does not publish a separate plan-review line item; commercial fee documents are linked from the county commercial permitting page

Permit fee formula

Residential building permits: $4.75 per thousand with a $32.00 minimum. Residential trade permits generally start at $32.00 and become valuation-based over $2,000. Commercial fee schedules are posted separately on the county commercial permitting page.

Reinspection fee

$53.00 for third and subsequent inspections

Payment note

County staff estimate fees after key valuation inputs are provided. CSS is the main public-facing permit and payment platform.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-03).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Codes Department, Spartanburg County to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• CSS portal (online)

Inspection hours

Office: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; Permitting: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday; Inspectors: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday

Typical inspection sequence: Residential guidance lists footings and slabs, foundation walls or grade beam reinforcement, under-slab plumbing or electrical or gas, rough-in inspections, insulation, permanent power release, gas release, and final inspections. Commercial guidance follows comparable staged inspections for structural, trade, and final approvals.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 International Building Code; 2021 International Fire Code; 2021 International Plumbing Code; 2021 International Mechanical Code; 2021 International Fuel Code; 2021 International One/Two Family Dwelling Code; 2021 Property Maintenance Code; 2020 NEC; 2009 International Energy Code
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Current Codes
• Residential Required Inspections
• Commercial Required Inspections
• Geographic Information Systems
• License lookup guide: South Carolina Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: South Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• South Carolina hub: South Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Spartanburg County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Spartanburg County, SC?

County pages state residential and commercial projects may require multiple permits including building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sprinkler, and alarm permits. Additional county pathways exist for mobile homes, retaining walls, pools, decks, agricultural buildings, demolition, and special project types.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Spartanburg County, SC?

The minimum permit fee is $32.00 on the published residential fee schedule. Fees are calculated as: Residential building permits: $4.75 per thousand with a $32.00 minimum. Residential trade permits generally start at $32.00 and become valuation-based over $2,000. Commercial fee schedules are posted separately on the county commercial permitting page.. Plan check fee: Residential page does not publish a separate plan-review line item; commercial fee documents are linked from the county commercial permitting page.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Spartanburg County, SC?

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Spartanburg County and identify whether the project is residential, commercial, mobile home, fire sprinkler or alarm, or another county building code category. 2. Register for a CSS account and use the county's how-to instructions for registration and permit application. 3. Apply online through CSS so Planning, Engineering, and Building Codes approvals can run concurrently where required. 4. Upload the required project documents and disclosures for the selected permit type. 5. County staff review the application, estimate fees from the submitted building use, construction type, square footage, and total cost, and request revisions if needed. 6. Pay fees, receive permit issuance, schedule required inspections through CSS, and obtain certificate of occupancy documents where applicable.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Spartanburg County, SC?

Typical processing time is No public countywide issuance clock located. New-dwelling certificates of occupancy are available the next business day after approved final inspection..

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Spartanburg County, SC?

Inspections can be scheduled via: CSS portal.