Anderson County Building Permits: Where to Start
The Anderson County Building & Codes Department handles residential and commercial building permits, construction inspections, and building-code enforcement for projects under its jurisdiction in Anderson County, South Carolina.
For 2026, the county uses an OpenGov online permitting portal for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and related applications. Building permit fees were updated effective July 1, 2026.
Building & Codes Department Contact Information
- Department
- Anderson County Building & Codes
- Telephone
- (864) 260-4158
- Office Address
- 401 East River Street
Anderson, SC 29624 - Office Hours
- Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET - Permit Email
- permitting@andersoncountysc.org
- Building Official
- Barry Holcombe
- Mailing Address
- PO Box 8002
Anderson, SC 29622 - Online Portal
- County OpenGov Permitting
Contact and office information: Anderson County’s official Building & Codes webpage, checked October 8, 2026. Holiday schedules may differ.
Does Anderson County Issue Your Permit?
Check your property’s jurisdiction before applying. A mailing address containing “Anderson” does not necessarily mean the property is inside the City of Anderson.
Other municipalities within Anderson County may have different permitting arrangements. The county’s GIS and E911 guidance specifically distinguishes several municipalities and their addressing processes.
To confirm your property:
- Open the Anderson County Property Viewer.
- Locate your property by address or parcel information and review its mapped boundaries.
- If the permitting jurisdiction is unclear, call Building & Codes before submitting an application or paying a fee.
- For a new address, consult the county E911 Addressing Department. The county generally requires an open permit before assigning a new address.
Which Building Permits Do You Need?
Anderson County separates construction permits into building and trade categories. A single project may require several related approvals.
| Project | Common Permit Requirements |
|---|---|
| New single-family home, townhome, or duplex | Building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing |
| Home addition or renovation | Building plus applicable trade permits |
| Detached garage, barn, or storage building with electricity | Building and electrical |
| Residential solar panels | Building and electrical |
| Swimming pool | Building and electrical |
| Deck or foundation repair | Building permit |
| Residential HVAC replacement | Mechanical permit |
| Electrical service upgrade | Electrical permit |
| Commercial re-roofing | Building permit |
| Commercial construction or upfit | Building and applicable trade permits, plus land-use review where required |
| Manufactured-home installation or relocation | Setup/building, electrical, moving, or other approvals depending on the transaction |
Based on Anderson County’s official permit-selection guide. Requirements vary with the scope of work. This table is not an exemption determination.
How to Apply for an Anderson County Building Permit Online
The county’s OpenGov system combines applications for building and associated trade permits. You must create an account before using the portal.
- Open the portal. Visit countyofandersonsc.portal.opengov.com.
- Create your account. Select “Login,” then “Sign up using Secure Portal.” Complete registration and sign in.
- Choose the correct application. Select “Start a Project” when a building permit and at least one trade permit are needed together. For standalone work, use the appropriate residential or commercial permitting tab.
- Identify your project. Enter a descriptive project name, property location, applicant information, and the requested work details.
- Complete the required applications. For a new home, the portal may group building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and residential compliance approvals within the project.
- Upload supporting documents. Attach the required plans, septic or sewer approvals, contractor credentials, and other forms requested for your permit type.
- Submit and monitor review. Review the application, submit it through the portal, pay applicable charges when requested, and respond to any correction or documentation requests.
The county provides a six-page portal setup guide (PDF) showing the actual account-registration and project-creation screens.
Which OpenGov Tab Should You Choose?
| Situation | Portal Selection |
|---|---|
| New house or commercial building with multiple trade permits | Start a Project |
| Standalone residential deck, HVAC, electrical, or demolition permit | Residential Building Permitting |
| Standalone commercial mechanical, electrical, roofing, or demolition permit | Commercial Building Permitting |
| Manufactured-home work | Select the relevant manufactured-home application based on the transaction |
For the county’s detailed examples, consult its official “What Permits Do I Need?” guide (PDF).
Documents to Prepare Before Applying
Requirements depend on the project, but applicants should be ready to provide:
- Property address and parcel or tax-map identification.
- Owner and applicant contact information.
