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Home : Administration : Building Permits


Permit Routing
The City of Goose Creek will process all building permits in a timely manner. When feasible, all commercial building permits will be processed through the appropriate departments simultaneously to expedite the issuance of permits. Building permits will not be issued verbally and will not be issued to individuals/businesses that do not meet the guidelines established by the State of South Carolina, City Ordinances or the applicable building codes. Building permits will not be issued to contractors until all business license fees are paid.

Each building permit will be tracked and numbered through our building projects software.  The building permits clerk will obtain all required documentation from the requester and submit this to the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) for review.  The DPZ will then review and return the permit to the building permits clerk, who will either issue the requested permit or forward the permit application to the Building Inspectors.  The Building Inspectors will then review and return the permit to the building permits clerk, who will then issue the requested permit.

Not all building permits will require a review by the Building Inspectors and/or Department of Planning and Zoning.  Some permits will still require a building inspection; the building permits clerk will provide a list of required inspections to the individual requesting a permit.

Residential Permits

The following is a list of permits that will be processed the same day by the permits clerk, they will not be submitted to the City Planner’s Office or the Building Inspection Office:

  • HVAC Equipment Change-Outs
  • Electrical Upgrades
  • Gas Furnace Change-Outs and Pressure Tests
  • Water Heater Change-Outs
  • Gas Lights & Gas Logs
  • Painting
  • Vinyl Siding Installation
  • Wood Rot, Minor Non-Structural Repairs
  • Replacement Windows
  • Re-Roofs and Repairs

The following is a list of permits that will be processed only by the City Planner’s Office for approval:

  • Pool Permits
  • Accessory Structures
  • Decks

The following is a list of building and development permits that will be processed by the City Planner’s Office and Building Inspection Office for approval:

  • New Construction
  • Additions and Structural Repairs
  • Accessory Structures 200 Square Feet or More 
  • Accessory Structures With Electrical Service
  • Landscaping
  • Parking Lot Renovations

Commercial Permits

The following is a list of permits that will be processed only by the City Planner’s Office for approval:

  • HVAC Change-Out
  • Painting Exterior
  • Exterior Renovations
  • Tents
  • Signs (New, Alterations and Repairs)

The following is a list of permits that will be processed by the City Planner’s Office and the Building Inspection Office for approval:

  • New Construction
  • Additions and Structural Repairs
  • Accessory Structures
  • Signs – New (Electrical and Wind Loading)

For all new developments and major commercial renovations the Planning Department will set up a preconstruction meeting that will be attended by the builder/developer and a representative from each City Department.

City of Goose Creek Inspection Guidelines for Electrical Upgrades to Single Family Dwellings

The City of Goose Creek has adopted the 2002 National Electric Code as the reference for all electrical work performed in the City. A permit is required to perform electrical upgrades; the permit must be displayed and visible from the street.

When the house is re-wired from non grounded to grounded receptacles, or a new, or larger capacity main service panel is installed in the home, the entire electrical system must be brought up to the current code. This includes:

  • All receptacles in bathrooms, garages, kitchen countertops and receptacles on the exterior must be on GFCI Circuits.
  • Smoke detectors must be hard wired into a dedicated circuit, with 9V-battery backup. By code smoke detectors are required in every bedroom, the hall leading to the bedrooms, and at every change in floor level.
  • The installation of a new service wire or a new meter can outside of the house does not require the entire electrical system to be brought up to current code.

In all cases, an inspection is required before power is restored to the structure.

*Most Inspections require ½ to 1 full day notice. Please call the Inspection Office at 863-5212 to request an inspection or if you have any questions.

City of Goose Creek Inspection Guidelines for Re – Roofing a Single Family Dwelling

By City ordinance, A permit is required for any roofing work performed by a contractor. The permit must be displayed and visible from the street.

Section 1504 of the 1997 Standard Building Code requires six (6) nails per shingle. Nails shall penetrate through the roof shingle and at least ¾" into or through the roof sheathing.

Section 1503.4.1 (6) of the SBC states: "Replacement of roof shingles shall be required by code when the existing roof has two or more layers of shingles". In this case a complete tear off of the old shingles must be done before new shingles can be installed.

Contractors are required to remove all roofing debris from the site.

Patching and Repairs: When the area to be patched exceeds 25% of the total area of the roof, the entire roof must be re-shingled. (1995 CABO One & Two Family Code – Section 910.)

No inspections are required.

Call the Inspection Department at 863-5212 if you have any questions.

City of Goose Creek Inspection Guidelines for Obtaining a Natural Gas Meter from SCE&G

Section 311 of the 1997 Standard Gas Code (SGC), as adopted by the City of Goose Creek, requires a pressure test to be performed on gas lines before the local utility company will set the gas meter. This pressure test ensures that the system is not leaking gas into or under the home or business.

The procedure below must be followed to have a Natural Gas Meter set at your home or business:

  • The contractor or homeowner must visit City Hall and obtain a Gas Permit for the work. Without the permit the Inspectors will not approve the pressure test. The permit must be displayed at the residence or business.
  • A Heating and Air conditioning contractor, a licensed plumber or the homeowner may perform the pressure test. Place a pressure gauge on the gas line where the meter will be installed. Pressurize the gas line to a minimum of 9 PSI. The gas line must hold this pressure for a minimum of thirty minutes.
  • Call the Building Inspection Office at 863-5212 to schedule an inspection. The inspector will visit the site, verify the test and call SCE&G and release the meter to be set. The Inspector will leave a PASS/FAIL sticker on the gas line, if the permit holder is not present.
  • After the clearance has been granted the homeowner or business owner must call SCE&G to order service. SCE&G will schedule a time for your gas meter to be installed.

    *Most Inspections require ½ to 1 full day notice. Please call the Inspection Office at 863-5212 if you have any questions.