What do these permits involve in Greenville County?

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County Business Registration (unincorporated Greenville County)

Ordinance No. 4277 establishes a County Business Registration Program for "regulated businesses located in the unincorporated area of the County of Greenville". Under §3 a business is covered if it is located in the unincorporated area and holds a license, permit or registration from any South Carolina department or agency, and §4 states: "Any person doing business in the unincorporated area of the County of Greenville must register annually with the County." The county's Business Registration Program page states "Business Registration Applications Due Before December 31, each year" and "There is NO FEE", and the application form states: "New Businesses Must Register with the County Prior to Beginning Operation." Each location is registered separately, and the page says employees of a registered business do not register on their own; a U.S. Pack Mail Center address is accepted "for mailing purposes only", since the site address must be a physical location outside city limits in Greenville County. The page's FAQ answers "No" to a business located in a municipality that conducts business in the unincorporated area, and answers "If you meet the definition from above, yes" for a temporary business. Applicants sign an Illegal Immigration Reform Act affidavit (§4), must be current with county taxes and fees (§5), and registrations are not transferable: a new owner has 45 days to register and an address change must be reported in writing within 45 days (§6). A registration can be denied or revoked on the grounds in §8, including failure to show that the business use complies with the county's zoning ordinance; an appeal to the County Administrator within 10 days carries a $25.00 fee, refunded if the appeal succeeds (§9). A violation is a misdemeanour punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.00 for a first offense, each day a separate offense, and the county may act to stop the business operating until it registers (Penalties section). S.C. Code §12-37-135 states that such a registration, "if adopted, is in lieu of any business license which is authorized pursuant to Section 4-9-30(12)." A business inside Fountain Inn, Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Simpsonville or Travelers Rest checks with that city for its license requirements, as the county Auditor's page states.

Building and Trade Permits and Commercial Plan Review (Greenville County Building Safety)

The Building Safety FAQ states that "Any new construction, addition or alteration of existing residential or commercial structures, structural changes, commercial tenants, construction trailer, tents, kiosk (sales, fireworks, Christmas trees) swimming pools, shed, signage, manufactured home, plumbing; public or private sewage, and all electrical, gas or HVAC work require a permit." All permits are submitted through eTRAKiT, and the page notes: "Starting July 1, 2025, Residential and Commercial building permit fees will increase by 20 percent." A contractor applying for a permit submits a copy of the South Carolina LLR pocket card (state license or specialty registration); the state contractor licenses are separate state records. The county's Commercial Permitting FAQ states that a design professional is required where the tenant space or building is 5,000 square feet or more, or contains an Assembly, Educational, Institutional or Hazardous occupancy regardless of size, "per SC State Law"; that a South Carolina licensed general contractor is required where the "Cost of work is over $10,000, per SC State Law", and for commercial solar and generator installations regardless of cost or size; that projects in PD, FRD, NC and POD zoning need zoning pre-approval before plan review; and that an approved set of Land Development plans or a statement of exemption is required with every building plan review submittal. A Change of Tenant – Feasibility permit covers occupancy of an existing space without changes.

Change of Tenant – Feasibility Permit and Certificate of Occupancy (Greenville County Building Safety)

The Building Safety FAQ states: "Anyone who wishes to occupy an existing building without making any changes to the building is required to submit a Feasibility Permit." If the building has no power, a Commercial Electrical Permit application is also needed. The county's Commercial Permitting FAQ adds: "If you are a new tenant moving into an existing location, a permit is required, this permit will determine if this location is feasible for your business. Approved inspections will result in a Certificate of Occupancy to occupy the space and run your business." Per the Change of Tenant – Feasibility guidelines (Rev 18 May 2026), the applicant applies in eTRAKiT "based on the sqft of the Tenant Space and use", with the full address and suite number, and a storage supplement if storage is part of the space; after a completeness review and payment, Zoning reviews the proposed use, then Building reviews it, and the Building Inspector arranges an on-site meeting with the tenant and the Fire Marshal. A site in a Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Environs Area needs an approved GSP land-use application uploaded at the time of application. The guidelines say the process "typically takes approximately 10 to 15 business days", that a second missed appointment cancels the project, and that "No Occupancy of the Facility or Land shall occur prior to issuance of the CERTIFICATE of OCCUPANCY." The program covers occupancy without changes to the layout, use group or hazard level; such changes need a Plan Review submittal under a building permit.

