Functions

The major function of this department is to issue building permits and inspect new construction and improvements to all buildings located within the unincorporated area of Horry County. The building inspection branch of the Code Enforcement Department also manages the enforcement of the National Flood Insurance Program and performs annual fire inspections on commercial buildings located in the unincorporated areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Building Permit?
"It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or improve any building at a cost in excess of five hundred dollars ($500.00) (including materials and labor) outside the corporate limits of any municipality in the county, unless an application has been filed with and a permit granted by the county building inspection department."..."The fee for the permit shall be set by the county council. This provision shall not apply to any free standing residential building two hundred (200) square feet or less (excluding commercial)." Horry County Code of Ordinances, section 6-3. This shall not apply to replacing shingles or carpet unless structural sheathing is to be replaced.

What do I need to get a building permit?
If your building or addition is a commercial type the following types of information must be submitted for review, regardless of size. (all plans must be drawn to scale) (allow twenty days for review)
- Completed building permit application
- Three copies of Site plans drawn to scale with existing and proposed structures
- Two complete sets of architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans showing the fire hydrant location and 1 civil/site plan
The following information must also be submitted for commercial buildings prior to issuance of the building permit:
- Approval of sediment and erosion control and stormwater drainage plans by DHEC/OCRM (tel. 843.626.7217)
- Verification of sewer service from DHEC or appropriate Sewer Company
- Plan review approval from the Murrells Inlet/Garden City Fire Department if the building is located within their fire service area (tel. 843.651.5143)
- Copy of contractor's license and a notarized letter allowing someone to act as his/her agent if someone other than license holder is picking up.
If your building or addition is a residential one or two family dwelling type and less than or equal to four hundred (400) square feet the following type of information must be submitted for review. (all plans must be drawn to scale)
- Completed building permit application
- Two site plans drawn to scale (zoning compliance)
If your building or addition is a residential one or two family dwelling type and is greater than four hundred (400) square feet the following quantities and types of information must be submitted for review. (all plans must be drawn to scale) (allow three to five days for review)
- Completed building permit application
- Two site plans drawn to scale
  Plans - 2 copies of plans drawn to scale with wind and seismic design per 2003 IRC (with original SC engineer or architect seal).
The following information must also be submitted for residential one and two family buildings prior to issuance of the building permit:
- Verification of sewer service from DHEC or appropriate Sewer Company
- Contractor document (contractor license information and if someone other than contractor is obtaining permit must have notarized letter of authorization to secure permit for contractor
Regardless of building type, if the building is located within a 100 year floodplain as identified by the National Flood Insurance Program, additional information will be required. Contact the Horry County Floodplain Manager for additional information.
How much does a building permit cost?
New Commercial buildings
A plan review fee of fifteen (.15) cents per square foot must be paid when plans are submitted for review. If the plans can be approved, the building permit will cost thirty (.30) cents per square foot when permit is issued and will be a minimum of fifty dollars ($50) plus Zoning fees. Plan revisions will cost a minimum fee of twenty-five dollars ($25).
New Residential one and two family buildings
A plan review fee of ten (.10) cents per square foot must be paid when plans are submitted for review. If the plans can be approved, the building permit will cost twenty-five cents (.25) per square foot when the permit is issued and will be a minimum of fifty dollars ($50) plus Zoning fees. Plan revisions will cost twenty-five dollars ($25).
Mobile homes
A $5.00 registration fee (if registered within fifteen (15) days of purchase, if not a $5 penalty will be added) must be paid to the Horry County Tax Assessors Department (843-915-5041) prior to issuance of building permit. All taxes must be paid on any pre-owned manufactured home before it can be registered and mobile home decal or moving permit issued.
1. New Mobile Home:
  a. Title
  b. Form 400
  c. Form 100/500 with complete MH description
2. Used Mobile Home:
  a. Information listed in #1
  b. Previous owner's name or name listed on tax rolls
  c. Sticker # off MH
  d. All taxes paid
3. Mobile Home moved into Horry County from another county or state:
  a. Information listed in #1
  b. Moving permit issued by the county/state
  c. Paid tax receipt for current year from other county
If the mobile home permit can be issued, the building permit will cost one-hundred fifty dollars ($150) plus Zoning fees.
Alterations
Building permit costs will be based on appendix B of the 1997 Standard Building Code plus Zoning fees.

