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1. Does York County require a business license?

No, York County does not require business licensing. However, some jurisdictions within the County may require a business license. Be sure you contact the appropriate city jurisdiction regarding their business license requirements. 

If you are operating a business out of your home, York County does require a home occupation permit be obtained. Please contact our Zoning Division at 803-909-7235 with any questions.

2. Who do I contact for septic or waste disposal systems?

York County does not issue or approve private septic tank permits for private dwellings. For septic tank permits, please contact SCDHEC at 803-909-7096 or visit https://scdhec.gov/environment/your-home/septic-tanks/permits-licenses-reports.

York County does not issue or approve private well permits for private dwellings. For residential well permits and information, please contact SCDHEC at 803-898-3232 or visit https://scdhec.gov/bureau-water/residential-wells. 

3. How do I get information on water meters?

Information regarding water meters can be obtained through the Water & Sewer Department. Their phone number is 803-327-8639.

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1. Once my site plans are approved, when can I obtain my grading permit?

Once the county approves a site plan, the necessary information is sent to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issuance. SCDHEC has 7 business days from the date they receive the information to issue the permit, deny the permit, or request additional information. Land Disturbance is not allowed until SCDHEC grants NPDES permit coverage and a pre-construction meeting is held on-site.

2. How do I obtain a business license?

York County does not require a business license.

3. How does one become a Licensed Contractor?

Contractor licenses can be obtained through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (SC LLR). You can visit their website at https://llr.sc.gov/ for more information on the different types of licensing available. 

SC Contractor's Licensing Board (Commercial)
Phone: 803-896-4686
Email: [email protected]

SC Residential Builders Commission
Phone: 803-896-4696
Email: [email protected]

SC Building Codes Council
Phone: 803-896-4688
Email: [email protected]

SC Manufactured Housing Board
Phone: 803-896-4682
Email: [email protected] 

4. As a homeowner, can I get the required permit(s) to work on my house without using a contractor?

Yes, as long as you meet the criteria set forth by the SC Code of Laws referenced below:

SECTION 40-59-260. Exception for projects by property owner for personal use; exemption disclosure statement; notice filed with register of deeds. 

(A) This chapter does not apply to an owner of residential property who improves the property or who builds or improves structures or appurtenances on the property if: 

(1) the owner does the work himself, with his own employees, or with licensed contractors or registered entities or individuals; 
(2) the structure, group of structures, or appurtenances, including the improvements, are intended for the owner's sole occupancy for occupancy by the owner's family and are not intended for sale or rent; and 
(3) the general public does not have access to this structure.

(B) In an action brought under this chapter, proof of the sale or rent or the offering for sale or rent of the structure by the owner-builder within two years after completion or issuance of a certificate or occupancy is prima facie evidence that the project was undertaken for the purpose of sale or rent, unless otherwise approved by the commission, and is subject to the penalties provided in this chapter. As used in this section, "sale" or "rent" includes an arrangement by which an owner receives compensation in money, provisions, chattel, or labor from the occupancy, or the transfer of the property or the structures on the property. This section does not exempt a person who is employed by the owner and who acts in the capacity of a builder or a specialty contractor of any kind. 

(C) To qualify for exemption under this section, an owner must personally appear and sign the building permit application. The local permitting agency shall provide the person with a disclosure statement, provided by the department, in substantially the following form: "Disclosure Statement State law requires residential construction to be done by licensed residential builders and specialty contractors. You have applied for a permit under an exemption to that law. The exemption allows you, as the owner of your property, to act as your own builder even though you do not have a license. You must supervise the construction yourself. You may build or improve a one-family or two-family residence. The building must be for your own use and occupancy. It may not be built for sale or rent. If you sell or rent a building you have built yourself within two years after the construction is complete, the law will presume that you built it for sale or rent, which is a violation of this exemption. You may not hire an unlicensed person as your residential builder or specialty contractor. It is your responsibility to make sure that people employed by you have licenses required by state law and by county or municipal licensing ordinances. Your construction must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, building codes, and zoning regulations." 

(D) At the time an owner personally appears and signs the building permit application as required by subsection (C) of this section, the local permitting agency shall provide the owner with all forms necessary to comply with subsection (E) of this section. 

