County Building Permits
Union County, SC - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, South Carolina. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Union County, South Carolina.
- Department
- Union County Department of Building Safety & Floodplain Management
- Address
- 1246 S. Duncan Bypass Suite B, Union, SC 29379
- Phone
- (864) 424-2341
Application Process
- Contact Union County Building Safety via email (dpettit@countyofunion.com), phone ((864) 424-2341), or in-person at 1246 S. Duncan Bypass Suite B.
- Submit permit application and required documents in person or by email.
- County staff reviews application for compliance with South Carolina Building Code (2021 edition) and Union County ordinances.
- Schedule final inspections upon approval.
- Obtain Certificate of Occupancy upon final inspection approval.
Typical processing time: 5-10 business days
Source: Union County Department of Building Safety & Floodplain Management
General Requirements
A building permit is required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, or demolition of buildings or structures, and for installation or modification of electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
- Building code
- South Carolina Building Code 2021 (based on IBC 2021)
- Owner-builder
- South Carolina law allows property owners to build or improve on one-family or two-family residences if work is not offered for sale or rent for two years following construction, owner supervises construction directly (with licensed contractors for specialty trades), and owner files a notice with the register of deeds after construction.
- Contractor requirements
- Licensed contractors required for specialty trades; commercial work over $10,000 requires SC Contractor's Licensing Board license.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact Building Official (dpettit@countyofunion.com) for current, project-specific fee quotes.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Union County Department of Building Safety & Floodplain Management to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (864) 424-2341 (phone)
- dpettit@countyofunion.com (email)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: foundation/footing, framing, electrical/plumbing/mechanical rough-in, final/Certificate of Occupancy.
Additional Resources
- Building code: South Carolina Building Code 2021 (based on IBC 2021)
- Verify contractor license: SC Contractor's Licensing Board
- SC Building Codes Council
- SC Department of Environmental Services (Stormwater/NPDES)
- License lookup guide: South Carolina Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: South Carolina Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- South Carolina hub: South Carolina Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Union County Department of Building Safety & Floodplain Management before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Union County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Union County, SC?
- A building permit is required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, or demolition of buildings or structures, and for installation or modification of electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, SC?
- 1. Contact Union County Building Safety via email (dpettit@countyofunion.com), phone ((864) 424-2341), or in-person at 1246 S. Duncan Bypass Suite B. 2. Submit permit application and required documents in person or by email. 3. County staff reviews application for compliance with South Carolina Building Code (2021 edition) and Union County ordinances. 4. Schedule final inspections upon approval. 5. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy upon final inspection approval.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Union County, SC?
- Typical processing time is 5-10 business days.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Union County, SC?
- The following work is generally exempt: Minor repairs to pipes, drains, or fixtures not affecting structural integrity; Interior painting or cosmetic alterations; Small sheds or storage structures under county size/valuation thresholds. Note: Contact the Building Official for a complete list of permit-exempt improvements.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Union County, SC?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (864) 424-2341, dpettit@countyofunion.com.
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