- What are the requirements to do work in the City of Beaufort?
- As a homeowner can I be my own contractor and do I need a building
permit?
- What information do I need to provide the City in order to obtain a building
permit?
- When must I pull a permit and how long does it take for a building permit to
be approved?
- As a business owner or rental property owner can I be my own general
contractor?
- How long is a permit good for?
- How do I file a complaint regarding weeded lots or trashy conditions around
a house?
1. A permit is
required for any work/improvements over $101.00
(Excluding interior residential remodeling including painting, doors, papering,
tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work).
2. General Contractor requirements:
a. A City of Beaufort Business License is
required
b. A South Carolina State License for
either a:
-
Residential Home Builder (Residential
work only)
-
Specialty Contractor (Residential
work only – not to exceed $4,999.99 or be bonded through SC Labor,
Licensing, and Regulations (LLR))
-
General Contractor (Residential) or
(Commercial work over $5,000)
3. Electrical, Plumbing, Gas and Mechanical
Contractors:
a. A City of Beaufort Business License is
required
b. A South Carolina State License for
either a:
-
Specialty Contractor (Residential
work only – not to exceed $4,999.99 or be bonded through SC Labor,
Licensing, and Regulations (LLR))
-
S.C. Mechanical Contractor's License
(Residential) or (Commercial work over $5,000)
c. A signed Electrician's Affidavit will be
required on all permits requiring electric work.
4. A homeowner who owns his own home and lives
there and is performing work himself may be issued a permit. A homeowner cannot
work on a home he owns that is for rent or for sale per Section 40-11-360(5) of
the Contractors' Licensing Act.
5. Any individual performing work on someone else's
property is considered a contractor and is required to have the above
items listed in 1 and 2.
CAUTION: If a contractor requests that the
owner obtain the permit, PLEASE DON'T. If this happens, the contractor may
not be properly licensed, bonded, and therefore may not want to be responsible
for his work. If you have any doubt as to a contractor's qualifications, please
do not hesitate to call 525-7040.
Many homeowners are not aware when a permit is required. Whenever a
homeowner undertakes either renovations or additions to a dwelling or is
installing or replacing a heating appliance, water heater, installing an
electrical fixture or fixtures or outlets, they must first obtain a permit for
the work. A phone call to our office should be made prior to the work
commencing so that we may provide you with the proper applications and/or
information. The reason for the permits is a simple one. It is to ensure
adequate maintenance of buildings and to adequately protect the health,
safety, and welfare of the people and to ensure COMPLIANCE with the applicable
regulations. The codes are ever changing and sometimes a homeowner may not be
aware of these changes. We ensure that the work is performed properly and in a
workmanship type manner.
- The proper forms will need to be completed and information provided that
will be needed to issue a permit.
- You will need the total cost of the project (i.e. cost of materials and
labor).
- You will need to list any and all sub-contractors that will be required to
complete the project.
- A permit is
required for any work/improvements over $101.00
(Excluding interior residential remodeling including painting, doors, papering,
tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work).
- Approval time depends on the type of permit you're requesting. Permit
applications that require plans to be reviewed will take longer to review
before issuing.
- Residential
- No. Per Section 40-11-360(5) of the Contractors'
Licensing Act states an owner may perform the work himself provided that the
structure, or appurtenances, including the improvements, are intended for the
owner's sole occupancy or occupancy by his or her family and not intended for
sale or rent and the general public does not have access to the structure.
- Commercial
– For non-residential projects, work performed by the
owner is limited to nonstructural and non-mechanical portions of the project.
- A permit is good for six (6) months from the date of issue. An extension
may be granted if the owner or contractor can provide a reason why the
extension is warranted.
- You can put your complaint in writing and mail or fax it to the Codes
Enforcement Office at P.O. Drawer 1167, Beaufort, SC 29901 – Fax (843)
986-5606, or
- You can call the Codes Enforcement Office at (843) 525-7040.
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