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Frequent Questions
Expand/Contract Questions and Answers
- All FOIA requests should be directed to the City Manager's office for distribution to the appropriate departments. Please view the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request page for more information.
- State law permits municipalities to require property owners of property outside of the City limits to sign annexation agreements in exchange for City services. Many municipalities in South Carolina and around the nation, including Rock Hill, have such policies.
During annexation of Miller Pond, many property owners said they were unaware of a Water and/or Sewer Agreement on the property or that they did not understand it when they signed it.
City Council created this form to explain the Water and/or Sewer Agreement in more understandable terms and to ensure awareness of the existence of the Agreement.When an owner signs a Water and/or Sewer Agreement, he/she agrees to sign any and every successive Water and/or Sewer Service Agreement and Annexation Petition. The City Attorney requires the City to obtain new agreements when substantial changes are made to the agreement. The City may require any property owner with an agreement dated before 7/17/09 to sign a new Water and/or Sewer Service Agreement.
It depends. If your property is contiguous to the City, it could be annexed immediately or relatively quickly.
If your property is non-contiguous, it depends on how close the property is to the City limits and the growth pressures in that area.
If you are interested in being annexed, please call us to discuss timing. The City will contact you when it is interested in pursuing annexation.- The City can estimate the cost/cost savings of annexation for your property. Please contact Alex Boyce to request an annexation analysis.
An Annexation Petition is the official annexation document. Once the signed Annexation Petition is received, the City will begin the annexation process. It takes about 60 days from when the signed Annexation Petition is received for the property to be annexed. The property is annexed when City Council approves the second reading.
- You can use the Interactive GIS Map online to search for an address.
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.
Please view our handout on Work Exempt from Building Permits.
The following printable brochures provide more information:
Do I Need a Building Permit? - Residential
Do I Need a Building Permit? - CommercialThe 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 windowsThe most common types of projects that require permits are:
Building or repair of structures
Building of detached structures
Garages and Carports
Storage BuildingsConstruction trailer or “sales” trailer
Electrical Permits:
• Electrical service changes or replacement
• Re-wiring
• Low voltage
• Commercial security and alarm systems if not associated with new constructionPlumbing:
• 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)
• VentingThis list is not all inclusive. Please call 803-329-5590 for additional information. Some types of work are exempt from requiring a permit. View our handout on Work Exempt from Building Permits.
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. For large additions and construction of new homes, a homeowner must complete an Owner/Builder 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.
Helpful Brochures
Hire a Licensed Contractor
Consumer Guide to Home Improvement ContractsWhat are the requirements for Contractors to obtain permits and perform work in the City of Rock Hill?
All contractors working inside City limits are required to have a City of Rock Hill Business License and depending on the type of work to be done, a State of South Carolina Contractors License. View Contractor Licensing Requirements for detailed licensing information. Please contact the Permit Application Center at 803-329-5590 with any questions.
- Please see the list of current codes enforced by the City.
For general information contact the Planning and Development Department at 803-329-5590. Below is a list of contacts by topic.
Commercial Building Code
803-329-5581 or 803-329-5598
Commercial Building Plan Submittal Information
803-329-5698 Erosion Control, Grading Permits, Impact Fees
803-329-5515 Inspections & Permit Questions/ 24 hour Inspection Request Line
803-329-5590 Residential Building Code
803-329-5587 Rezoning and Public Hearing Info Hotline
803-329-2599 Zoning and Land Development Information
803-329-5587 For a list of all Planning employees, visit our Staff Directory.
- Building permits are good for 6 months or 6 months from the date of the last approved inspection. If an inspection is never scheduled the permit will automatically expire in 6 months. To keep your permit current you must have an approved inspection within 6 months.
- All deeds and surveys are recorded at the York County Clerk of Courts office at the Register of Deeds. Their phone number is 803-684-8510. You can also search and view property records online.
Yard Sale permits are issued through the Customer Service Department. You can fill out the Yard Sale Permit Application online. You can also contact Customer Service at 803-325-2500.
You can view the regulations for yard sales/garage sales online in the City's municipal code under Chapter 11, Article III, https://library.municode.com/HTML/10044/level3/MUCO_CH11BU_ARTIIIGASA.html#TOPTITLE.
A Special Events Permit is needed for events taking place in publicly owned areas. These permits are issued by Hometown Security.
Certain events or temporary uses on private property require a Temporary Use Permit. This may include events like festivals, carnivals, sales of fireworks and athletic events. These permits are issued by the Planning and Development Department.
- These permits are issued by the York County Sherriff's office. Their phone number is 803-628-3059. They are located at the Moss Justice Center, 1675-2A York Hwy., York SC 29745.
The Comprehensive Plan 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.
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 2020.
The unincorporated Urban Services Area 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.
- RFATS is a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and stands for Rock Hill - Fort Mill Area Transportation Study. MPOs are local agencies that are responsible for regional transportation planning. In order to be part of the Federal transportation planning process and to receive Federal transportation funds, an urban area must have an MPO. Each MPO has a range of duties including the production of the LRTP for its area. The overall aim of these Federal requirements is to ensure continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning for urban areas, and MPOs are central to that process.
- Visit the Street Ownership Map to find out who is responsible for maintaining your street.