BuildingPermitCost How North Charleston calculates your permit fee
The city charges a building permit fee using a fee table based on project value, plus a $30.00 application fee. Plan review is a separate charge: 50% of the permit fee. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work gets its own permits.
The fee table
| Project value | Fee |
|---|---|
| $1 – $1,000 | $0.00 |
| $1,001 – $50,000 | $15.00 for the first $1,000 + $5.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $260.00 for the first $50,000 + $4.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| $100,001 – $500,000 | $460.00 for the first $100,000 + $3.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
| Over $500,000 | $1,660.00 for the first $500,000 + $2.00 per additional $1,000 or fraction |
Plus an application fee of $30.00.
What counts as project value
Your contract or bid price. Fees are based on total valuation; applicants attach a contract/invoice showing detailed scope of work with cost including materials and labor.
Worked example: a $350,000 new home
- Building permit fee: $460.00 for the first $100,000.00 + $3.00 × 250 per $1,000.00 over = $1,210.00
- Application fee: fixed = $30.00
- Plan review fee: 50% of $1,210.00 = $605.00
- Total before trade permits: $1,845.00.
Fees people miss
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Inspection for work valued $1,000 or lessWhen: valuation $1,000 or less and an inspection is required | $15.00 per inspection |
| Development permitWhen: development permit required | $30.00 filing and inspection fee |
| Re-inspection feeWhen: re-inspection needed | $50.00 each |
| Working without permitsWhen: work started without a permit | triple fee of all permit fees |
| Temporary office trailerWhen: temporary office trailer | $40.00 each |
Trade permits are separate. Electrical: $30 filing fee; new or upgraded services $0.25 per amp; additions/alterations $30; temp pole/trailer pole/signs $30 (no filing fee). Plumbing: $30 filing fee plus per-fixture and per-item fees. Mechanical: $30 filing fee; heating/ventilating duct $10 for the first $1,000 of value plus $2 per additional $1,000 or fraction; boilers by BTU input ($5-$15).
How to apply
- Gather your plans and your project's total value.
- Submit to Building Inspections, City of North Charleston through Online Permit Applications.
- Pay the permit and plan review fees when invoiced.
- Questions: 843-554-5700 · 2500 City Hall Lane, North Charleston, SC 29406