Responsibilities:

• Building Plan Reviews – A building plan review is required before a building permit can be issued for all residential owners and all commercial construction.
• Building Permits - A building permit must be issued before starting any new building construction or making additions, alterations, renovations, and demolition of existing structures. Examples of permits are building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, etc.
• Building Inspections – Inspections are required per building codes after the building permit has been issued at pre-determined intervals based on the type of permit issued.
• Manufactured Housing Permits – Any mobile home or manufactured home that has been placed on property receive a permit in order to have electricity turned on.
• Unsafe Housing – This program is chartered to provide safer housing and neighborhoods by requiring the renovation of repairable structures and demolishing structures that are a danger to you or your neighborhood.

Scope of Services:

• Process applications for: building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits
• Enforce county ordinances related to building codes
• Interpret building codes
• Perform inspections for approved construction projects
• Enforce compliance with codes, regulations, ordinances, and construction requirements.
• Review construction plans for commercial buildings and residential owner/builder projects
• Issue building permits
• The department does not design buildings, provide building plans, and perform inspections on existing structures where no construction permit has been issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q. What is needed for a contractor to obtain a building permit?
• A. You would need to complete a Zoning/Land Development Permit Application (pdf form available here). You would also need to provide contractor information such as a copy of their SC Contractors License and a $2500.00 surety bond made out to Richland County (please insert link for bond form). You would also need to provide us with the subcontractors such as your electrician, plumber and heating and air contractors. These subcontractors must be registered with the state of South Carolina, City of Columbia or the Municipal Association. They must also obtain a Richland County Subcontractors Card. You would also need to submit proof of sewer information such as the results from a perk test from DHEC or a receipt or sewer tap card from Richland County Utilities. If you are not on either of these types of sewer system no proof is needed.



• Q. What is needed for a homeowner to obtain a building permit?
• A. If you are building as a homeowner you would also need to provide us with the subcontractors such as your electrician, plumber and heating and air contractors. These subcontractors must be registered with the state of South Carolina, City of Columbia or the Municipal Association. They must also obtain a Richland County Subcontractors Card. You would also need to submit proof of sewer information such as the results from a perk test from DHEC or a receipt or sewer tap card from Richland County Utilities. If you are not on either of these types of sewer system, you will need to bring proof from your sewer provider that there is sewer availability for your residence.



• Q. How do I obtain a building permit?
• A. You may download a building permit by clicking your mouse here. Once the form has been completed you may either submit it online or bring the form to the Building Services Department located at 2020 Hampton Street, First Floor of the Richland County Administration Building for submittal.
• Q. What is needed to obtain a mobile home permit?
• A. To obtain a manufactured home permit you will need your bill of sale or title, proof of sewer information such as perk test results from DHEC, sewer tap card or receipt from Richland County Utilities. If you are not on either of these types of sewer system, you will need to bring proof from your sewer provider that there is sewer availability for your residence. Please review the Manufactured Home Set-up Requirements.