What do these permits involve in Spartanburg County?

Question

Accepted Answer

Development Permit and Site Plan Review (ULMO) / Zoning Permit (PZO Southwest Planning Area) — Non-Residential

In the ULMO area (the unincorporated county outside the Southwest Planning Area), ULMO §1.13 provides that no building, other structure or land shall be used, or converted wholly or in part to any other use, until the Planning Department issues a Development permit certifying compliance, with an exception for continued identical uses in existence on the ordinance's effective date. In the Southwest Planning Area, PZO §9.1.10 states: "No building, structure, or tract of land within the zoned area of the County shall be used, constructed, or developed until the issuance of a valid zoning permit." That permit is effective for two years from approval, with five one-year extensions, and under §9.1.20 the building or activity may not be used or occupied until the Zoning Administrator indicates compliance; §9.1.30 says the fee is established by County Council. So a business opening premises, or converting land or a building to another use, applies to Planning and Development first. The Planning FAQ adds: "Zoning Verification Letters do not grant any type of approval of existing use or change of activity. Planning and Development Department permitting is required." The amounts are from the Spartanburg County Planning and Development Department fee schedule ("Exhibit D", effective July 1, 2026), the department's current published schedule; the council action adopting it is not posted online: for a ULMO Minor Land Site Plan or a PZO non-residential zoning permit, $105.00 under 12,000 sf, $263.00 for 12,001-50,000 sf, $525.00 for 50,001-200,000 sf and $788.00 over 200,000 sf; for a ULMO Major Land Development Site Plan or a PZO conditional use, special exception, extensive use or administrative modification, $315.00 at 50,000 sf and less and $788.00 above; $158.00 for a ULMO Major Land Development – Final; and the same fee as a new project for a Compliance Review of an existing site. The schedule took effect July 1, 2026 for the fiscal year running to June 30, 2027.

Business Sign Permit (unincorporated Spartanburg County)

The sign rules sit in Article 7 of the Performance Zoning Ordinance, and §7.1.00 states: "This Article shall apply to all the unincorporated portions of Spartanburg County." The county's Zoning page likewise says the PZO sign regulations apply to the entire unincorporated area, so a business sign needs a permit in both the ULMO area and the Southwest Planning Area. The §7.2.10 quick reference chart marks Business Signs with "$ = Permit Required". The fees are from the Spartanburg County Planning and Development Department fee schedule ("Exhibit D", effective July 1, 2026), the department's current published schedule; the council action adopting it is not posted online, under "Sign Permit Review (Countywide)": $53.00 for a business sign (excluding residential development signs) and $105.00 for a temporary sign, if applicable. The schedule took effect July 1, 2026 for the fiscal year running to June 30, 2027.

Building and Trade Permits, Plan Review and Certificate of Occupancy

ULMO §1.09 states: "A building permit shall be required of all proposed building and/or development activity unless expressly exempted by the County Building Code." Under ULMO §1.14 it is unlawful to use or occupy a building or premises that is created, erected, changed, converted or altered in its use until the county issues a Certificate of Occupancy stating that the proposed use conforms to the ordinance. The Building Codes Department handles building and trade (mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire sprinkler) permits, plan review, inspections and certificates of occupancy. The Planning FAQ says a new business, or any work on the property, may need permits and directs owners to contact Planning and Development and Building Codes. A current fee schedule for Building Codes is not published on the county's Building Codes, Budget or Planning fee pages; contact the Building Codes Department for the amount that applies to a project.

Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
Development Permit and Site Plan Review (ULMO) / Zoning Permit (PZO Southwest Planning Area) — Non-Residentialonly if it applies to you	Spartanburg County Planning and Development Department	By building square footage (Exhibit D, effective July 1, 2026). ULMO Minor Land Site Plan, or PZO zoning permit review for All Non-Residential Uses (Except as Listed Below): <12,000 sf $105.00; 12,001-50,000 sf $263.00; 50,001-200,000 sf $525.00; >200,000 sf $788.00 (the same tiers apply to a ULMO Minor Land Site Plan – Conditional Use). ULMO Major Land Development Site Plan (also Conditional Use), or PZO Non-Residential Conditional Uses, Special Exceptions, Extensive Uses and Administrative Modifications: 50,000 sf & less $315.00; >50,000 sf $788.00. ULMO Major Land Development – Final $158.00. Compliance Review – Existing Site: "Same fee as for new project". Uses whose primary function is outdoors are charged by the square footage of land used for the primary use.	PZO zoning permit: effective two years from approval, with five one-year extensions (PZO §9.1.10)	2026-10-19
Business Sign Permit (unincorporated Spartanburg County)only if it applies to you	Spartanburg County Planning and Development Department	Sign Permit Review (Countywide), Exhibit D effective July 1, 2026: Business (excludes residential development signs) $53.00; Temporary, if applicable $105.00.	per sign permit	2026-10-19
Building and Trade Permits, Plan Review and Certificate of Occupancyonly if it applies to you	Spartanburg County Building Codes Department	A current Building Codes fee schedule is not published on the county's Building Codes, Budget or Planning fee pages; contact the Building Codes Department for the amount that applies to a project.	per permit	2026-10-19

Business licenses and permits in Spartanburg County, South Carolina

What are you opening in Spartanburg County?

Permits that apply to every type of business in Spartanburg County