Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
843-915-5090; 843-915-6090
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
This record is marked Municipal Fallback. Confirm whether a city, state agency, or other local authority controls the parcel before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 843-915-5090; 843-915-6090.
Residential one- and two-family plan review: approximately 5-7 days; new commercial buildings or additions: allow approximately 20 days for review.
Use the Horry County Online Portal for inspection scheduling for Residential New, Residential Alteration, Residential Repair, Residential Townhouse, and Mobile Home New permits. For all other work classes, call 843-915-5090. The county requires the permit before work and additional review materials for floodplain projects; residential plans generally require five to seven days for review.
Horry County lists South Carolina's mandatory 2021 code cycle: 2021 South Carolina/International Building, Residential, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Existing Building, and Swimming Pool and Spa Codes with SC modifications; 2020 National Electrical Code with SC modifications; 2009 International Energy Conservation Code; and the latest ICC/ANSI A117.1 accessibility standard. Horry County publishes a detailed R105.2/A105.2 list. Residential exemptions include qualifying one-story detached accessory buildings up to 200 square feet (zoning compliance still required), fences up to 7 feet, retaining walls up to 4 feet without surcharge, at-grade water tanks up to 5,000 gallons within the height/width ratio, sidewalks and driveways, painting/papering/tiling/carpeting/cabinets/countertops and similar finish work, prefabricated pools under 24 inches, swings/playground equipment, qualifying wall awnings, and detached decks up to 200 square feet and 30 inches above grade. Minor electrical, portable gas/mechanical equipment, and specified plumbing leak/stoppage repairs are also exempt; commercial accessory-building limits differ.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.