Permitting / Codes
111 Chesterfield St. S • Aiken, SC 29801 • 803-642-7675
City of Aiken Residential Permitting
Required. 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 code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the Building Inspection Division and obtain the required permit.
Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:
Building
- One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m²).
- Fences not over 7 feet (2134 mm) high.
- Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
- Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons (18927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
- Sidewalks and driveways.
- Decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m2 ) in area, that are not more than 30” (762 mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the required exit door.
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
- Prefabricated swimming pools and that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.
- Swings and other playground equipment.
- Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
Electrical
- Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting
- re-installation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets therefore
- replacement of branch circuit over current devices of the required capacity in the same location
- electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy
- minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles
Gas
- Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.
- Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
- Portable fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
Mechanical
- Portable heating appliance.
- Portable ventilation appliances.
- Portable cooling units.
- Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
- Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
- Portable evaporative coolers.
- Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of 1 horsepower (746 W) or less.
- Portable fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
Plumbing
- 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 code.
- The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and re-installation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
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 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.
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.