Newberry, South Carolina Building Permit Guide

Inside Newberry city limits, the City’s Planning and Development office in City Hall at 1330 College Street issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, demolition and sign permits, and applications can be filed on the City’s online forms. Any work on a building valued at $500 or more needs a permit, priced on the City’s fee schedule effective July 1, 2026.

What requires a permit in Newberry?

The City requires a building permit for any new construction or renovation on a building valued at $500 or more, whether the owner or a contractor does the work. Work under $500 needs no permit fee unless an inspection is required.

Newberry building department: who handles permitting

Planning and Development covers building construction and renovation, codes, permits, zoning and land development inside the city, and also staffs the Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Architectural Review Board and Construction Board of Appeals. Wayne Redfern is Director of Planning and Development and Chief Building Inspector. Land outside the city limits is permitted by the Newberry County Building Department at 1512 Martin Street.

Newberry permits: who can apply

• Owners: an owner doing the work takes out the building permit and signs the Homeowner’s Disclosure Statement.
• Contractors: work done by a contractor must be done by a firm licensed by the state, and every contractor needs a City of Newberry business licence. A residential contractor may work on a commercial building only when the work is valued under $5,000.
• Business owners: the City’s W.E.B. (Welcoming and Enabling Business) Team meets new businesses, using the Building and Zoning Compliance form, to check zoning, whether the Architectural Review Board must review the project, and what changes a building will need.

The Building Official reviews every set of building plans for code compliance before a permit is issued.

Newberry permit cost

The City’s Comprehensive Fee Schedule, adopted by Ordinance No. 2026-1004 and effective July 1, 2026, uses one valuation table for building, renovation, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sign permits.

For example, work valued at $300,000 has a permit fee of $1,550 ($750 plus 200 × $4), plus $775 if plan review is required.

Other City charges a new building may meet: a 5/8-inch water tap at $2,500, a 4-inch sewer tap at $2,550, and capacity fees of $1,250 for water and $2,750 for sewer per residential unit (300 gallons a day). Zoning letters cost $25 for verification and $75 for compliance, and a variance $100.

Historic district and business locations

Historic Buildings District: before a building or demolition permit is issued for new construction, alterations or additions in the district, the Architectural Review Board must grant a Certificate of Appropriateness. A permit issued without one is void.

Moving a business: a tenant taking space last used by the same type of business within the past 6 months generally needs no changes unless the building was damaged or altered without permits, though exit signs, emergency lights, clear exits and a posted address must be in order. Adding or removing walls, or new HVAC, wiring or plumbing, needs a permit. A change of use almost always means bringing the building and site up to current codes.

Newberry permit application: how to apply step by step

Inspections in Newberry

Whoever is doing the work must notify the City’s Building Inspector (803-321-1019) when each required stage is ready. A final inspection is needed before a certificate of occupancy is issued, and a business cannot open until then. Each re-inspection costs $50.

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

Newberry permit forms and official resources

• City of Newberry Planning & Development
• City of Newberry permit forms
• Building Construction
• Comprehensive Fee Schedule (effective July 1, 2026)
• Homeowner’s Disclosure Statement
• Zoning Ordinance Article 5 (zoning districts and historic overlay)
• W.E.B. Team guide for new businesses

Newberry building permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in the City of Newberry?

The City’s Planning and Development office in City Hall, 1330 College Street (803-321-1019). Newberry County handles land outside city limits.

When do I need a building permit in Newberry?

For any work on a building valued at $500 or more, whether done by the owner or a contractor.

How much is a building permit in Newberry?

It is based on valuation: $300,000 of work pays $1,550, plus $775 if plan review is required.

Can a homeowner pull a permit?

Yes. An owner doing the work gets the building permit and signs the Homeowner’s Disclosure Statement.

Do I need approval for work in the historic district?

Yes. Exterior construction, alterations and additions in the Historic Buildings District need a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Architectural Review Board before the permit.

Do contractors need a City business licence?

Yes, every contractor working in the city needs one, along with the state licence.

Simplify Newberry 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 Newberry permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.