When to use this process

Use this application when you are proposing to pave a parking lot or driveway area on a commercial site that is small enough to not require civil construction plans. We will review the proposed paving area for compliance with stormwater, landscaping, and zoning requirements.

Similar process:

Civil plans are required if any of these situations apply:

• Proposed change in drainage patterns
• Large amount of paving is proposed
• Proposed land disturbance of more than one acre

Get ready

Required document

Sketch plan - This is not required to be drawn by a design professional such as a professional engineer, although that often is helpful.

•  If a survey of the property has been recorded in the past, you may obtain it from the York County Register of Deeds office to use as the starting place for your sketch plan.

Required licenses

1. Business licenses are required for all design professionals before approval can be issued.
   • Business license webpage
2. Paving contractors must have the required state license. For licensing information related to concrete paving, asphalt paving and grading, please see S.C. Code of Laws Section 40-11-410 (2).

Helpful regulation references

Many regulations of the Zoning Ordinance (PDF) and other local development regulations effect site layout. While all apply, these are the key sections: 

• 4.3.3: Use-specific standards
• 6.6: Impervious surface
• 8.5: Tree retention
• 8.7: Landscaping
• 8.8: Parking
• 10.8.6: Special rules apply if you are voluntarily paving without expanding or renovating a building 

Also note that we review paving projects with respect to their distance from property lines. In most cases, paved areas cannot run right along property lines because doing so would interfere with planned stormwater drainage from the lot. Placing these features five feet away from property lines is usually sufficient to ensure proper drainage, but the necessary amount is determined on an individual basis based on the drainage patterns on the lot.

Apply

1. Apply Online using the button above.
   •  Click on “New Applications"
   • Click on “Commercial Building Permits"
   • Click on “Commercial Paving" and follow the prompts from there
2. At this time, we will email you an invoice for the development fees, which will be paid through our online portal. Beware of scammers trying to obtain false payment through wire transfer or other mechanisms.
3. City staff will review your plan and send comments back to the designated contact person on the application within approximately 5 business days.
   • If the plan must be revised, use the Plan Resubmittal Instructions to guide you in uploading your revised plans.

Separate submittals

If either of these pertain to your project, submit these applications separately through the "Apply Online" button above. We will review and permit each of them on its own.

1. Encroachment Requests: You may need to request permission to locate driveways, extend water/sewer lines, etc., with City, State or County rights-of-way
2. Certificate of Appropriateness application if located within one of the City's Historic Overlay Districts