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Building Permit & Business Licenses



Building Inspector/Code Enforcement
Phone:
(843) 423 8238
Fax:
(843) 423-8191

Haleigh Owens 
Business License Coordinator &
Building Permits Tech. 

2523 East Highway 76
P.O. Box 1091
Marion, SC  29571
Phone: (843) 423-3904 ext. 147
Fax: (843) 423-8191
howens@marionsc.org


Kimberly Greene 
Building Permit Tech.
Phone: (843) 423- 3904 ext. 138
Fax: (843) 423-8191
kgreene@marionsc.org

Office Hours:
 
Monday -Friday 
8:30 AM-5:00 PM
 
The Marion County Building Inspections Office enforces all county ordinances and state laws relating to the International Building code(s), building permits, business license, and code enforcement of local ordinances including: 

Plan review of new building construction and additions/remodeling jobs, Onsite inspection during construction projects Enforcement of the National Flood Insurance Program 2009 IECC (Energy Code)

Our office ONLY accepts cash or check as the method of payment. 

Checks are made payable to Marion County.

When Do I Need a Permit?

Any project on commercial or residential buildings, the value of which exceeds $1000 and/or 200 sq. ft., requires a permit.

What do I need to obtain a Construction Permit?
  • Obtain a zoning compliance permit (Tuesday & Thursday only) 
  • Submit a receipt showing water/sewer tap has been paid (if applicable)
  • Submit two (2) sets of plans (if required)
  • Complete a Building permit application
  • If the Homeowner is completing the work themselves, an affidavit must be signed and recorded with the Clerk of Court Office. 
  • Present State of South Carolina Contractor's License & Identification Card (Contractors only)
  • Obtain a Marion County business license (Contractors only)
  • A signed Contract Agreement between the contractor and the homeowner is a MUST. (No permit will be issued without a SIGNED contract of BOTH signatures)

When do I need architectural plans?
All plans for an assembly, educational, institutional, or hazardous occupancy of any size, and all plans for commercial buildings larger than five thousand (5000) square feet or in a high wind zone of 130mph, must be prepared by a licensed architect or a registered engineer.
Construction Plans & Plan Review Details:

Construction plans (if applicable) will be marked as having been reviewed by the County of Marion Building Official and will bear the signature of the reviewer. These plans must be kept on the job site, protected from the weather, and available for review by the inspector during the entire construction period. Inspections will only be done from approved drawings. Changes to the project will not be considered until reviewed and approved by the Building Official. 

What codes govern construction in Marion County?
We currently use the 2021 edition of the International Codes (IBC, IRC, IFC, IPC, IMC, IFGC). The 2020 Edition of the NEC and the 2009 IECC are enforced. The actual date of code edition changes is mandated by the state government so that all jurisdictions in South Carolina are consistent with which editions they are enforcing. 

When you obtain a permit you will receive:
  • Permit
  • Permit receipt
  • Contractor, Subcontractor, Vendor, Supplier Listing (if applicable)

Contractor, Subcontractor
It is the responsibility of the Contractor and Subcontractors to make sure their Marion County business license is current. If an unlicensed contractor is working on the site without a Marion County business license, his work will be stopped. The contractor also may be fined and the permit may be placed on hold until the contractor(s) comply with the Building and License department. 

Permit Holders Responsibility
It is the permit holders’ responsibility to contact the Building department for required inspections at the appropriate time of construction. If you cover up work before it is inspected, you may be required to remove it for the required inspection to be performed.
 
Required Inspections
The Building Official, upon the request of the permit holder or the authorized agent, will make the following inspections and will notify the permit holder of any code violations which must be corrected prior to starting the next phase of construction. 

Building:
  • Foundation inspection
  • Pier and curtain wall 
  • Floor slab and floor framing
  • Exterior wall before covering
  • Wall tie inspection if the brick veneer
  • Frame inspection: To be made after all roof, all framing, fire blocking, and bracing is in place, all concealed wiring, all pipes, chimneys, ducts, and vents are complete. 
  • Final inspection: To be made after the building is completed and ready for occupancy. 
Electrical:
  • Underground inspection: To be made after trenches are excavated, conduit or cable installed, and before any backfill is put in place.
  • Rough-in inspection: To be made after the roof, framing, fire blocking, and bracing is in place and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes. 
  • Final inspection: To be made after the building is complete, all required electrical fixtures are in place and properly connected or protected, and the structure is ready for occupancy. 
Plumbing:
  • Underground inspection: To be made after trenches or ditches are excavated, piping installed, and before any backfill is put in place.
  • Rough-in inspection: To be made after the roof, framing, fire blocking, and bracing is in place and all soil, waste, and vent piping is complete, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes.
  • Final inspection: To be made after the building is complete, all plumbing fixtures are in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy. 
Mechanical:
  • Underground inspection: To be made after trenches or ditches are excavated, underground duct and fuel piping installed, and before any backfill is put in place. 
  • Rough-in inspection: To be made after the roof, framing, fire blocking, and bracing are in place, and all ducting, and other concealed components are complete, and prior to the installation of wall or ceiling membranes. 
  • Final inspection: To be made after the building is complete, the mechanical system is in place and properly connected, and the structure is ready for occupancy. 
Gas: 
  • Rough piping inspection: To be made after all new piping authorized by the permit has been installed, and before any such piping has been covered or concealed or any fixtures or gas appliances have been connected. 
  • Final piping inspection: To be made after all piping authorized by the permit is installed and after all, portions which are to be concealed by plastering or otherwise have been so concealed, and before any fixtures or gas appliances have been connected. This inspection shall include a pressure test. 
  • Final inspection: To be made on all new gas work authorized by the permit and such portions of existing systems, as may be affected by new work or any changes, to ensure compliance with all the requirements of this code and to assure that the installation and construction of the gas system are in accordance with reviewed plans.