Permits & licensing in South Carolina local government
What South Carolina city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about permits & licensing — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
277 South Carolina meetings since 2024 covered permits & licensing. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in South Carolina with the most permits & licensing activity
- Charleston, SC (189)
- Surfside Beach, SC (8)
- Aiken County, SC (8)
- Lancaster, SC (7)
- Mount Pleasant, SC (7)
- Spartanburg County, SC (7)
- Orangeburg County, SC (4)
- Pickens County, SC (4)
- Beaufort County, SC (4)
- Gaffney, SC (4)
- Goose Creek, SC (3)
- Tega Cay, SC (3)
Latest matching meetings
Board to review several alteration requests, notably a pool at 416 Front St.
The Georgetown Architectural Review Board will approve minutes from its July 6 meeting and then consider a series of property alteration applications. Items include fence relocation, window changes, driveway replacement, a new in‑ground pool, and demolition with asbestos siding removal. Public input will be taken on…
Board to consider after‑the‑fact demolition of exterior elements at 32 Dunnemann Ave.
The Board will approve the minutes from its July 23, 2026 meeting. It will review an application for after‑the‑fact partial demolition of exterior elements visible from the public right‑of‑way at 32 Dunnemann Avenue, a historic 1947 home in the Wagener Terrace district (Council District 6). The application cites a…
Board of Architectural Review to consider demolition and alteration requests
The Board of Architectural Review – Small will review 15 applications for property modifications. The board is deciding on requests for full and partial demolitions, conceptual approvals for new construction, and exterior alterations to historic structures.
Board to consider Anytime Fitness sign variances at 100 Laurens Street
The Design Review Board will hold a public hearing and decide on a Certificate of Appropriateness for a wall sign at 100 Laurens Street (Anytime Fitness), which requests variances for the use of purple color and internal illumination not allowed by current standards. The board will also continue discussing proposed…
Business Committee will discuss updates to the upcoming Business Expo event
The Surfside Beach Business Committee will review the outline and details of the planned Business Expo, with input from staff. The meeting will also include routine items such as approval of May meeting minutes, public comment, and updates on tourism and business recruitment. New business licenses issued since the…
Review of 64-lot Dockside Preserve final subdivision and Waterside Wax Myrtle preliminary plat
The Technical Review Committee will review a revised preliminary plat for Waterside Wax Myrtle and a major final subdivision plat creating 64 residential lots in Dockside Preserve Phase 1A. The committee will also discuss a building permit request for a 129 sq ft addition to a produce stand at 807 Highway 17 South.
Design Review Board receives 18 staff-approved commercial quick plan reviews
The Design Review Board will consider a list of 18 quick plan reviews that have already been approved by staff. Items include tenant fit-outs, sign installations, a temporary jobsite trailer, and the installation of two Tesla chargers. The board is not voting on these items but receiving them for informational or…
Committee reviews permits for July and August community events
The Special Events Committee is reviewing permit applications for several upcoming public gatherings. The body will discuss event logistics, including street closures and police escorts for parades and memorial services.
County reviews April 2026 financial performance
Aiken County Council reviewed the General Fund's April 2026 financial report, which shows revenues of $83.6 million and expenditures of $80.7 million, with real property taxes being the largest revenue source.
Board of Architectural Review reviews five residential and commercial updates
The Board is reviewing a series of staff-level approvals for minor renovations and exterior modifications. These requests include roofing replacements, signage, and general home repairs in historic districts.
Committee to review changes to mobile food vending locations
The Traffic and Transportation Committee is considering the removal of two specific food vending spaces and the transition of eight other high-demand locations to a competitive bidding and franchise agreement process.
Special Events Committee considers permit for SC250 drone show and Independence Day celebration
The committee will discuss and potentially approve several special event applications requiring street closures. Key items include the SC250 Charleston Carolina Day celebration with a drone show over Charleston Harbor and the Waterfront Park Independence Day celebration. Other events include a neighborhood parade…
Board of Architectural Review to consider signage for 176 Concord St
The Board is reviewing a request for multiple signs at 176 Concord St. This includes a monument sign, facade signs, a canopy sign, blade signs, and a wall plaque.
