Permitting / Codes
111 Chesterfield St. S • Aiken, SC 29801 • 803-642-7675
City of Aiken Renters & Landlords Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make repairs to my rental property myself?
No. Rental property is considered income property and work must be done by licensed contractors.
What is a “Specialty Contractor”? Do they need a contractor’s license?
A Residential Specialty Contractor is an independent contractor who is not a licensed residential builder. The Specialty Contractor contracts with licensed residential builders, general contractors, or individual property owners to do construction work, repairs, improvements, or re-improvements which requires special skills and involves the use of specialized construction trades or crafts, when the undertakings exceed two hundred dollars ($200) and are not regulated by certain other code provisions.
Residential Specialty Contracting includes the following areas of contracting and other areas as the commission may recognize by regulation:
- plumbers (state examination required for license);
- electricians (state examination required for license);
- heating and air conditioning installers and repairers (state examination required for license);
- vinyl and aluminum siding installers;
- insulation installers;
- roofers;
- floor covering installers;
- masons;
- dry wall installers/repairs;
- carpenters;
- stucco installers;
- painters/wall paper specialist.
Is a contractor or someone with a specialty license required to get a City business license?
Yes. Any person who does any type of construction in the City of Aiken for profit is required to obtain a business license prior to doing work and, if necessary, obtain a permit. Please contact the Business License Administrator at 803-642-7642 for questions about business licensing.
Where can I find general information about mold?
Please contact South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)’s Air Quality Bureau at 803-898-4123 or go to DHEC online for more information at http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/IndoorAirQuality/ . The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has mold information on their web page located at http://www.epa.gov/mold/.
How do I find a certified mold risk assessor, inspector, or contractor in my area?
At this time, the state of South Carolina does not license mold inspectors. However, there are several professional associations that offer training and certification for mold inspectors. We recommend searching online or in the Yellow Pages for a “certified mold inspector”.
Where can I find general information about lead?
Please contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 800-424-5323 or online at https://www.epa.gov/lead.
How do I find a certified lead risk assessor, inspector, or contractor in my area?
Look under “Lead” in the phone book or call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD [5323] or go online to https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes/enforcement/regulations. You may also contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lead Program at 404-562-8994 or online at https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-safety-documents-and-outreach-materials.
Who do I call about lead disposal issues?
Please contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management at 803-896-4000 for questions about disposal of wastes painted with lead-based paint or go online to http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/lwm/.
Who do I contact regarding asbestos inspections/removal?
Please call the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)’s Air Quality Bureau at 803-898-4123 or go to DHEC online for more information at http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/baq/Asbestos/.
How do I make a complaint regarding garbage/debris on the street or sidewalk?
Please call the Public Services Department at 803-642-7613.
How do I file a complaint about a broken water or sewer line?
Please call the Engineering & Utilities Department at 803-642-7617.
Where can I get copies of the Zoning Regulation?
The Zoning Ordinance for the City of Aiken is available for viewing online at https://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=15314. Please contact the Planning Department at 803-642-7608 if you have any questions.
Where do I go to complain/inquire regarding my rent and/or being evicted?
For rent complaints, please contact the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Columbia field office at 803-765-5592 or go online for HUD resources at http://www.hud.gov. For eviction information, please contact the Aiken Magistrates Office at 803-642-1744 and/or online at http://www.scbar.org/Public-Information/LawLine/Magistrates-landlord-tenant-court for information about SC landlord/magistrates tenant court.
What can I do about vacant structures in my neighborhood?
Please call the Building Inspection Division at 803-642-7675 and ask to speak to the Property Code Inspector. If possible, please provide the street address of the property you are calling about.
I rent and my landlord will not repair anything in my house or apartment. Who can I call for help?
Please call the Building Inspection Division at 803-642-7675 and ask to speak to the Property Code Inspector. If possible, please provide the street address of the property you are calling about and your landlord’s name and contact information.
Who do I contact if I have a dilapidated structure and wish to utilize the city of Aiken’s Demolition $200.00 program?
Please call the Building Inspection Division at 803-642-7675 and ask to speak to the Property Code Inspector. If possible, please provide the street address of the property you are calling about and your landlord’s name and contact information.
What can I do about my next door neighbor’s unsanitary pool?
Please call the Building Inspection Division at 803-642-7675 and ask to speak to the Property Code Inspector. If possible, please provide the street address of the property you are calling about and your landlord’s name and contact information.
My neighbor’s yard is overgrown. What can I do about having the overgrowth removed?
Please call the Building Inspection Division at 803-642-7675 and ask to speak to the Property Code Inspector. If possible, please provide the street address of the property you are calling about and your landlord’s name and contact information.
What can I do about junk cars in my neighborhood that appear to not run?
Please call the Building Inspection Division at 803-642-7675 and ask to speak to the Property Code Inspector. If possible, please provide the street address of the property you are calling about and your landlord’s name and contact information.
How long do citizens in violation have to correct their property?
When a violation is found, the owner or the tenant of that property will be sent a letter notifying them of the violations and the time frame for the correction of the violations.
Who can I call about the trash my neighbors have in their yard?
Please call the Building Inspection Division at 803-642-7675 and ask to speak to the Property Code Inspector. If possible, please provide the street address of the property you are calling about and your landlord’s name and contact information.