Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the contractor registration application (PDF). The application must be signed by the qualifier for the state contractor’s license. A copy of your state contractor’s license issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) is required. Either mail these in with your payment or bring them to our office to obtain a county contractor registration number.

• Permit Application Checklist (PDF)

For residential building permits, there are five different types of fees collected. They are as follows:

• Building permit fees - See page 1 of the permit fee schedule (PDF) (Section 1)
• Plans review fees - Equal to one-half of the building permit fee (see page 1 of the permit fee schedule, Section 1 k). Please note that there is an initial plans review fee due when submitting plans for approval which is $0.10 per square feet. Credit will be given towards the final plans review fees due when the permit is issued.
• Fire impact fees - See page 3 of the permit fee schedule
• Construction sign fees - If you are going to have a construction sign on the job site advertising who the contractor is, there is a $20 sign permit fee (see page 5 of the permit fee schedule)
• Impact fees (recreation, law enforcement and transportation) - See the impact fee calculation schedule

For commercial building permit fees, there are five different types of fees collected. They are as follows:

• Building permit fees - See page 2 of the permit fee schedule (PDF) (Section 2)
• Plans review fees - Equal to one-half of the building permit fee (see page 2 of the permit fee schedule, Section 2 k). Please note that there is an initial plans review fee due when submitting plans for approval; the rates are as follows: 
  • New commercial: $0.25 per square feet
  • New commercial shell only $0.10 per square feet
  • Interior upfits with no increase in square footage 0.25% of the value of construction. 
  • Credit will be given towards the final plans review fees due when the permit is issued.
• Fire impact fees - See page 3 of the permit fee schedule
• Construction sign fee - If you are going to have a construction sign on the job site advertising who the contractor is, there is a $20 sign permit fee (see page 5, Section C of the permit fee schedule)
• Impact fees - The fees vary according to the use of the structure. See the impact fee calculation schedule for the different uses and their rates

• Commercial Permit Inspections (PDF)
• Residential Permit Inspections (PDF)

Complete a mobile home permit application (PDF). Submit this to the Building Department Your application will be entered into the computer. You will then need to take the application to the Zoning Department for approval. In addition, proof of water and sewer will need to be submitted. If you are on septic tank, a copy of the septic tank permit from DHEC will need to be submitted. If on public water and/or sewer, the receipt showing fees have been paid needs to be submitted.  Once the application is approved by Zoning, you will be given the approved site permit to take to the Assessor’s Office and get the home registered with the county and obtain a sticker. Bring this back to the Building Department and pay the permit fees.

There is a $100 mobile home permit fee, and a fire impact fee which is 4/10 of 1% (.004) of the value of the home if the home is located in the County or Midway Fire Department areas. The Murrells Inlet-Garden City Fire Department fire impact fee rate is 1% of the value of the home. Mobile homes are now exempt from library, recreation, transportation and law enforcement impact fees.

You will need to complete the mobile home retirement of title permit application (PDF). Submit the application along with payment of $50 to the Building Department. We will send an inspector out to check the home to see that it is set up as a permanent dwelling (tongue, axle and wheels have been removed). Once the inspection has been approved, a certificate of occupancy will be issued which you take to the Register of Deeds office to complete the process of retiring the mobile home title.