SEABROOK ISLAND
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Building Permits

Building permits are required for all structures constructed, reconstructed, erected or modified within the Town of Seabrook Island, as well as for any other work or trade which requires a building inspection.

​Pursuant to an agreement between the town and Charleston County, the Charleston County Building Inspection Services Department is responsible for the administration and enforcement of all permitting and inspection services within the Town of Seabrook Island. Any individual seeking to obtain a permit must apply directly to Charleston County. Permit fees will be paid directly to the county, pursuant to the county's permit fee schedule. 

​Prior to applying for a building permit from the county, all applicants must first obtain a zoning permit from the Town of Seabrook Island. The purpose of the zoning permit is to ensure that all work conforms to the zoning requirements contained within the town's Development Standards Ordinance (DSO). Please note that a town zoning permit is required for ALL new construction, renovation, modifications, maintenance and accessory structures, including work which may not require a county building permit. 

​​All building permits will be valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance, unless extended by the town and county. A building permit will be considered abandoned if construction is not commenced within six months after the date of issuance, or if construction is discontinued for a period of six months.

All contractors and subcontractors doing work within the Town of Seabrook Island must have a valid town business license prior to commencing work. 

The Charleston County Building Inspection Services Department also provides floodplain management and hazard mitigation services within the Town of Seabrook Island. 

New Construction Requirements

In addition to all permitting and inspection requirements, the town requires that additional documentation be furnished at various stages during the construction process in order to verify that all new construction satisfies the requirements of the town's DSO.

All required surveys must be prepared by a registered land surveyor in the State of South Carolina. Failure to provide any required information may result in the placement of a "Stop-Work Order," the issuance of an ordinance summons and/or delay in the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

Upon completion of the building foundation, but prior to the commencement of any vertical framing, original copies of the following documents must be furnished to the town's Zoning Administrator for review and approval:
  • Foundation Survey
  • Preliminary Elevation Certificate
​Upon establishing the roof peak, but prior to the installation of sheathing, original copies of the following documents must be furnished to the town's Zoning Administrator for review and approval:
  • Certification of Height of Structure
Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, original copies of the following documents must be furnished to the town's Zoning Administrator for review and approval:
  • As-Built Survey
  • Certificate of Completion (County)
  • Sewer Inspection Certificate (Utility Commission)
  • Final Elevation Certificate

** New Flood Maps Now in Effect! **

Charleston County’s new flood maps became effective on January 29, 2021. All new construction and substantial improvements submitted on or after January 29, 2021 must comply with the new flood elevation requirements. 
  • Base Flood Elevation (BFE): To determine the BFE for any property in Charleston County, view the county's FEMA Flood Map Viewer
  • Design Flood Elevation (DFE): BFE + 2-Foot Freeboard
  • Verical Datum: Building elevations must be drawn using the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88)
Additional Resources:
  • Seabrook Island Floodplain Management Information
  • Charleston County Floodplain Management Information

Adopted Building Codes

As of January 1, 2020, the Charleston County Building Inspections Services Department enforces the following codes in the Town of Seabrook Island:
  • 2018 International Residential Code (with modifications)
  • 2018 International Building Code (with modifications)
  • 2018 International Fire Code (with modifications)
  • 2018 International Plumbing Code
  • 2018 International Fuel Gas Code (with modifications)
  • 2018 International Mechanical Code
  • ANSI A 117.1-2017 (Accessibility Code)
  • 2017 National Electrical Code (with modifications)
  • The 2009 International Energy Code
Resources from the South Carolina Building Codes Council:
  • South Carolina Building Codes
  • ​South Carolina Modifications to International Codes

More Information

Development Standards Ordinance
County Building Inspection Services
​County Permit Fee Schedule
County Permit Online Portal
Adopted Building Codes
​Town Business Licenses
Town Zoning Permits

FEMA Flood Map Viewer

Contact

Lynda Stearns
​License & Permit Specialist
​(843) 768-9121​
lstearns@townofseabrookisland.org

​
Charleston County
Building Inspection Services
(843)202-6930
buildingservices@charlestoncounty.org​
Picture
Town of Seabrook Island

2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Phone: (843) 768-9121
​Email: info@townofseabrookisland.org

Town Hall Hours:
M-F 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Privacy Policy
  • About
    • History >
      • Early History
      • Resort & Club History
      • Town History
    • Awards & Accolades
    • Community Calendar
    • Photo Gallery
    • Visitor Info
  • Government
    • Introduction
    • Mayor >
      • John Gregg
    • Town Council >
      • Jeri Finke
      • Patricia Fox
      • Barry Goldstein
      • Dan Kortvelesy
    • Town Boards >
      • ATAX Advisory Committee
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
      • Community Promotion & Engagement Committee
      • Environment & Wildlife Committee
      • Planning Commission
      • Public Safety Committee
      • Public Works Committee
      • Utility Commission
    • Ordinances >
      • Code of Ordinances
      • Development Standards Ordinance
    • Public Records >
      • Financial Records
      • Records Requests
    • Strategic Priorities >
      • 2022-23 Priorities
    • Volunteer >
      • Apply to Serve on a Town Board
  • Meetings
    • Agendas & Minutes >
      • Town Council
      • ATAX Advisory Committee
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
      • Community Promotion & Engagement Committee
      • Environment & Wildlife Committee
      • Planning Commission
      • Public Safety Committee
      • Public Works Committee
      • Utility Commission
    • Public Comment Portal >
      • Ord. 2022-08
      • Ord. 2023-01
      • Ord. 2023-02
      • Variance #181
  • Services
    • Beach Services >
      • Beach Management
      • Beach Patrol
      • Beach Rules
    • Code Enforcement
    • Emergency Preparedness >
      • Emergency Plan
      • Emergency Resources
      • Emergency Contacts
      • Emergency Contractor Lists
      • Disaster Recovery Council
      • Sign Up for Code Red
    • Floodplain Mgmt.
    • Grants >
      • Community Promotion Grants
    • Licenses & Permits >
      • Business Licenses
      • Building Permits
      • Short-Term Rental Permits
      • Zoning Permits
    • Mosquito Control
    • Municipal Court
    • Planning & Zoning >
      • Comprehensive Plan
      • Subdivision Plats
    • Public Safety >
      • Law Enforcement
      • Fire Service
      • Emergency Medical
      • AirMedCare Network
    • Utilities >
      • SIUC Website
    • Wildlife >
      • Bobcat Guardian Program
      • Dolphin Education Program
    • Bids & Proposals
    • Job Openings
  • News
    • Announcements
    • Emergency Notices
    • Local News >
      • Tidelines Blog
      • The Seabrooker
      • Island Connection
    • Social Media >
      • Facebook Page
      • Twitter Feed
      • YouTube Channel
    • COVID-19 >
      • Emergency Restrictions
      • COVID-19 Updates
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • SCDHEC (Link)
      • Accelerate SC (Link)
      • CDC (Link)
      • Coronavirus.gov (Link)
  • Links
    • Bohicket Marina
    • Camp St. Christopher
    • Charleston County
    • Explore Charleston
    • Seabrook Island Club
    • Seabrook Island POA
    • Utility Commission
  • Contact
    • Contact Town Hall
    • Staff Directory