In unincorporated Hampton County, building, electrical, mechanical, sign and moving permits come from the County Building & Planning Department at 201 Jackson Avenue West, Hampton (803-914-2127). Fees are due when you apply, starting at $55 for work valued at $3,000 or less, with a plan fee of 50% of the permit fee on new homes, and County inspections run on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
What requires a permit in Hampton County?
The County’s fee schedule applies permit fees to all buildings, structures, alterations and repairs, fire protection systems, signs, pools and fences. Its permit types are:
County permits
- New homes and commercial buildings, additions, alterations and repairs
- Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, priced on the value of parts and labor
- Demolition
- Moving a house or building, which also needs a building permit for the foundation, repairs and trade work
- Moving or placing a manufactured home, with County registration and a decal
- Signs
Planning and zoning
- Zoning approval for each new home
- Plat review and minor or major subdivisions
- Rezoning and use variance applications
- Floodplain review where a lot is in a flood zone
Farm buildings use the County’s Agriculture Affidavit, and accessory buildings have their own Accessory Structure Use form.
Who issues building permits in Hampton County?
The County Building & Planning Department reviews plans and issues permits for the unincorporated county, where the Unified Land Development Ordinance applies. It also enforces the County’s nuisance and unfit dwelling ordinances.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | B.T. Deloach Building, 201 Jackson Avenue West, Hampton, SC 29924 |
| Phone | 803-914-2127 (fax 803-914-2130) |
| permits@hamptoncountysc.org | |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →The county’s nine towns do not all follow the same route:
| Town | Building permits |
|---|---|
| Hampton | The Town’s Building division does plan review and inspections, with applications in the Hampton iWorQ portal run by CC&I Services, its contracted building department; Town Hall, 608 First St. W, 803-943-2951 |
| Brunson | CC&I Services runs the Town’s Department of Building Safety, with a Brunson iWorQ permit portal and fee schedule; CC&I, 864-586-6111 |
| Varnville | The Town has its own Building Department page and building and mobile home permit applications; Town Hall, 95 East Palmetto Ave, 803-943-2979 |
| Estill | The Town’s Department of Building and Zoning publishes its own permit applications, an online permit portal and a building codes fee schedule effective June 15, 2026. An older Town flyer sent zoning-approved applications to the County, so ask Town Hall (803-625-3243) which applies |
| Yemassee (partly in Beaufort County) | The Town runs its own building permits, payments and inspections; Planning & Zoning, 843-589-2565 ext. 3 |
| Furman, Gifford, Luray, Scotia | No official source published by the towns or the County says who issues their building permits; ask the town hall before applying |
For a mobile home moving into a town, the County brochure says the town issues the placement permit and the County completes the registration.
Hampton County permit fees
The County’s fee schedule, in force since July 1, 2024, takes fees at the time of application. New construction is valued on the square footage under roof using the latest ICC Building Valuation Data, and that value is run through the table below. A plan fee is added on new construction: 50% of the permit fee for residential and 75% for commercial.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →| Valuation | Fee |
|---|---|
| $3,000 or less | $55 |
| $3,001–$50,000 | $55 plus $7.50 per extra $1,000 |
| $50,001–$100,000 | $408 plus $6.50 per extra $1,000 |
| $100,001–$500,000 | $733 plus $5.50 per extra $1,000 |
| Over $500,000 | $2,933 plus $4.50 per extra $1,000 |
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Residential demolition | $50 (commercial priced on contract cost) |
| Moving a house or building | $200 plus the building permit |
| Moving a mobile home into or within the county | $205, covering registration and two inspections |
| Moving a mobile home out of the county | No charge once all taxes are paid |
| Mobile home electrical permit | $125 |
| Mobile home de-title | $100 |
| Re-inspection | $100 each, paid before the re-inspection |
| Sign permit | $75 plus the permit fee |
| Zoning verification letter | $30 |
| Rezoning or variance application | $200 |
For example, work valued at $200,000 pays $733 plus 100 × $5.50, or $1,283; on a new house the residential plan fee adds $641.50.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits
The County issues electrical and mechanical permits and prices plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits on the value of the job, parts and labor included, using the same fee table. Each new-home submittal names every subcontractor with a copy of the SC LLR licence, and an updated Final Subcontractor List is due before the final or CO inspection.