- Description of the work, construction value, and relevant dimensions.
- Construction drawings or site plans where required.
- Septic or sewer approval, when applicable.
- Contractor licensing and identity documentation when required by the county.
- Land-use, zoning, setback, or floodplain documentation when applicable.
The county’s portal guide states that licensed builders or contractors must upload their South Carolina LLR-issued license and identification. Authorized staff filing on a contractor’s behalf may need an Anderson County authorization card and identification.
Owner-builders should review the county’s Owner/Builder Subcontractor Listing (PDF) and confirm current state eligibility and contractor requirements before applying.
Schedule Building Inspections
Anderson County’s permitting portal supports inspection scheduling. When building and trade permits are linked under one project, the county’s portal guide says inspections are tracked and scheduled through the building permit.
- Sign in to the county permitting portal.
- Open your project and associated building permit.
- Use the available inspection-scheduling option and select the appropriate inspection type.
- Confirm that the work is ready, the site is accessible, and previous required stages are approved.
- Review the inspection result and arrange corrections or reinspections if needed.
Anderson County’s published residential checklist also instructs builders to call (864) 260-4158 before 4:00 p.m. for next-business-day inspection scheduling. Because that checklist predates the newer OpenGov workflow, confirm current scheduling cutoffs with the department rather than assuming every request qualifies for the next business day.
Common Residential Inspection Stages
| Inspection | When It Happens |
|---|---|
| Footing / foundation | After preparation, before pouring concrete |
| Under-slab plumbing | With required plumbing test in place and fittings exposed |
| Rough-in | After applicable framing and trade rough-ins, before covering the work with drywall |
| Electrical panel | When the panel is ready for the required inspection; may coincide with final inspection |
| Final | When construction is complete and previous required inspections have been approved |
Before an inspection: Display the permit, make the address visible, provide safe access, have required tests ready, and do not conceal work that must be inspected.
The county’s Residential Inspection Checklist (PDF) explains footing, rough-in, electrical, plumbing, and final inspection expectations in greater detail.
Anderson County Building Permit Fees — 2026
The following charges come from the official Building & Codes Permit Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2026.
| Permit or Service | 2026 Published Fee |
|---|---|
| Residential building — construction cost $1–$10,000 | $110 |
| Residential building — above $10,000 | $110 plus $2.80 per $1,000, as stated in county schedule |
| Commercial building — construction cost $1–$10,000 | $120 |
| Commercial building — above $10,000 | $120 plus $3.80 per $1,000, as stated in county schedule |
| Plan review | 50% of building permit fee |
| Residential plumbing | $100 plus $4 per fixture |
| Commercial plumbing | $100 plus $5 per fixture |
| Heating and air — construction cost $1–$2,000 | $100 |
| Electrical — construction cost $1–$2,000 | $100 |
| Reinspection | $65 |
| Permit renewal | $75 per applicable permit |
| Moving permit | $100 |
| Demolition permit | $100 |
Higher-value electrical and HVAC work uses additional fee brackets. Pools require building and electrical charges; residential solar uses building, electrical, and plan-review charges. Manufactured-home fees have their own schedule.
Valuation matters: For new residential construction, the county schedule lists minimum valuation rates of $150 per heated square foot, $60 per square foot for garage/storage buildings, $40 for unfinished basements, and $20 for decks. These are valuation inputs used in fee assessment, not actual construction prices.
Official 2026 Building Permit Fee Schedule (PDF) ↗
Development Standards, stormwater, and other agencies may assess separate fees. A building permit charge should not be assumed to cover every project approval.
Building Codes Enforced in Anderson County in 2026
Anderson County’s published code-adoption document identifies the following editions for its 2026 enforcement framework, including applicable South Carolina modifications:
| Code | 2026 Edition |
|---|---|
| International Building Code | 2021 IBC |
| International Residential Code | 2021 IRC |
| International Mechanical Code | 2021 IMC |
| International Plumbing Code | 2021 IPC |
| International Fire Code | 2021 IFC |
| International Fuel Gas Code | 2021 IFGC |
| National Electrical Code | 2020 NEC |
| International Energy Conservation Code | 2009 IECC |
The county also lists locally adopted permissive codes and related standards, including the International Existing Building Code, Property Maintenance Code, and Swimming Pool and Spa Code. State and local modifications may affect individual requirements.