Approval of Development Plan Amendment for 19 Towne Drive dental office
The Development Review Committee will consider a Development Plan Amendment application for 19 Towne Drive. The request, submitted by Daniel Gaines of Gaines Engineering & Design for SGA Dental Partners, seeks approval to renovate and add to the existing dental office and related landscaping. The property is located…
Cemetery committee discusses columbarium, pedestrian gates, and Memorial Day events
The Springwood Cemetery Advisory Committee is meeting to discuss several projects and routine updates. Items include the pedestrian gates project, columbarium update, Memorial Day special event permit, and Wreaths Across America. The agenda also covers approval of previous minutes, membership updates, and maintenance…
July 4th event permit debated, crowd limit cut to 2,000
The Special Events Committee reviewed three SC250 250th anniversary event permit applications, all tabled for revisions. The July 4th celebration at Waterfront Park faced concerns over stage weight and crowd size, reducing expected attendees from 6,150 to 2,000. The June 27 Carolina Day drone show and July 1-3 Marion…
Council to vote on building permit enforcement with towns and lease for 1520 Russell St
The Orangeburg County Council will hold a third reading and public hearing on two ordinances: one authorizing the county to enforce building permitting and inspections within towns that request it, and another to lease 1520 Russell Street to Monteith Construction Corporation with the county as landlord. A first…
Board reviews plans for new grocery store and office building
The Design Review Board is reviewing a series of staff-approved permits for building, sign, roofing, and mechanical projects across Charleston. Notable items include the construction of an 11,368 sq ft retail shell and a new grocery store at 1615 Old Towne Road, as well as a new 3-story office building at 1662 Ingram…
Council to extend moratorium on certain development permits for three months
The Pickens County Council will conduct a second reading of Ordinance No. 685, extending a temporary moratorium on permit applications for commercial lodging, solar farms, the Highway 8 corridor, major subdivisions of three or more lots, and multifamily dwellings for three months. The council will also hold a first…
Committee approves Party for the Parks fundraiser at Colonial Lake
The Special Events Committee reviewed and approved permits for several events, including the Party for the Parks fundraiser and a farmers market at Hampton Park, while tabling decisions on the 911 Heroes Run and Veterans Day Parade pending further details.
Committee to discuss Party for the Parks fundraiser and other event permits
The Special Events Committee will consider multiple event applications, including the Party for the Parks major fundraiser at Colonial Lake and Moultrie Park, a farmers market at Hampton Park, and several street-closing events. The committee will also approve previous meeting minutes and receive updates from staff…
March financial report shows 77.62% of budgeted revenue collected
The County Council is reviewing the March 2026 monthly financial report for the General Fund. Revenues total $76.95 million, or 77.62% of the annual budget. Notable items include elevated permit revenues due to commercial permits and a fee change, and a rise in EMS service collections. The budgeted use of reserves has…
Building permits value reaches $84.4 million in April
The County Council Committees review the Planning & Development Department's monthly report for April 2026, which includes building permits, fees, and inspections. Also presented are the C Fund road program status (11 projects totaling $5.3M), stormwater activities, and an engineering subdivision report tracking bond…
Design Review Board approves routine quick plan reviews
This meeting consists of staff-level approvals for 11 quick plan review items including sign installations, structural alterations, mechanical replacements, and roofing. No public hearings or major policy decisions are scheduled.
BAR reviews 10 quick plan permits including new construction and substantial improvement
The Board of Architectural Review will conduct quick plan reviews for 10 permits. Items include new single-family residence on Ashley Ave, a substantial elevation and remodel on South St, and various renovations and signs. These are staff-level approvals, not full board hearings.
Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County to discuss salary and vendor proposals
The Executive Board of Directors will meet to review financial and program reports. The board is scheduled to discuss a salary proposal and new vendor services for janitorial and pest control.
