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Guide to Building Construction Permitting Orangeburg, SC

Whether or not a permit application is approved depends on the information the contractor provides. We send clients and their contractors our completed architectural and site plans so they can get zoning and permitting approval without unnecessary hiccups.

You must submit a building permit application for big residential construction projects, such as renovations and new builds. Permit applications need the contractor’s information for approval, so only seek permits after hiring your general contractor. We can ensure you are aware of the permits you’ll need, based on your house plans and local building regulations, so you can confirm compliance with your contractor and avoid performing any unpermitted work.

Schedule your consultation with Phase One’s Orangeburg, SC architectural designers by calling 803-404-7168.

When Do Must You Submit an Application for a Building Permit in Orangeburg, SC?

The first permit you will need for residential construction is the building permit. Submit this application to Orangeburg’s Building Inspection Division well before you intend to start construction, as it may take a while to be issued. Submit a building permit application for any major residential construction, from new home builds to complete renovations.

In general, you must submit and obtain a building permit when making any major structural changes to an existing home or building a new structure from the ground up.

Submit permit applications after hiring a general contractor for the project. The permit application requires their name and license number, as well as the information of all subcontractors involved.

What Plans Do You Submit with a Building Construction Permit Application?

In addition to filling out the building permit application in Orangeburg, you must submit plans for review.

Site Plans

Site plans show your intentions for the entire property, not just the home itself. These scaled drawings indicate the location of all buildings on the property in relation to one another, the placement of driveways and outdoor recreational areas, the positioning of trees, and more.

House Plans

You must also submit the detailed architectural drawings we produce to get a building permit in Orangeburg. We create digital and physical copies of house plans for our clients, making it even easier to send drawings to contractors. The house plans must show the mechanical placements, elevation, square footage, layout, and other major design elements.

How Much Should You Spend on Construction Permits?

In any residential construction project, homeowners can expect to spend a relatively sizable amount on permits, ranging from hundreds of dollars to thousands in total. You should know how much you will pay in permitting fees before committing to certain design or structural elements, so you can make budget-conscious decisions.

We can estimate the total cost of permits. When contractors are responsible for obtaining permits, homeowners generally must reimburse them; this should be factored into your budget for the build.

Suppose you don’t get the mandatory permits. In that case, you might end up spending far more on purchasing replacement materials, paying fines, and demolishing unpermitted work.

Do You Need to Get Zoning Approval Before Obtaining a Building Permit?

Before you can seek a building permit, you must first submit a “plan review” to the Building Inspection Division for zoning approval. Plans must adhere to all local zoning and building regulations, and you must confirm compliance with these regulations before obtaining a building permit.

If the Building Inspection Division has any zoning issues with the plans, fixing them during this stage is more cost-effective. You don’t have to purchase building materials before getting zoning approval or setting a strict start date to construction.

FAQs About Building Construction Permitting in Orangeburg, SC

Can Unpermitted Work Get Demolished?

If your contractor performs any unpermitted work in Orangeburg, it may be subject to demolition. This requires homeowners to repurchase materials, hindering overall construction progress, so it is essential to always check a contractor’s compliance.

Can You Be Fined for Unpermitted Work in South Carolina?

When contractors perform unpermitted work, homeowners can face substantial fines. Fines can be hundreds of dollars or more, and are often accompanied by stop-work orders until residential construction sites obtain mandatory permits. Fines are typically more expensive than permit fees in Orangeburg.

How Can You Determine if Your Contractor Complies with Permits?

To see if your contractor complies with permit requirements, you can verify their license, ask for copies of issued permits, or check with Orangeburg’s public records.

How Quickly Can You Get a Permit in Orangeburg, SC?

The City of Orangeburg warns that you shouldn’t expect any action on permit applications whatsoever within the first 48 hours. While your permit may be issued within a few days of submission, it may also take weeks or months. Don’t expect that you can get HVAC, electrical, or plumbing issues at a moment’s notice during construction, and have your contractor seek them from the get-go.

How Do You Ensure Permit Approval?

Enhance the chances of your building permits being approved by having our architectural designers plan your house and create detailed drawings. Plans with ample detailed information, accurate calculations, and clear-cut instructions are more likely to get the permitting approval they need.

What Information Do You Need for a Building Permits Application?

Building permit applications must contain the following information:

Lot owner’s information
Contractor’s information
Architect’s information
Number of stories
Number of rooms
Proposed use and occupancy
Exterior wall construction
Total estimate cost

Suppose you are using subcontractors for carpentry, drywall, electrical, flooring, HVAC, insulation, masonry, plumbing, roofing, siding, or stucco. In that case, the permit application must include the names and licenses of all subcontractors.

Our architectural designers are responsible for providing contractors with the necessary information to address all questions related to the structure for permit applications.