Official Website of the City of Rock Hill, South Carolina (SC)

Building permits are required for any owner, contractor, or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system.

Building permits are not required for the following:
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work.
• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 sq. ft. However, a zoning permit is required for these structures.
• Retaining walls which are not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall as long as the wall is not providing structural support.
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over any basement or story below.
• Movable cases, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches in height.

To see all of the exemptions and other permit requirements, you can view the City municipal ordinance by clicking here. Section 10-74 lists all work exempt from requiring a permit.

When is a building permit required?

The following items require a permit:

• New houses or buildings
• Room Additions or expansions
• Structural repairs, remodeling and alterations
• Accessory structures such as sheds, gazebos, decks, patio slabs, etc.
• Carports and detached garages
• Replacement of heating and air conditioning equipment
• Re-piping of water lines, replacement of sewer lines and replacement of water heaters
• Modifications to electrical service and wiring
• Installing gas lines
• Re-roofing, new siding, and replacement windows

The most common types of projects that require permits are:

Building Permits:

Building or repair of structures
Building of detached structures
Garages and Carports
Storage Buildings

Fences

Signs

Construction trailer or “sales” trailer
Grading
Swimming pools
Roofing

Electrical Permits:
• Electrical service changes or replacement
• Re-wiring
• Low voltage
• Commercial security and alarm systems if not associated with new construction

Plumbing:
• Water systems
• Sewer systems
• Irrigation systems
• Cross connection control
• Fire sprinkler
• Water heater replacement

Mechanical:
• Air conditioning equipment
• Heating equipment
• Boilers
• Combustion and ventilation air
• Chimneys and vents
• Ventilation systems
• Exhaust systems
• Solar energy utilization
• Refrigeration
• Ducts and duct system
• Incinerators
• Hood fire suppression systems

Gas:
• Piping installation (air test required on all gas line work)
• Venting

This list is not all inclusive. Please call 803/329-5590 for additional information. Some types of work are exempt from requiring a permit. To see all of the exemptions you can view the City municipal ordinance by clicking here. Section 10-74 lists all work exempt from requiring a permit.

What are the necessary requirements to obtain permits and perform work in the City of Rock Hill?

All contractors are required to have a City of Rock Hill Business License and depending of the type of work to be done, a State of South Carolina Contractors License. Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and gas contractors are also required to have a Master Certification Card. View Contractor Licensing Requirements for detailed licensing information. Please contact the Permit Application Center at 803/329-5590 with any questions.

Can I do work on my own house without hiring a contractor and obtain permits as the homeowner?

Yes, there are some types of work you are allowed to perform on your own home. A homeowner is basically allowed to perform any type of remodel or repair that does not include electrical, mechanical (heating and air) or gas. Electrical, mechanical and gas work is required to be done by a South Carolina state licensed contractor. There is an exception for a homeowner with electrical knowledge. To do electrical work on their residence a homeowner must pass a test of their electrical knowledge. The test is administered by the City of Rock Hill Inspections Division. For large additions and construction of new homes, a homeowner must complete an Owner/Building affidavit swearing that they plan to live in their home for two years and are completing the work for themselves or a family member. This affidavit must be recorded at the Clerk of Courts office before a permit can be issued. You should obtain a permit for any work that requires a permit before starting the work. All permits require inspections.

Caution: If a contractor asks you as the homeowner to obtain the permit, we advise that you do not. Much of the time in that situation the contractor may not be properly insured or licensed and does not want to be responsible for his work. When you obtain the permit you are assuming the responsibility for the work being done. If you have any doubt about a contractors license, please call 803/329-5590.

Who is a contractor?

Any individual doing work on someone elses property is considered a contractor and shall meet the contractor licensing requirements.

Who should I contact?

For general information regarding building permits and inspections, contact the Permit Application Center (PAC) at 803-329-5590 or email the PAC.

For other inquiries, please contact the following:

Commercial Plans Examiner	803/329-5581
Commercial Plan Submittal Information	803/329-5698
Planning and Development Dept.	803/329-5590
Erosion Control	803/329-5515
Inspections & Permitting Questions/24 Hour Inspection Request Line	803/329-5590
Residential Plans Examiner	803-329-5587
Rezoning Info Hotline	803/329-2599
Zoning & Land Development Information	803/329-5587

For a listing of all the Planning and Development Department employees, please see our Staff Directory.

What building codes does the City enforce?

Please see the list of current codes enforced by the City.

Do I need a grading permit?

The purpose of a grading or erosion control permit is to regulate stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff is unfiltered water that reaches streams and lakes by flowing across various surfaces like roads, parking lots, driveways and land. As stormwater flows over these sites, it picks up pollutants like sediment, debris and chemicals which can lower water quality and harm or kill fish and other wildlife. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) manage a statewide stormwater program. The City of Rock Hill is responsible for enforcing it on a local level.

The following projects will need a SCDHEC National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and grading permit from the City:

Commercial

Any commercial project disturbing one (1) acre or greater, that is not part of a larger prior development plan.

Any commercial project, regardless of the size of disturbance, which is considered part of a larger prior development plan with a prior NPDES permit.

Residential

Any residential project with a lot one (1) acre or greater not located in a subdivision.

Any residential project, regardless of the lot size, that is part of a subdivision that was developed under a NPDES permit.

Commercial Plan Review frequently asked questions.

Please click here for a list of commercial plan review frequently asked questions.

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

The General Plan 2000-2010, a Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill, South Carolina, is a policy document adopted by City Council that describes the City’s vision of future development within the corporate limits and Urban Service Area. It details the city’s existing inventory, needs and goals, and implementation strategies.

When is the Comprehensive Plan updated?

The individual elements of the Comprehensive Plan must be reviewed every 5 years to insure that the entire plan is current. Any recommended changes must be adopted. The Plan must be updated every 10 years with adopted revisions. The next update of the Comprehensive Plan will take place by 2010.

How can I have input into the Comprehensive Planning process?

Public meetings will be scheduled for later in the update process to receive citizen and stakeholder input. Continue to visit the website for updates and future meeting announcements. The update of the Comprehensive Plan is expected to take approximately 18 to 24 months.

Will the Comprehensive Plan rezone my property?

No. The Comprehensive Plan only recommends future land uses which are indicated on the City’s 2025 Rock Hill Livable City Land Use Map. This map represents the envisioned growth and development pattern for the City of Rock Hill and its Urban Services Area for the next twenty years. Any changes in zoning will still require public hearings by the Planning Commission and the City Council.

What is the urban services area (USA)?

The unincorporated USA is generally located just outside the existing City limits and represents the area Rock Hill could potentially annex and/or provide urban services to over the next twenty years.