Juneteenth event approved with street closure, conditions
The Special Events Committee approved four event permits with conditions, including Juneteenth on the Yard with a Concord St closure. They discussed SC250 July 4th events and an incomplete drone show application. The committee also addressed police coverage concerns for the holiday weekend.
Committee to discuss Juneteenth event with street closures
The Special Events Committee will discuss and likely approve permits for several public events, including a Juneteenth celebration that requires street closures on Concord Street. Other events include a family day at Brittlebank Park, a July 4th reading of the Declaration of Independence with a march, and a memorial…
Design board reviews 22 permits, including new 160' cell tower
The Design Review Board staff is approving a list of 22 quick plan permits for signs, building renovations, roofing, and new construction. Notable items include a new 160-foot monopole cell tower at 361 UT Island Park Drive, a new amenity center at 2250 Wright Brothers Drive, and conversion of a building into a food…
BAR to review retroactive window work at 29 Cannon St
The Board of Architectural Review will consider six quick plan review items for residential and commercial exterior alterations. Items include a residential renovation with retroactive window and chimney work, a commercial storefront replacement, and a solar panel installation. The board will decide whether to approve…
Design Review Board to approve routine building permits
This meeting of the Charleston Design Review Board consists of staff-level approvals for eight commercial building permit applications. All items are quick plan reviews for signage, roofing, new construction, and interior renovations. No public hearings or policy decisions are scheduled.
Board to review 19 permit applications, including 5-story multifamily project on Meeting St
The Board of Architectural Review will consider 19 permit applications for construction and renovations in Charleston's historic district. Notable items include a large multifamily project at 578 Meeting Street with a 5-story building, parking garage, and rooftop amenity, as well as several single-family dwelling…
Workshop on new tree preservation ordinance for Surfside Beach
The Planning Commission will hold a workshop to discuss a draft Tree Preservation Ordinance. The ordinance would regulate tree removal, replacement, and protection on public and private property, including permit requirements and a Tree Mitigation Fund. No formal vote is expected at this workshop.
Committee to discuss permits for 10,000-attendee Credit One Stadium concerts
The Special Events Committee will discuss and potentially approve permits for several upcoming events, including three large Credit One Stadium concerts with up to 10,000 attendees each. Other items include the 2026 Charleston Duck Race and city-sponsored Juneteenth and First Day festivals.
Council receives March 2026 departmental reports
The city council is receiving monthly reports from all departments for March 2026. Reports cover finance, building permits and construction, fire, police, public utilities, and more. No votes or public hearings are scheduled; this is a review of operational data.
Staff approves 9 quick plan reviews including shipping container for pro shop
The Design Review Board is reviewing 9 staff-approved quick plan permits for commercial modifications. Items include a shipping container for a temporary pro shop, a fence installation, sign replacement, and interior renovations.
Committee approves Food & Wine Classic with road closures and conditions
The Special Events Committee met virtually to review and approve several special event permits for upcoming festivals, parades, and races. Most applications were approved with conditions, including requirements for security, ADA compliance, and emergency plans. The committee also discussed updates on permit systems…
Special Events Committee reviews Food & Wine Classic and SC250 permits
The Special Events Committee will meet virtually to review and discuss applications for several special events on the Peninsula and Daniel Island. Items include the Food & Wine Classic at the Visitors Center, the SC250 Revolutionary City event in Marion Square, and a Cinco de Mayo block party. The committee will also…
County Council reviews February 2026 financial report
Aiken County Council is reviewing the February 2026 General Fund financial report. Revenues total $73.1 million (73.82% of budget), expenditures total $63.1 million (59.81% of budget). The report includes details on property taxes, permits, and Hurricane Helene-related funds.
Committee recommends waiving development fees for county-funded projects
The Administrative Committee recommended approval of three resolutions for the full council to consider on April 21. These include a fee waiver policy for development and stormwater permitting fees on county-funded projects, a loan certification for Autoneum North America with Wells Fargo, and a museum space agreement…