(E) If a residential building or structure has been constructed by an owner under the exemption provided for in this section, the owner of the residential building or structure must promptly file as a matter of public record a notice with the register of deeds, indexed under the owner's name in the grantor's index, stating that the residential building or structure was constructed by the owner as an unlicensed builder. Failure to do so revokes the statutory exemption. 

(F) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to authorize an owner of a residential building or structure to hire a person or entity that is not licensed or registered in accordance with this chapter.

South Carolina Code of Laws Title 40 Chapter 59

5. Whom can I employ to perform construction work on my property?

If you have any questions regarding the requirements for contractor licensing, please call Permit Services at 803-909-7200 or email [email protected]. 

Residential
All residential construction must be performed by a properly licensed contractor. Contractors must be licensed through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (SC LLR). A homeowner may be exempt from needing a licensed contractor if they are going to be performing all of the work themselves and meet the requirements of the SC Code of Laws Section 40-59-260. 

Commercial
When the total cost of construction for a project exceeds $5,000, all contractors must be properly licensed through the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (SC LLR). 

Modular Home
A properly licensed South Carolina contractor is required to perform work on or set up a modular home. The homeowner/property owner is not allowed to do their own work on a modular home.

Manufactured Home (Mobile Home)
A properly licensed South Carolina contractor is required to perform work on or set up a manufactured home. The homeowner/property owner is not allowed to do their own work on a manufactured home. 

6. Do I need a permit if my project is under $500?

Per the York County Code of Ordinances, all construction requires a permit. 

§ 150.14 PERMITS REQUIRED.
Any owner or owner’s authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace and electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be per formed, shall first make application to the Building and Codes Division and obtain the required permit.

Email Permit Services

7. How do I schedule an inspection?

Inspections can be scheduled online using our online permitting website at www.yorkcountygov.com/permitting or calling our 24-hour line at 803-909-7200, option 2. Inspections are performed between the hours of 8:00AM and 5:00PM, Monday through Friday. Inspections must be scheduled by 3:00PM the business day before. When calling in an inspection, please leave the following information:

• Permit Number
• Address
• Contact Name and Phone Number
• Type of Inspection
• Date Inspection is Needed

If we are unable to schedule your inspection for the following business day, a permit technician will notify you of the next available date.  

At the time of the first inspection, you should have the following in place:

• The address and permit posted and visible from the road or street.
• Plans stamped “Approved” and any comment sheets from plan review or permitting on site. 

8. I have a North Carolina License, may I perform work in South Carolina?

You will be required to have a South Carolina contractors license in order to perform work in South Carolina. You may contact the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (SC LLR) to verify if your North Carolina license can reciprocate to South Carolina. Please contact SC LLR for additional information. 

SC LLR Website

9. Does each trade have to pull a separate permit for their trade on a commercial project?

No, all trades will be included on the building permit issued to the general contractor. However, each trade shall be properly licensed in the state of South Carolina, and listed on the general contractor's permit application indicating the state license numbers and subcontractors' contract amounts. 

Commercial Building Permit Application

10. I have a complaint with the Contractor who built my house. How do I address this problem?

All complaints must go through the Residential Builders Commission in Columbia, South Carolina, and then be referred back to our office for further action. For more information call 803-896-4621.

11. How do I get a 9-1-1 address for my property?

You can reach the Addressing Department at 803-909-7482 or 803-909-7483.

12. How do I go about taking over a Building / Structure that has been foreclosed upon?

It is the responsibility of the property owner to verify if any existing permits or code violations exist on a property, and will assume all responsibility upon purchase of the property. If a person purchases a property that has a building or structure on it that was never permitted, or the permit was never completed, a new permit will need to be obtained. 

Once a permit has been applied for, prior to issuance, we will schedule a "field inspection" and one of our inspectors will visit the property to determine the scope of work that has been done (which the previous builder would be responsible for) and what will be needed to finish the project (which the new contractor of record would assume responsibility for). The new owner/contractor will have to assume all responsibility for structures or buildings constructed without a proper permit.  

Residential Permit Information (link)

13. Does York County require a business license?

No, York County does not require business licensing. However, some jurisdictions within the County may require a business license. Be sure you contact the appropriate city jurisdiction regarding their business license requirements. 

If you are operating a business out of your home, York County does require a home occupation permit be obtained. Please contact our Zoning Division at 803-909-7235 with any questions.

14. When do I need to hire an architect for my project?

South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners requires the following: 

SECTION 40-3-290. Exceptions from coverage of chapter. 

