Georgetown County, SC Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Sec. 7-10(a) states plainly that a building permit is required if the work involves any referenced code or any county ordinance, and that no construction, remodeling, plumbing, electrical, mechanical or gas work, swimming pool construction, or land development may begin without first securing that permit from the building official or an authorized representative. Sec. 7-10(b) carves out a narrow exception: projects that are simply home improvements, defined as painting, replacing windows and doors, repairing plumbing fixtures, or replacing rotten wood, do not need a permit.

Before a permit issues, Sec. 7-9 requires plans and specifications be submitted for review, two sets plus an electronic PDF for commercial work and residential work alike, with commercial plans reviewed within fifteen working days and one- and two-family dwelling plans within ten; plans must be stamped, signed and dated by the building department before a permit is issued. Once granted, Sec. 7-11 requires the permit card be posted facing the public right-of-way and kept weather-protected until the work is finished and approved, and Sec.

7-12 authorizes routine inspections at staged points, plus a $100 re-inspection fee if the site is not ready. Sec. 7-13 lets the building official issue an immediate stop-work order, without prior written notice in an emergency, for work done in violation of the code or in a dangerous manner.