Building Services Ordinances:

• Flood (1526)
• Fee (1547) 
• Building (1557)
     

Functions
Building Inspections
Building Plan Reviews
Building Code Enforcement
Construction-related Permits
Contractor Licensing
Flood Plain Management
Hazard Mitigation Planning
Hazard Related Education
Insurance Rating Schedule Coordination

The Building Inspection Services Department assures compliance with the International Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Fire, and Energy Conservation Codes; the National Electrical Code; and other construction-related federal, state, and local laws to preserve the safety, health and welfare of County residents.

Charleston County’s Building Inspection Services Department also provides building inspection services for the following municipalities:

• Awendaw

• Hollywood

• Kiawah Island

• Meggett

• Ravenel

• Rockville

• Seabrook Island

This department also provides floodplain management services for the Town of James Island.

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This Department Does

Frequently Asked Questions
 

The results of your inspection will be marked/signed approved on the permit placard or a non-compliance notice will be posted at the job site. You can also check on-line by using your established account on ( permit.charlestoncounty.org) or through a general search by:

Step 1: Type “permit.charlestoncounty.org” for citizens access portal

Step 2.: Select Property Search

Step 3: Type in address Step 4: Press search button

Common Terms

Base Flood Elevation-- The elevation of an area in relation to the mean sea level expected to be reached during a flood. Based on historic data, these figures indicate which areas are most likely to be flooded.

CRS, Community Rating System --The measure of an area's compliance with federal guidelines governing the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

FIRM (Flood Insurance Rate Map)-- An official map of a community on which the Federal Insurance Administrator has delineated both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community.

Flood Elevation Certificate-- A document describing the base flood elevation of a property. Flood Elevation Certificates are required before receiving framing or rough-in inspections in flood zones. They are available through any private land surveyor.

Permit-- An official document or certificate issued by the building official authorizing performance of a specified activity.

Substantial Improvement --Any repair, reconstruction or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the property's market value.

Variance-- A grant of relief which would allow construction in a manner otherwise prohibited by required standards. Variances are granted only when specific enforcement of standards will result in unnecessary hardship.

Appeal –  a request to have the applicable construction Board review and confirm or change a decision of the Charleston County Building Official or his designee.

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History

In 1953, the S.C. General Assembly adopted the state's first plumbing code. This created a need for plumbing inspections, which were initially performed by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. At the request of local contractors, architects and engineers, Charleston County Council adopted plumbing codes in 1968 and established the Department of Building Inspection Services to enforce them. Council also adopted the Zoning and Flood Plain Management Ordinances in 1973, Standard Mechanical Code in 1981, and Fire Prevention Code in 1982, and Decal Ordinance in 1990. These ordinances are also enforced by the Department, which currently operates as the Building Inspections Department.

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Interesting Facts

Contact Information

Building Inspection Services Department
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Service Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 202-6930
(843) 202-6936 (Fax)

Office Hours
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

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