Common Terms

Alteration - Any change or modification in construction or occupancy.
Base flood - the flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
Breakaway wall - A wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under lateral water loads.
Building - Any structure built for support, shelter or enclosure for any occupancy.
Coastal high hazard area - An area subject to high velocity waters caused by, but not limited to, hurricane wave wash. These areas are designated on a FIRM as Zone VE or V.
Elevation Certificate - A federal form that must be completed by a licensed surveyor or engineer that verifies the Base Flood Elevation, the height of the top of the lowest floor or the height of the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural member above Mean Sea Level.
Enclosed building - A building that encloses a space and does not have openings that qualify it as a partially enclosed building.
Existing construction - Any structure for which the "start of construction" commenced before June 26, 1978.
Farm buildings - Structures, other than residences and structures appurtenant thereto, for on-farm use (barns, sheds, poultry houses, etc.).
FIRM - Flood Insurance Rate Map
Floodway - The channel of a river or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one (1) foot. Engineering analysis is required for any development or fill in a floodway.
Floor (lowest) - The top surface of an enclosed area in a building (including basement), i.e., top of slab in concrete slab construction or top of wood flooring in wood frame construction. The term does not include the floor of a garage used solely for parking vehicles.
Habitable space - A space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating or cooking.
Highest adjacent grade - The highest natural elevation of ground surface, prior to construction, next to the proposed walls of a structure.
Main wind force resisting system (MWFRS) - An assemblage of major structural elements assigned to provide support for secondary members and cladding. The system primarily receives wind loading from more than one surface.
Open building - A building having all walls at least 80% open.
Partially enclosed buildings - A building which complies with all of the following conditions:
- the total area of openings in a wall or wall and roof that receives positive external pressure exceeds the sum of the areas of openings in the balance of the building envelope (walls and roof); and
- the total area of openings in a wall or wall and roof that receives positive external pressure exceeds 5% of the area of that wall or wall and roof ; and
- the openings in the balance of the building envelope do not exceed 20%.
Repair - The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance.
Site - A parcel of land bounded by a property line or a designated portion of a public right-of-way.
Substantial improvement - Any combination of repairs, reconstruction, alteration, or improvements to a building, taking place during a five year period, in which the cumulative cost equals or exceeds fifty (50) percent of the market value of the building. Substantial improvement of a non-conforming building is prohibited. The term does not apply to improvements required by health, sanitary, or fire and life safety codes which are solely necessary to assure safe living conditions.

Major Projects

We are currently trying to place mobile computers in all of the building inspection cars so that as soon as an inspection is completed the inspector can download pass/fail data into the mainframe computer. Builders will then be able to pick up a telephone, call the computer, and retrieve results of an inspection by entering building permit number.

Interesting Facts

Plans for assembly, educational, institutional and hazardous occupancies regardless of size and all commercial buildings greater than five thousand (5000) square feet must be prepared by licensed architect and engineers.
All buildings constructed in an AE flood zone shall be elevated so the lowest floor is located not less than twelve (12) inches above the level of base flood. Proper height must be verified by an "finished construction" elevation certificate.
All buildings constructed in a VE flood zone shall be elevated so the bottom of the lowest supporting horizontal member is located not less than twelve (12) inches above the level of base flood. Proper height must be verified by an "finished construction" elevation certificate.
All buildings constructed in a flood zone A without an established base flood elevation shall be elevated so the lowest floor is located not less than twenty-four (24) inches above the highest adjacent grade. Proper height will be verified by the building inspector. An elevation certificate must be completed by the homeowner or licensed surveyor/engineer.
Mobile homes located in a flood zone shall have a platform for the air conditioning condenser constructed above the level of base flood in order for the inspection to pass.
The Horry County Code Enforcement Department is currently enforcing the following codes and editions along with their referenced Standards:
- International Building Code and Appendices A and H
- International Fire Code
- International Fuel Gas Code
- International Mechanical Code and Appendix A
- International Plumbing Code and Appendices E and F
- International Energy Conservation Code
- International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings
- Standard Swimming Pool Code
- Standard Unsafe Building Abatement Code
- National Electrical Code

Downloadable Forms

Contact Information

Contacts:	Director of Code Enforcement David Jacobs Asst. Director of Code Enforcement Hubert Mishoe Floodplain Manager Michael O'Dea Commercial Chief Inspector Ralph Logan Commercial Plan Examiner Jay Gause Commercial Plan Examiner Jerry Canady Commercial Plan Expediter Sue Long Commercial Plan Reviewer Edwin Hardee Residential Chief Inspector Robin Fowler Residential Chief Inspector Wayne Fox Residential Chief Inspector James Johnson Residential Plan Examiner Kevin Spangler Residential Plan Expediter Mary Allen Residential Plan Reviewer Michael Farria
Mailing address:	Horry County Code Enforcement Department Government & Justice Center - Suite 1D09 1301 Second Ave, Conway, SC 29526
Physical location:	1301 Second Ave Conway, SC
Phone:	(843) 915-5090
Fax:	(843) 915-6090

Office Hours

The Code Enforcement Department is open from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, Monday thru Friday. The office will cease issuing permits at 4:30 pm.

E-Mail your comments on information contained in this site to The Public Information Office.
Questions or problems regarding this site should be directed to Website Technical Support.
This is the official web site for Horry County Government.
Copyright � Horry County, South Carolina. All rights reserved.