South Carolina Pool Permit Requirements — 2025 County-by-County Guide
South Carolina pool permit requirements by county and city — fees, timelines, depth thresholds, barrier rules, and required documents updated for 2025.
South Carolina Pool Permit Requirements by County and City
| Jurisdiction | Depth Threshold | Building Permit Fee | Electrical Permit | Online Submission? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horry County (Myrtle Beach area) | Required | 24 in | $200–$600 | Yes | Yes |
| Greenville County | Required | 24 in | $200–$575 | Yes | Yes |
| Richland County (Columbia) | Required | 24 in | $200–$575 | Yes | Yes |
| Charleston County | Required | 24 in | $225–$625 | Yes | Yes |
| City of Charleston | Required | 24 in | $250–$650 | Yes | Yes |
| