Outside the City of Barnwell, building permits come from the Barnwell County Building Inspector & Zoning office at 57 Wall Street, Barnwell (839-279-9593), which takes permit applications after 2:00 p.m. on weekdays. Fees follow a construction-cost chart: $65 for work up to $5,000 and $836 for a $200,000 house.
What needs a permit in Barnwell County?
The county fee chart covers all buildings, additions and renovations larger than 200 square feet, and the county application lists the permit types it issues:
Building work
- New construction and new additions
- Alterations, remodels, repairs and replacements
- Foundation repair
- Swimming pools
- Demolition
- New cell towers, which need FAA approval
Systems and homes
- Electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical/HVAC
- Solar panel installations
- Mobile home inspections and de-titling
The application covers commercial, residential and agricultural projects, and asks which power company (Dominion, Edisto Co-op or Aiken Co-op) serves the site.
Who issues building permits in Barnwell County?
The Building Inspector & Zoning office permits and inspects construction in unincorporated Barnwell County and administers the county zoning ordinance, land development regulations and mobile home ordinance.
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Get a free quote →| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 57 Wall Street, Barnwell, SC 29812 (mail: Attn: Building Inspector) |
| Phone | 839-279-9593 |
| buildinginspector@barnwellcountysc.gov | |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; permitting after 2:00 p.m. |
| Place | Building permits |
|---|---|
| Unincorporated county | Barnwell County Building Inspector & Zoning |
| City of Barnwell | City Building Department, run under contract by SAFEbuilt, in City Hall, 130 Main Street (803-259-3266); SAFEbuilt also issues certificates of occupancy |
| Williston | The town issues zoning and sign permits (Town Hall, 13112 Main Street, 803-266-7015); its site does not say who issues building permits |
| Blackville | Not stated on the town site; Town Hall, 5983 Lartigue St, 803-284-2444 |
| Hilda, Elko, Kline, Snelling | No official source found; ask the town or the county office |
For mobile homes the county does work with the towns: its set-up checklist asks for a letter from Williston or Hilda Town Hall, or a sticker from Blackville Town Hall, when the home is in one of those towns.
Barnwell County permit fees
The Building Inspection Permit Fee Chart (effective April 1, 2015, revised May 8, 2019) lists a set fee for each $1,000 of construction cost above $50,000; these are selected rows.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Construction cost | Permit fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $5,000 | $65 |
| $5,001–$10,000 | $75 |
| $10,001–$15,000 | $115 |
| $15,001–$20,000 | $154 |
| $20,001–$30,000 | $193 |
| $30,001–$50,000 | $286 |
| $100,000 | $506 |
| $150,000 | $671 |
| $200,000 | $836 |
| $300,000 | $1,166 |
| Activity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Mobile home permit or de-titling | $80 |
| Commercial plan review | $80 per hour, 2-hour minimum |
| Electrical only | $55 |
| Solar installation | Based on total job cost |
| Re-inspection, after 2 failed inspections | $55 |
The mobile home checklist also lists a $5 charge alongside the $80 permit.
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →Trade work and contractor details
The county application names the general contractor, any other contractor, and the plumber, mechanical and electrical contractors, with each one’s cost, and every application must include a copy of the contractor’s licence or credentials. Stand-alone electrical work is a $55 permit. If the homeowner is the builder or is doing the work, the county requires a Homeowner Affidavit.
How to apply for a Barnwell County building permit
If the lot is inside the City of Barnwell, apply at City Hall instead; for Williston, Blackville or Hilda, contact the town first.
For new construction, get the septic tank approval and the 911 verification form before you apply.
Give the tax map number, owner and occupant details, power company, square footage, construction type, every contractor and the total construction cost.
Include a set of plans for new construction and copies of the contractors’ licences, or the Homeowner Affidavit.
Bring or send the application to 57 Wall Street during the afternoon permitting hours, or email buildinginspector@barnwellcountysc.gov.
Call 839-279-9593 when each stage is ready.
Rather not deal with the Barnwell County building department?
Get a free quote →Inspections in Barnwell County
The county charges $55 for a re-inspection only after two failed inspections. For a mobile home, finish the checklist before calling the inspector: a service pole at least 20 ft long, the meter base centered about 5 ft 6 in above ground with two ground rods, buried wire at least 24 in deep (18 in in conduit), double-blocked piers, steps at least 48 in wide with handrails and risers no taller than 7¾ in, GFCI receptacles, smoke detectors in each bedroom, and the blue 911 address sign posted. Power is not authorized until the 911 address is up.
Local details in Barnwell County
Design criteria: the county publishes Seismic Design Category C, a wind design value of 120, ground snow loads of 5–10 and a very heavy termite infestation rating for structural plans.
Used mobile homes: the county applies minimum habitability standards (section 79-43) covering plumbing, hot water, heating, smoke detectors, windows, electrical outlets, walls, roofs and floors before a used home can be occupied. Legal residence requires two forms of ID.
City of Barnwell zoning: the City Administrator acts as zoning administrator, and the City’s zoning map has 13 districts; zoning permit forms are at City Hall.
South Carolina building code
Every South Carolina county and municipality enforces the 2021 South Carolina Building Codes, in force since 1 January 2023; the 2024 editions take effect statewide on 1 January 2027, and the energy code stays the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. South Carolina building codes
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Barnwell County official resources
- City of Barnwell Building and Zoning
- Barnwell County permit applications and guidance
- Barnwell County Building Permit Fee Schedule
- Barnwell County Building Permit Application
- Barnwell County Mobile Home Set Up Requirements
- Town of Williston forms and zoning permit
Barnwell County permit FAQ
Who issues building permits in Barnwell County?
The county Building Inspector & Zoning office at 57 Wall Street (839-279-9593) for unincorporated areas. Inside the City of Barnwell, the City’s Building Department, run by SAFEbuilt at City Hall, issues them.
How much is a building permit in Barnwell County?
The county fee chart starts at $65 for work up to $5,000; a $100,000 project pays $506 and a $200,000 house $836. Commercial plan review is billed at $80 an hour with a 2-hour minimum.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →When can I apply?
The office is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, and permits are handled after 2:00 p.m.
What do I need for a new house?
A set of plans, the septic tank approval, the 911 verification form, the contractors’ licences or a Homeowner Affidavit, and the completed county application with the total construction cost.
How much is a mobile home permit?
$80, with the checklist also listing a $5 charge. Homes in Williston, Hilda or Blackville need a letter or sticker from the town hall.
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More South Carolina permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Barnwell County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.