(A) Nothing in this chapter prohibits a general contractor or a home builder from the preparation and use of details and shop drawings, assembly or erection drawings, or graphic descriptions used to detail or illustrate a portion of the work required to construct the project in accordance with the plans and specifications prepared or to be prepared under the requirements of this chapter. 

(B) Nothing in this chapter prevents or affects the practice of any other legally recognized profession. 

(C) If the drawings and specifications are signed by the authors with the true title of their occupations, this chapter does not apply to the preparations of plans and specifications for: 

(1) a building which is to be used for farm purposes only; 
(2) a building less than three stories high and containing fewer than five thousand square feet of total floor area except buildings of assembly, institutional, educational, and hazardous occupancies as defined by the Standard Building Code, regardless of area; 
(3) a detached single-family or two-family dwelling, as defined in Group R3 of the Standard Building Code, regardless of size, with each unit having a grade level exit and sheds, storage buildings, and garages incidental to the dwelling; 
(4) alterations to a building to which this chapter does not apply, if the alterations do not increase the areas and capacities beyond the limits of this chapter or affect the structural safety of the building. 

SECTION 40-3-320. Issuance of building permits. The building official or other authority charged with the responsibility of issuing building or other similar permits of any county, municipality, or other subdivision, before issuing the permit, must be in possession of a sealed set of plans and specifications for which the seal of a registered architect is required and to verify that the architect who sealed the architectural plans and specifications is an architect registered in South Carolina.

15. Do I need a permit for a storage building I purchased at Home Depot / Lowes etc.?

Storage buildings that are 200 square feet or less in size do not require a building permit, but do require zoning compliance. 

Storage buildings greater than 200 square feet require a building permit. 

You can find more information regarding permit requirements at our website: www.yorkcountygov.com/ResidentialPermits. 

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1. What is my new address?

Please contact the Department of Public Safety Communications at 803-909-7482 or [email protected]

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1. What is permitted in each zoning district?

This information can be obtained by visiting the Code of Ordinances or by calling the zoning division 803-909-7235.

2. Does York County require a Business License?

No, York County does not require a business license, but if the business is in the county then a site plan approval/zoning approval may be necessary.

3. I received a letter notifying me of a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting?

The purpose of the letter is to notify adjacent property owners of a request on neighboring property. If you would like information regarding that specific request you should call the Zoning Division at 803-909-7235.

4. How do I obtain the zoning classification for my property?

The zoning classification is one of the layers provided through York County's GIS system. This link can be found on the zoning homepage under planning viewer. York County GIS Online

5. Where can I get a copy of my plat?

The plat (Survey) of the property can be obtained from the property owner or the Clerk of Court- Register of Deeds office.

6. What is the procedure for rezoning property?

To better facilitate the process, we ask that applicants contact the Planning Division staff before submitting a rezoning application in order to discuss application requirements and consistency of the request with the Comprehensive Plan and the surrounding area. For further information, contact the a Panning Division office at (803) 909-7223. 

7. Does my manufactured home (mobile home) need underpinning? If so, what kind?

All single-family double-wide residential structures, except manufactured homes located in grandfathered manufactured home parks, must be underpinned with permanent brick, block, stucco, stone z-brick or the equivalent. Mobile homes located in an Agricultural Conservation District (AGC), or Rural Development District (RUD) zoning district will be allowed to use manufactured home vinyl underpinning kits. Single-wide mobile homes located anywhere in York County may be underpinned with permanent brick, block, stucco, stone, Z-brick, vinyl underpinning kits or the equivalent. Underpinning must be vented in accordance with York County Building Code. If underpinning is to be stucco, Z-brick or equivalent, then the underpinning must be installed by the manufacturer's specifications. Vinyl manufactured home kits must be installed.

8. If I am only altering the interior of a building do I need a site plan?

Since each case is unique, you would need to contact the zoning division to verify if a site plan is required.

9. What is the review time for commercial review and revisions?

21 days is the review time for submittals and revisions.

10. What are the procedures for filing a variance request?

Obtain a York County Board of Zoning Appeals Variance Application from the Zoning Department or download it from the Development Services page. The application must be completely filled out and signed by the landowner; a survey of the property, existing property conditions, and any supporting documents should also be attached. A fee of $400 for residential and $550 for nonresidential is due at the time of submittal.