When visiting the Permit Center:  

• Applicants are encouraged to have all appropriate applications completed prior to entering the Permit Center.
• We highly recommend submitting all sub/trade permit applications via businesslicense@charleston-sc.gov.
• We highly recommend submitting permit applications, construction documents, and plans through the City’s Customer Self service (CSS).The available permit types are as follows:
  • Commercial new, alteration, an addition
  • Multi Family new, alteration and addition
  • Residential new, alteration and addition
  • Painting
  • Commercial Swimming Pool new and alteration/repair
  • Residential Swimming Pool
  • Mobile Food Vendor
  • Sign
  • Fence new and alteration
  • Residential Roofing
  • Solar Panel
  • Fire Alarm/ Fire Alarm Quick
• We are only accepting .pdf format files. Any links, JPEG files, embedded documents, or other file types are not accepted.
• The information on this page is subject to change at any time, so we encourage our customers to review often.

Digital Permit Submittals

• The City is accepting digital (.pdf files) development and construction related permit applications and construction documents for processing.  Please see below for specific permit guidance. 
• All sub/trade permit applications must be submitted via businesslicense@charleston-sc.gov.
• All permit applications, construction documents, and plans should be submitted through CSS portal.
• The City is only accepting attached .PDF file format documents.  We will not open any links, JPEG files, embedded documents, etc.
• All digital permit submittals must be accompanied by the appropriate application.
• Once the permit application is approved, an e-mail notification will be sent to the applicant advising them on payment and printing the permit placards (if applicable)After subsequent document uploads through the City’s CSS portal – any time after the initial application document upload - please send a follow-up email to permits@charleston-sc.gov and inspections@charleston-sc.gov.  The City does not receive a notice when documents are uploaded through CSS, so delays may occur processing these documents.

Payments

• Permit payments can be accepted via our Customer Self service (CSS).  
• Apply for a Customer Self service (CSS),
• An account is not required to pay for permits. A search of the invoice number will allow for payment
• Once the permit application is approved, the applicant will receive an e-mail notification to log in to their CSS account to pay for the permit. Once the permit is paid, permit status will be updated to ‘Issued’ in 1 – 2 business days.
• Once the permit status is ‘Issued’, the applicant can log into their CSS account, print the permit placard for display at the project site, and work can commence.
• Business and Hospitality License renewal paymentsoptions:
  • Mail to P.O. BOX 22009, Charleston SC 29413
  • Submit through our Customer Self service (CSS)

Inspections

• Building, Fire, Zoning, BAR/DRB, and Engineering inspections will continue, when practical, based on guidance from Center for Disease Control (CDC), South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), and City leadership.
• For more information, visit:
• Building Inspections Division for building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fuel-gas inspections
• Fire Marshals Division for fire related permit inspections
• Engineering Division for engineering and right-of-way inspections
• DRB/BAR Division related inspections

Business License

• Renewal business licenses and hospitality payment options:
  • Mail to P.O. BOX 22009, Charleston SC 29413
  • Submit through our Customer Self service (CSS)
  • New business license applications, please email hamiltoni@charleston-sc.gov

Contact Us

• Please contact us if you have questions or need guidance:
  • permits@charleston-sc.gov
  • 843.577.5550