Edgefield County, South Carolina Building Permit Guide

Edgefield County Building and Planning, at 210 Penn St. in Edgefield (803-637-4073), issues building and trade permits and carries out inspections for the unincorporated county and for the Towns of Edgefield, Johnston and Trenton. The office has gone paperless, so permits are applied for and inspections requested through the County’s iWorQ portal, and building fees run from $20 for the first $1,000 of value on a sliding scale.

What needs a permit in Edgefield County?

The County’s homebuilding packet says a building permit is needed before any construction starts, and that permits for every trade must be issued before that trade’s work begins. The fee schedule shows the permits the department issues:

A farm structure built under the agricultural exemption gets no building inspections and does not need the owner-builder statement, but any electrical, mechanical or plumbing work in it must be done by South Carolina licensed contractors under their own permits and inspections.

Who issues building permits in Edgefield County?

The Building and Planning Department enforces the County’s adopted codes and development ordinances: it reviews plans, issues permits, inspects construction, handles code enforcement and planning, and supports the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Manufactured Home Appeals Committee and County Transportation Committee.

How the towns are covered:

• Edgefield, Johnston and Trenton: the County department issues the building permits and does the inspections for all three towns.
• North Augusta: a small part of the city lies in Edgefield County. The County’s page does not list North Augusta among the towns it serves, so ask the City of North Augusta before filing.

Edgefield County permit fees

The Building and Planning fee schedule (the 2023 schedule posted in February 2024) prices building permits on the value of the work, roofing included. The County also publishes the minimum building valuation data it uses.

The packet says the fee is set after the application and plan review, and the County does not refund permit fees if you decide not to go ahead. Moving a manufactured home without a permit carries a $500 per day fine.

What a new house application needs

The County’s step-by-step packet for building a home starts with plat approval: bring a copy of the recorded plat (the RMC Office in the courthouse has copies) so the planner can check drainage, easements and setbacks. Then get the septic permit from the state Department of Environmental Services, or water and sewer authorization from the Edgefield County Water and Sewer Authority. The building permit itself needs:

• The septic permit to construct or the water tap receipt
• A digital copy of the plans, uploaded to the portal, showing the floor plan with walls, electrical devices and panels, plumbing fixtures, and footing, foundation and wall details
• The online application
• A copy of the contractor’s South Carolina licence (not needed when the owner does the work, but subcontractors must be licensed)
• Payment of the permit fee

Owners building their own home without a licensed contractor sign an Owner Builder Disclosure Statement, notarized and recorded, confirming they will not rent, lease or sell the building for two years. A 911 address is assigned once the permit is submitted and must be posted where it can be seen from the nearest public road for the whole project.

Steps to a building permit in Edgefield County

Inspections in Edgefield County

The permit holder schedules inspections through the portal at least 24 hours in advance, and results are emailed to the address used on the application. The residential sequence is:

• Temporary power
• Footing or slab, with reinforcement and bulkheads in place
• Foundation, with blocks grouted, anchors and vents in place and the crawl space clean
• Floor joists, before any walls or decking
• Rough-in, with framing, roof, windows and doors, electrical, mechanical and plumbing in place, a plumbing leak test, and Manual J calculations submitted
• Insulation, before drywall
• Final electrical, after which the County authorizes power with the electric supplier
• Certificate of Occupancy, the last inspection; the home may not be occupied before the CO is issued

Corrections must be made before other work continues, and re-inspection fees apply after a second failure of the same inspection. Permits are good for 180 days from issuance or from the last inspection, and can be extended once for another 180 days on a written request showing good cause.

Local details that matter in Edgefield County

Utilities: the County lists the Edgefield County Water and Sewer Authority (803-637-3011), Aiken Electric Cooperative and Dominion Energy South Carolina. For driveways, the packet gives 803-637-4073 for County roads and SCDOT (803-637-6511) for state roads.

Manufactured homes: the County’s manufactured home packet starts with plat approval and a Site Approval form, then septic or sewer approval, a 911 address and registration at the Tax Assessor’s office. The final inspection checks anchors, piers, landings with steps and handrails, underpinning, the posted address and the tax decal, and the tongue and tires must come off unless a $150 tongue fee is paid. The packet also calls for a concrete pipe at least 15 inches in diameter under the driveway where it crosses a drainage ditch.

Land development: the County publishes plain-language guides for land development, residential homes and minor and major subdivisions, along with an updated zoning use table.

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

Edgefield County official permit resources

• Edgefield County Building and Planning
• Edgefield County iWorQ permit and inspection portal
• Building and Planning fee schedule
• Minimum building valuation data
• Building a Home in Edgefield County (revised 2025)
• Installing your manufactured home in Edgefield County

Edgefield County permit FAQ

Who issues building permits in Edgefield County?

Edgefield County Building and Planning, 210 Penn St., Edgefield (803-637-4073). It covers the unincorporated county and the Towns of Edgefield, Johnston and Trenton.

How much does a building permit cost in Edgefield County?

It depends on the value of the work: $20 for the first $1,000 plus $6 for each additional $1,000 up to $50,000, with lower rates per $1,000 above that. Commercial projects add a plan review fee of half the permit fee.

Can I apply online?

Yes. The department is paperless and takes permit applications and inspection requests through its iWorQ portal.

Can a homeowner pull a permit in Edgefield County?

Yes, for your own home. You sign an Owner Builder Disclosure Statement, have it notarized and recorded, and agree not to sell, rent or lease the building for two years; subcontractors must still be licensed.

How long is an Edgefield County permit valid?

180 days from issuance or from the last inspection, with one 180-day extension if you ask in writing and show good cause.

What does it cost if I fail an inspection?

The fee schedule lists re-inspections at $40, $80 and $120. The homebuilding packet says re-inspection fees apply after the second failure of the same inspection and must be paid before any more inspections are scheduled.

Simplify Edgefield County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in South Carolina. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Edgefield County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.