Building permits in Charleston, SC
Permits for Charleston are issued by City of Charleston, Development and Construction Services. Applications go through the portal below.
Checked against the department's own page on 6 Sep 2026
Where to file
- Department
- City of Charleston, Development and Construction Services
- Phone
- 843-577-5550
- Portal
- www.charleston-sc.gov/856/Permit-Center
Customer Self Service (CSS) portal 24/7. permits@charleston-sc.gov. Confirm phone. Email permits@charleston-sc.gov. 2 George St, ground floor.
What each job needs in Charleston
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Charleston before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in South Carolina
A Residential Builder license is generally required for residential work over $5,000; commercial General/Mechanical contractor licensing applies over $5,000 (bid-limit tiers).
Issued by South Carolina LLR — Contractor's Licensing Board · Verify a licence
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Other South Carolina jurisdictions
Department, portal and phone checked against the official page on 6 Sep 2026. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.