Permit Requirements
1. A permit is required for most work / improvements (excluding some interior remodeling including painting, doors, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work).
2. General Contractor requirements:
- A City of Beaufort Business License is required
- A South Carolina State License is required for any of the following:
- General Contractor (Residential or Commercial work over $5,000)
- 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])
3. Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, and Mechanical Contractors:
- A City of Beaufort Business License is required
- A South Carolina State License is required for any of the following:
- Specialty Contractor (Residential work only; not to exceed $4,999.99 or be bonded through SC Labor, Licensing, and Regulations [LLR])
- South Carolina Mechanical Contractor's License (Residential or required for all Commercial work)
- For gas work; Mechanical Plumber or Specialty heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor license is required for any gas work (including putting pressure on a gas line)
Work on Your Own Property
A homeowner who owns his own home and lives there and is performing work himself may be issued a permit (after completing a Disclosure Statement and having it recorded at the Register of Deed's office). 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.
Work on Someone Else's Property
Any individual performing work on someone else's property is considered a contractor and is required to have the items listed in numbers 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.