Official references: Anderson County Adopted Codes (PDF) and the South Carolina Building Codes Council.
Other Approvals That May Affect Your Project
A valid building permit may depend on related land-use or site approvals. Common issues include the following.
Land Use, Setbacks, and Zoning
Anderson County Development Standards handles residential compliance, land-use applications, grading, subdivisions, commercial development reviews, and related requirements. For property-line setbacks or a proposed change of use, verify these requirements before preparing final construction plans.
Development Standards: (864) 260-4719 · dsapplications@andersoncountysc.org · Official department webpage.
Floodplain or Stormwater Requirements
Properties in regulated flood-risk areas may need floodplain development review, elevation documentation, or other special approvals. Grading and land-disturbance work can also trigger stormwater requirements. Review the county’s Stormwater Department and floodplain resources on its Building & Codes page before disturbing land.
Manufactured Homes and Owner-Builder Projects
Manufactured homes have separate county setup, electrical, moving, and ownership procedures. Owner-builders should confirm state-law eligibility and applicable subcontractor licensing obligations instead of assuming that ownership alone permits all construction work.
Official Forms, Portals, and Helpful Resources
- Anderson County Building & Codes — department information, adopted codes, permit documents, and inspections.
- Anderson County OpenGov Portal — online applications and inspection workflow.
- Online Permit Account Guide (PDF) — registration, projects, and application screens.
- Permit Type and Portal Tab Guide (PDF) — residential, commercial, and manufactured-home examples.
- 2026 Permit Fee Schedule (PDF) — official current fee brackets and valuation rates.
- Residential Inspection Checklist (PDF) — requirements at each inspection stage.
- Owner/Builder Subcontractor Listing (PDF) — contractor information for qualifying owner-builder applications.
- Development Standards — land-use, zoning, compliance, and planning resources.
- South Carolina Building Code Adoption — state code editions and modification documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where do I apply for an Anderson County building permit?
Apply through the Anderson County OpenGov permitting portal. Create an account, choose the appropriate application, upload the requested documents, and submit the application for review.
2. Are Anderson County and City of Anderson building permits the same?
No. The county and city have different permitting authorities. Properties within the City of Anderson generally use the city’s Building and Codes Department, while county-jurisdiction projects use the county process.
3. Can I obtain an Anderson County building permit online?
Yes. Anderson County uses an OpenGov portal for building and trade permit applications. You must create an account, select the correct permit category, and submit the required information.
4. What permits are needed to build a new house in Anderson County?
A new single-family home normally involves building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits, together with applicable residential compliance and site-related approvals. The county portal groups related permits under one project.
5. How do I schedule an Anderson County building inspection?
Use the inspection scheduling function associated with your permit in the county OpenGov portal. You can also contact Building and Codes at (864) 260-4158 to confirm scheduling requirements.
6. How much is the Anderson County reinspection fee in 2026?
The official fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 lists a $65 reinspection fee. Older inspection documents may show a different amount, so use the newer fee schedule.
7. Do I need a permit for a deck or storage shed?
The county lists exterior decks under residential building permits and storage buildings with electrical work under building and electrical permits. Requirements for other small structures depend on their size, use, utilities, and land-use rules.
8. Which building codes apply in Anderson County in 2026?
The county’s published 2026 framework uses the 2021 International Building and Residential Codes with applicable South Carolina modifications, the 2020 National Electrical Code, and the 2009 Energy Conservation Code. The next state code cycle begins January 1, 2027.
9. What documents are required for a building permit application?
Depending on the project, applicants may need property details, construction drawings, site plans, contractor credentials, septic or sewer approvals, and land-use documentation. The portal identifies documents required for the selected application.
10. Can I occupy a new house before the final inspection?
No. The county’s residential inspection guidance requires the necessary inspections to be completed and approved and a Certificate of Occupancy to be issued before the building is occupied.