Restoring power to a building uses the County’s Electrical Service Reconnect Affidavit, and roofing jobs use its Roof Inspection Affidavit.
What to submit for a new house
The County’s Residential Permit Submittal Requirements (revised March 2026) list:
- The permit application, filled in completely
- One digital set of plans drawn to scale, signed and sealed by a South Carolina architect or structural engineer for the site’s wind load, with floor plan, wall section and elevations
- A REScheck report and the HVAC contractor’s Manual J and D
- A scaled site plan with setbacks, driveways and parking
- The truss package, which may be a deferred submittal
- Proof that the town’s water and sewer tap fees are paid, or a SCDES septic permit to construct (new system) or an installer’s approval of an existing tank
- E-911 address verification from the County; a PO box is not accepted
- Zoning approval, the contractor’s licence and the subcontractor list with licences
For a remodel, file the Scope of Work form with the application and the County decides what plans it needs. A driveway onto a state road may need an SCDOT encroachment permit.
Rather not deal with the Hampton County building department?
Get a free quote →How to apply for a Hampton County building permit
Property inside Hampton, Brunson, Varnville, Estill or Yemassee goes to that town’s permit office; unincorporated land goes to the County.
Obtain E-911 address verification and zoning approval, and pay the town tap fees or get the SCDES septic permit.
Assemble the sealed digital plans, REScheck, Manual J and D, site plan and licence copies, or a Scope of Work form for a remodel.
Send the application to permits@hamptoncountysc.org or bring it to 201 Jackson Avenue West; fees are due at application.
Construction can begin after the permit is issued and the plans are returned; deferred items must arrive before that part is inspected.
Call or email by 4 p.m. the day before for a Tuesday or Thursday inspection.
Inspections in Hampton County
The applicant or contractor must book each inspection by calling 803-914-2127 or emailing the permit technician by 4 p.m. on the day before. The County’s 2025 new-home brochure says inspections are carried out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Keep the permit and plans on site or in a job box, with a waste container and sanitary facilities.
For a new house the brochure lists temporary power, underground plumbing, footing and foundation, rough plumbing, electrical and HVAC, nailing and strapping, framing, insulation, the three trade finals, permanent power and the final inspection. Before the Certificate of Occupancy, hand in the termiticide report, final SCDES approval and the final subcontractor list. Re-inspections cost $100 each.
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 →Hampton County permit search and official resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Hampton County building department
- Hampton County permit applications and guidance
- Hampton County schedule of permit fees
- Hampton County residential permit submittal requirements
- Hampton County new home inspections brochure
- Hampton County mobile home permits brochure
- Hampton County Building Department FAQs
- Town of Hampton building, zoning and licensing
Hampton County permit FAQ
Who issues building permits in Hampton County?
The County Building & Planning Department (803-914-2127) for unincorporated areas. The Towns of Hampton, Varnville, Estill and Yemassee have their own permit offices, and Brunson uses CC&I Services.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →How much is a building permit in Hampton County?
$55 for work valued at $3,000 or less, rising by band; $200,000 of work costs $1,283. New construction adds a plan fee of 50% (residential) or 75% (commercial).
Can a homeowner act as his or her own contractor?
Only in the cases the County lists: work under $5,000, a home the owner and immediate family will live in for at least 2 years, or a farm or portable storage building under 5,000 sq ft used only for livestock or farm equipment. Owners sign the County’s notarized owner-builder form.
When are inspections done?
On Tuesdays and Thursdays. Request them by 4 p.m. the day before by phone or email.
What does it cost to move a mobile home in Hampton County?
$205 to move one into or within the county, including registration and two inspections. Moving one out is free once the taxes are paid.
Do I need sealed plans for a new house?
Yes. The County asks for one digital set signed and sealed by a South Carolina architect or structural engineer for the site’s wind load.
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More South Carolina permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Hampton County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.