BuildingPermitCost How Charleston County calculates your permit fee
The county charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, with a $75.00 minimum. Plan review is a separate charge: 50% of the permit fee.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $1,000 | $75.00 |
| $1,001 – $2,000 | $75.00 |
| $2,001 – $50,000 | $75.00 for the first $2,000 + $6.00 per additional $1,000 |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $363.00 for the first $50,000 + $5.63 per additional $1,000 |
| $100,001 – $300,000 | $655.25 for the first $100,000 + $5.25 per additional $1,000 |
| $300,001 – $500,000 | $1,694.25 for the first $300,000 + $5.03 per additional $1,000 |
| Over $500,000 | $2,699.25 for the first $500,000 + $4.50 per additional $1,000 |
What counts as project value
Not stated in the schedule. Fees are based on 'construction valuation'; neither the fee page nor Ordinance #2386 says how valuation is determined.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $1,694.25 for the first $300,000.00 + $5.03 × 50 per $1,000.00 over = $1,945.75
- Plan review fee: 50% of $1,945.75 = $972.88
- Total before trade permits: $2,918.63.
Fees people miss
May also apply (not in the totals above)
- Site Drainage + Grading Plan review (single family residence): when a site drainage and grading plan is reviewed (single-family residence); $100.00 on the standard projects.
- Working without permit: when work started before obtaining the permit; $213.00 on the standard projects.
- ICC expedited plan review processing: when applicant seeks expedited review by the ICC; $53.25 on the standard projects.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Construction in Flood Zones filing feeWhen: construction in a flood zone | $250.00 each |
| Floodplain Management Compliance InspectionWhen: floodplain compliance inspection required | $100.00 each |
| Re-inspectionWhen: a re-inspection is required | $100.00 each |
| Manufactured housing setupWhen: manufactured home setup | $100.00 each |
| Plan revision feeWhen: plan revisions | 1/2 of plan review fee |
| Re-notification feeWhen: applicant fails to respond to plan review comments within 30 days | 1/2 of plan review fee |
| Permit extensionWhen: permit extension requested | $50.00 each |
| Structural moving permitWhen: structure moving | $100.00 each |
| Variance / appeal applicationWhen: appeal filed (refunded if granted) | $100.00 each |
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Charleston County Building Inspection Services.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.