South Carolina, Horry County HVAC Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Horry County HVAC Permit Requirements
In Horry County, South Carolina, a building permit is required for any work that involves constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of a building or structure. This also includes erecting, installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system. This applies to properties in unincorporated areas of Horry County. The Code Enforcement Division is responsible for issuing permits and conducting inspections for these areas. Incorporated municipalities within Horry County have their own separate permit processes.
For HVAC work specifically, a permit is generally required. While some minor mechanical work might be exempt, any significant installation, alteration, or replacement of HVAC systems will necessitate a permit. It is always recommended to confirm with the Horry County Code Enforcement office if a permit is needed for a specific project.
Permit Application Process for Unincorporated Areas:
- Determine if the property is in an unincorporated area of Horry County.
- Identify the correct permit type with the Code Enforcement Division.
- Register for the county's EnerGov portal for online permit, payment, and inspection functions, if applicable.
- Submit a completed permit application along with all required supporting materials. For new commercial buildings or additions, digital submission to [email protected] is required.
- Provide necessary plans (architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil/site plans), authorization letters, sewer verification, special inspection packets, COMchecks, and any applicable stormwater or fire-service-area approvals. All plans must be drawn to scale.
- Allow for review times, which are approximately 20 days for new commercial projects and 5-7 days for residential one- and two-family projects.
- After approval, pay the required fees and obtain the permit.
- Schedule inspections through the EnerGov portal or as instructed by the county.
The minimum permit fee in unincorporated Horry County is $50. Fees for trade permits (including mechanical/HVAC) are typically flat-rate.
Note: While some minor work may be exempt from building permits, zoning and planning requirements may still apply. Always verify current requirements directly with the Horry County Code Enforcement Department before starting any project.