Grading / Land-Disturbance Permit (Greenville County Land Development Division)

The county's Commercial Permitting FAQ states that grading permits "May be required if there is any land disturbance, paving, gravel or structures placed on site", and that an approved set of Land Development plans or a statement of exemption is required with every building plan review submittal (Land Development questions: 864-467-4610). The fees are those of the Land Development Division Fee Schedule, "Grading Permits Fees (as of 07/01/2025)", linked from the Division's page as "LDD Fee Schedule - 07/01/25". The Simplified Plan Fee (Commercial Only), for non-residential sites disturbing more than 5,000 sq. ft. but generating less than 1 CFS of flow that do not need an engineered plan, is $750 for a 1-year permit. The Engineered Minimum Fee is $2,200 plus $100 per disturbed acre for a 2-year permit. The Full Land Permit is $3,000 plus $100 per disturbed acre for a 2-year permit, or $4,500 plus $100 per disturbed acre for a 5-year permit (the 5-year permit is required for combo reviews). Renewals are $150 for a 1-year Simplified renewal, and $1,250 (1-year) or $2,500 (2-year) for an Engineer Minimum or Full Land renewal. Unauthorized land disturbance draws a Stop Work Order Fee of $750 per lot, which may be issued along with the grading permit fees and any tickets or fines.

Floodplain Development Permit (Greenville County Floodplain Administration)

Development, excavation, fill, grading or a structure in a flood zone needs a Floodplain Development Permit from Greenville County Floodplain Administration (301 University Ridge, Suite S-3200; 864-467-7523). The application covers types of development including excavation, fill, bridge or culvert, grading, structure, road, subdivision and utility in A, AE, X and shaded X zones, and its acknowledgment binds the applicant to "all applicable provisions of the Greenville County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance." Per the form's instructions, the application must carry a South Carolina Professional Engineer's or Registered Land Surveyor's seal and signature (the Floodplain Administrator may approve a simplified version depending on lot size and characteristics) and be accompanied by two copies of a site plan showing the 1% Special Flood Hazard boundary. Base flood elevation, required and as-built lowest floor elevations, an elevation certificate, flood vents, flood-resistant materials and structural support certification are required for all structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area, and commercial projects provide floodproofing information where applicable. The county's Commercial Permitting FAQ states that additional information may be required if floodplain is on or adjacent to a parcel, and lists 864-467-7572 for floodplain questions. The Floodplain Administration page links the 2021 FEMA flood maps on the county GIS for checking a property's flood zone.

Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
County Business Registration (unincorporated Greenville County)	Greenville County Business Registration (Department of General Services)	Registration: no fee. The county's Business Registration Program page states "There is NO FEE". Appeal of a denial or revocation: $25.00 with the written notice of appeal, refunded if the appeal is finally resolved in the appellant's favour (Ord. 4277 §9). Violation: misdemeanour punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.00 for a first offense, each day a separate offense (Ord. 4277, Penalties section).	annual; renewal applications due before December 31 each year; new businesses register before beginning operation	2026-10-12
Building and Trade Permits and Commercial Plan Review (Greenville County Building Safety)only if it applies to you	Greenville County Building Safety (Permit Center)	No dollar schedule is published on the Building Safety Permits or Forms pages; the Permits page states: "Starting July 1, 2025, Residential and Commercial building permit fees will increase by 20 percent." Contact Building Safety (864-467-7060).	per project; extensions by the Request For Permit Extension form	2026-10-12
Change of Tenant – Feasibility Permit and Certificate of Occupancy (Greenville County Building Safety)only if it applies to you	Greenville County Building Safety (Permit Center)	The guidelines direct the applicant to apply "based on the sqft of the Tenant Space and use"; no dollar amount is published in the guidelines or on the Building Safety pages. The application process document says payment is requested after the completeness review; contact Building Safety (864-467-7060).	one-time, per tenant space; the application is abandoned 180 days after filing unless a permit has been issued	2026-10-12
Grading / Land-Disturbance Permit (Greenville County Land Development Division)only if it applies to you	Greenville County Land Development Division	Land Development Division Fee Schedule, Grading Permits Fees (as of 07/01/2025): Simplified Plan Fee (Commercial Only), 1-year permit, $750; Engineered Minimum Fee, 2-year permit, $2,200 + $100 per disturbed acre; Full Land Permit, 2-year permit, $3,000 + $100 per disturbed acre, or 5-year permit, $4,500 + $100 per disturbed acre. Renewals: Simplified 1-year $150; Engineer Minimum or Full Land 1-year $1,250, 2-year $2,500. Unauthorized Land Disturbance Activities Fee (Stop Work Order Fee) $750 per lot.	1-year (Simplified), 2-year (Engineered Minimum or Full Land) or 5-year (Full Land) permit; renewable	2026-10-12
Floodplain Development Permit (Greenville County Floodplain Administration)only if it applies to you	Greenville County Floodplain Administration	No fee amount is published on the Floodplain Administration page or the Floodplain Development Permit Application; contact Floodplain Administration (864-467-7523) for any amount due.	per development project	2026-10-12

Business licenses and permits in Greenville County, South Carolina

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Permits that apply to every type of business in Greenville County