(A) Required permits.
(1) Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this chapter, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application; to the Building Official and obtain the required permit.
(2) Additional required permits. The Building Official is authorized to issue permits for work as set forth in divisions (A)(2)(a) through (A)(2)(c) of this section.
(a) Automatic fire-extinguishing systems. A permit is required for installation of or modification to an automatic fire-extinguishing system. Maintenance performed in accordance with this chapter is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.
(b) Fire alarm and detection systems and related equipment.
1. A permit is required for installation of or modification to fire alarm and detection systems and related equipment. Maintenance performed in accordance with this chapter is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.
2. Exception: Residential type smoke detectors installed individually or wired in series in single-family residences.
(c) Fire pumps and related equipment. A permit is required for installation of or modification to fire pumps and related fuel tanks, jockey pumps, controllers, and generators. Maintenance performed in accordance with this chapter is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.
(d) Hazardous materials. A permit is required to install, repair damage to, abandon, remove, place temporarily out of service, or close or substantially modify a storage facility or other area regulated by Chapter 27 of the International Fire Code.
(e) Private fire hydrants. A permit is required for the installation or modification of private fire hydrants and their systems.
(f) Standpipe systems. A permit is required for the installation, modification, or removal from service of a standpipe system. Maintenance performed in accordance with this chapter is not considered a modification and does not require a permit.
(g) Special permits. In addition to the required permits, the following permits are required for the following installation and/or repairs; vinyl siding, insulation, roofing, floor covering/carpet, masonry, drywall, carpentry, stucco, paint/wallpaper, low voltage electrical, elevators, landscape/site development.
(B) Work exempt from permit.
(1) Exemptions from permit requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:
(a) Building.
1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet (11 m2).
2. Fences not over six feet (1829 mm) high.
3. Water tanks supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,925 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2:1.
4. Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II, or IIIA liquids.
5. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route.
6. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
7. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons (19,000 L) and are installed entirely above ground.
8. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, and not including service systems.
9. Swings and other playground equipment.
10. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches (1753 mm) in height.
11. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
(b) Electrical.
1. Repairs and maintenance. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
2. Radio and television transmitting stations. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas.
3. Temporary testing systems. A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.
(c) Gas.
1. Portable gas equipment of all types that is not connected to a fixed fuel piping system.
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3. Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
(d) Mechanical.
1. Portable heating appliance.
2. Portable ventilation equipment.
3. Portable cooling unit.
4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this chapter.
5. Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative cooler.
7. Self-contained refrigeration system containing ten pounds (five kg) or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of one horsepower (746 W) or less.
8. Portable-fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
(e) Plumbing.
1. The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe, provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this chapter.
2. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
(f) Energy. The following need not comply provided the energy use of the building is not increased:
1. Storm windows installed over existing fenestration.
2. Glass only replacements in an existing sash and frame.
3. Construction where the existing roof, wall or floor cavity is not exposed.
(2) Emergency repairs. Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the Building Official.
(3) Repairs. Application or notice to the Building Official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures, replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. Such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.
(4) Public service agencies. A permit shall not be required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation; transmission, distribution or metering or other related equipment that is under the ownership and control of public service agencies by established right.
(C) Application for permit.
(1) Filing of application. To obtain a permit, the applicant shall first file an application therefore in writing on a form furnished by the Department of Building Services for that purpose. Such application shall:
(a) Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit for which application is made;
(b) Describe the land on which the proposed work is to be done by address and tax map number (TMS) or property identification number (PID);
(c) Indicate the use and occupancy for which the proposed work is intended;
(d) Be accompanied by construction documents and other information as required in § 150.06.
(e) State the valuation of the proposed work.
(f) Be signed by the applicant, or the applicant’s authorized agent.
(g) Submit such other data and information as required by the Building Official.
(2) Action on application. The Building Official shall examine or cause to be examined applications for permits and amendments thereto within a reasonable time after filing. If the application or the construction documents do not conform to the requirements of pertinent laws, the Building Official shall reject such application in writing, stating the reasons therefore. If the Building Official is satisfied that the proposed work conforms to the requirements of this chapter and laws and ordinances applicable thereto, the Building Official shall issue a permit therefore as soon as practicable.
(3) Time limitation of application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned 180 days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued; except that the Building Official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 90 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
(D) Validity of permit. The issuance or granting of a permit shall not be construed to be a permit for, or an approval of, any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or of any other ordinance of the jurisdiction. Permits presuming to give authority to violate or cancel the provisions of this chapter or other ordinances of the jurisdiction shall not be valid. The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other data shall not prevent the Building Official from requiring the correction of errors in the construction documents and other data. The Building Official is also authorized to prevent occupancy or use of a structure where in violation of this chapter or of any other ordinances of this jurisdiction.
(E) Expiration. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 180 days after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 180 days after the time the work is commenced. The Building Official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each. The extensions shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated.
(F) Suspension or revocation. The Building Official is authorized to suspend or revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this chapter wherever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or in violation of any ordinance or regulation or any of the provisions of this chapter.
(G) Placement of permit. The building permit or copy shall be kept on the site for the work until the completion of the project at an accessible and visible location.
(H) Responsibility. It shall be the duty of every person who performs work for the installation or repair of building systems, for which this chapter is applicable, to comply with this chapter.
(I) Manufactured housing permits. In order for a permit to be issued to install a manufactured home in the town, a copy of the current license of the installer or contractor, issued by the South Carolina Manufactured Housing Board, must be submitted with the application for the permit. If a retail dealer is installing the home, a current copy of the retail dealer’s license, issued by the South Carolina Manufactured Housing Board, must be submitted with the application for the permit. The installer, contractor, or dealer may submit an electronic copy of the license, in an acceptable format such as JPEG or PDF, by email in place of a copy.
(J) Unauthorized tampering. Signs, tags or seals posted or affixed by the Building Official shall not be mutilated, destroyed or tampered with or removed without authorization from the Building Official.
(Ord. 2016-14, passed 1-19-2017) Penalty, see § 150.99