Building Permits

Building Permits:
When you plan on building a new home, or an addition to your home, come to our office at 210 Railroad Street and apply for your construction permits. Please refer to the Building Permit Procedures handout for additional information. (The handout will let you know the documentation required to purchase a building permit and the inspections that our building official/inspector will make on the project.)

Residential/Commercial/Industrial/Multi-Family Developments: (See Business & Development tab on county website opening page for information on these types of projects.)

Effective January 1, 2013, McDuffie County now requires plans for new single family residential home before building permits can be issued. (See Building Code Section)

Plans must include:

• Grade Elevations (All Sides)
• Exterior Covering of Building (brick, stucco, vinyl, etc.).
• Foundation Plan-slab or crawlspace with grade beam or pier placement.
• Floor Plan with window and door placement to include dimensions.
• Framing Details-size, spacing & spans of studs, joists, rafter & beams.
• Electrical Plan-placement and type of lights, fans, receptacles and smoke detectors.
• If basement, provide type of basement wall (block or poured) with engineered drawings and waterproofing and drainage plan.
• Roof plan with pitches.
• Plumbing Plans-locate and identify.
• Additions/Remodeling-all the above, use/type of addition, wall removal and anchorage of new to existing building (foundation and framing.)

If any of this information is missing, the plans will be returned and may cause a delay in the approval process.

Criteria for General Contractors /Sub-Contractors in McDuffie County:
To purchase a building, electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit you must bring your state contractor’s license, general liability insurance and a bond titled to “McDuffie County” (We don’t have a specific bond form) made payable to McDuffie County. (Bond for Residential/General Contractor $5,000) (Sub-Contractors $1,000).

Electrical/Plumbing/Mechanical Permits:
Sub-Contractors are responsible for purchasing permits in person at the Planning Commission for any work in McDuffie County.

Mobile Home Permits:
McDuffie County requires purchase of a mobile home and moving permit if a double-wide mobile home is going to be placed anywhere in McDuffie County. (The Mobile Home Procedures handout lets you know what is required to purchase the M/H Permit.) Note: Single-wide mobile homes may be permitted to be placed in an approved mobile home park in McDuffie County.

Storage/Moving Permits:
McDuffie County also requires permits for pre-manufactured storage buildings and carports before they are moved to your property. The setbacks for a storage building or carport are based on the square footage of the structure. Setbacks: Any structure 399 sq. ft. or less requires a 5 foot setback to any side or rear property line; any structure 400 sq. ft. or greater requires a 10 foot side or rear property line in McDuffie County and the City of Thomson. All structure setbacks are referenced in the City of Thomson Zoning Ordinance, and the McDuffie County Land Development Code (Zoning).

Sign Permits:
A permit is required in McDuffie County before a new sign is installed, or an existing sign is altered or replaced. For additional information on sign requirements please refer to the City of Thomson Sign Ordinance or to the sign section (Article VI) of the McDuffie County Land Development Code.

Accessory Permits: 
McDuffie County also requires permits for Accessory Structures:
Example: Pole Barns, Decks, Patios, Storage Buildings (Stick-Built), Garages etc., the permit cost is based on the construction price. Example: $4000 or under a $40.00 permit fee. For a compilation of county/city fees please see the City of Thomson/McDuffie County Permit Fee Schedule.