WHY DO I NEED A BUILDING PERMIT?

There are three permitting systems that affect flood recovery efforts:

1. Business licenses;
2. Building permits; and
3. Contractors’ licenses.

Depending on the work you need to do, you may need one or more permits.

• You can do cleanup or minor repair work yourself – for example; removing water from your carpet or your floors; removing soaked drywell; repainting; replacing wallpaper; or replacing tile, flooring, and carpeting – without a business license, a building permit, or a contractors’ license.

• If you hire someone else to do cleanup or minor repair work, including the items listed above, your contractor will need a business license but not a building permit or a contractors’ license.

• If you do nonstructural repair work on the house in which you live – for example, installing new shingles or other roofing materials; replacing windows; replacing siding; or replacing or installing sheetrock – you will need a building permit, but not a business license.

• If you hire someone else to do nonstructural repair work, including the items listed above, your contractor will need a business license and a building permit.

• Any other work – including major repairs, structural work, and repairs on buildings in which you do not live – require all three permits.

General advice:

• Take pictures.
• Check your contractor’s credentials.
• Shop around for contractors, ask for quotes.
• Call the City/County Building Department before you start.
• Report any suspicious activity.

If you have questions or concerns, please contract the Sumter City/County Building Inspections Department at (803) 774-1617, or you can visit us online, http://sumtersc.gov/building-permits.aspx, or at our office 12 W. Liberty Street, Sumer, SC 29150.

Download a copy of the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations press release on LLR Issues Consumer Alert Regarding Property Repairs following flooding.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BUILDING PERMITS, CLICK HERE.