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The City of West Columbia’s Building Department has transitioned to a fully online permitting system. This implementation of a Customer Self-Service (CSS) Portal via EnerGov software allows for an all-encompassing permitting experience from the application, plan submittal, reviews, permit issuance, inspection requests, certificate of occupancy, and payments – all from the convenience of your computer.

Permit FeesPermit Portal

Commercial Development Submittal Checklist (Developers/Architects/Contractors)

Zoning

  • Zoning Compliance Form for Building Permit/Sign Permit
  • Site plan (addition, accessory structure) please show the following:
  1. Show entire parcel
  2. Show location of adjacent roads and label with road name
  3. Show all existing buildings and distance (in feet) from proposed addition/accessory structure)
  4. Show distance (in feet) from all property lines
  • Site plan (new construction), please show the following:
  1. Show entire parcel
  2. Show location of adjacent roads and label with road name
  3. Show all existing buildings and distance (in feet) from proposed addition/accessory structure)
  4. Show distance (in feet) from all property lines
  5. Show proposed parking
  6. Provide landscape plan

County Submittal (must submit to City Zoning and will be delivered to County)

Application and Stamped Plans

  1. Land Disturbance
  2. Stormwater Management

Building

  • Building Permit
  • Stamped Architectural Design Plans

*Subcontractors will need to pull own permits when project is approved*

Engineering/Backflow

  • Civil Plans (new utility service)
  • Backflow Device specification (DHEC approved)
  • Grease Interceptor (FOG – Food Service Establishments)
  • Tap Fee information (new construction/retrofit)
    1. Building use/DHEC chart specifics; size tap

After Construction: Provide As-Built Plans with tap location –for GIS mapping and setting meters

Fire

  • Stamped Fire Alarm Plans
  • Stamped Sprinkler Plans
  • Pressure Test Results
  • State Fire Marshal Approval Letter

(submittal/review/approval to state takes approximately 30 days)

Signs

  • Site Plan (with measurements)
  • Illustration of sign structure on property – monument, free standing, wall
  • Sign Design

Submittals not meeting zoning requirements can apply for Variance/Special Exception to be heard before the Zoning Board of Appeals. All applications are submitted to the Director of Planning/Zoning.

*If approval is granted through ZBA, this only pertains to zoning – the project would still need to meet all building requirements*

Residential Development Submittal Checklist (Contractor/Owner)

Zoning

  • Zoning Compliance Form for Building Permit
  • Residential site plan (New Construction, addition, accessory structure), please show the following:
    1. Entire parcel
    2. Show location of adjacent roads and label with road name
    3. Show all existing buildings
    4. Show distance (in feet) from all property lines

Building

  • Building Permit
  • Design Plans

*Subcontractors will need to pull own permits when project approved*

Submittals not meeting zoning requirements can apply for Variance/Special Exception to be heard before the Zoning Board of Appeals. All applications are submitted to the Director of Planning/Zoning.

*If approval is granted through ZBA, this only pertains to zoning – the project would still need to meet all building requirements*

Additional Services

Plats

  • Property owners looking to subdivide their property can have a surveyor create a new plat to submit to the Zoning Technician for review/stamped approval. They must then record at Lexington County Register of Deeds.

Address Request

  • Property owners who own undeveloped lots (current lot or newly established through a subdivide), must submit an address request form to be assigned a physical address through the GIS Supervisor.

7 Steps for Building a Residential and Commercial Structure

There are seven necessary steps to follow if you are planning to build a new home or commercial building. These requirements also pertain to enlarging or renovating an existing home or commercial building.

  1. The project must have zoning approval.
  2. Landscaping plans are required for commercial construction projects.
  3. If the property is subject to flooding then flood elevation certification is needed.
  4. A contractor’s license is required for certain residential or commercial classifications.
    Master electrician for the electricity
    Master plumbing for the plumbing
    Master mechanic for gas and HVAC
  5. Plot plans and building plans must be submitted for review. Two stamped approved copies of each are needed; one to be kept on site and the other to be kept by the Building Official’s office.
  6. All permits must be obtained prior to starting any construction. The City of West Columbia uses the following published codes and inspections are done accordingly:
    • 2021 South Carolina Building Code
    • 2021 South Carolina plumbing Code
    • 2021 South Carolina Mechanical Code
    • 2021 South Carolina Fuel Gas Code
    • 2021 South Carolina Fire Code
    • 2020 National Electrical Code
    • 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
    • 2017 ICC ANSI 117.1
  7. Upon final inspection, a certificate of occupancy must be obtained through the Building Official before occupying the premises.

For questions concerning Building Permits, please contact the Building Official at 803-936-6286.

Online Building Permitting

New to the permitting process? Here is an overview of the standard operating procedure (can vary by permit/project):

  1. Submit the appropriate application(s)
  2. Staff from necessary departments will review application(s) information and other required materials (plans, plats, etc.). Reviews can typically take 10-14 business days from the date of submission.
    a. Planning/Zoning
    b. Building
    c. Fire
    d. Engineering (including Water/Sewer)
  3. Upon all approvals, the permit can be issued after all fees are paid.
  4. Construction on your project begins.
    a. Related sub-permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas) are required/applied for when applicable to the project.
  5. Required inspections are requested, scheduled, and performed.
  6. When all requirements are met, a Certificate of Occupancy is issued and the job is closed.

What permits can be applied for on the Permit Portal (Residential & Commercial)?

  • Building
    • Single-family Home
    • New Construction (i.e., multi-family)
      ***A Notice of Intent is needed for ALL new construction (Residential & Commercial)***
    • Accessory Structure
    • Additions
    • Alterations, remodels, repair, upfits
    • Re-roofs
    • Solar panels
    • Fence/Wall
    • Demolition
    • Commercial Signs
  • Electrical
    • New Construction
    • Alterations, repairs
    • Temporary service
    • Change of service
  • Mechanical (HVAC)
    • New Construction
    • Alterations, repairs
    • Changeouts
  • Plumbing
    • New Construction
    • Alterations, repairs
    • Pools
    • Water Heaters
  • Gas (New installation, repairs)
  • Fire alarms and sprinkler systems
  • Tree Removal

What enhancements will a customer experience?

  • Pay for an invoice (or multiple invoices) with a valid credit card
  • Upload plats, plans, and other digital materials to support an application
  • Request for a scheduled inspection fully online
  • Receive automated e-mail notifications for certain steps during permitting process
  • Track progress of permit applications (Plan reviews, inspections, etc.)
  • See related sub-contractor permits and their status
  • View active and past application submittals
  • Print/share PDF copies of permits

Other items to consider:

If it is your first time visiting the site, please register for a new user account. ALL new registrations require staff review and approval prior to any application submittals.

Approved logins are required in order to apply for any application herein.

*Note for developers and contractors:

All developers and sub-contractors (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, etc.) MUST have their own CSS account to represent themselves or the company. Payment arrangements for partnered entities need to identify appropriate billing contacts to be included on permit applications.

Need more help? Links to the User Guides are below to learn how to register, apply for permits, pay fees, and other portal navigations:

Self Service User Guide – Signs
City of West Columbia Self Service User Guide
EnerGov Citizen Self Service User Guide

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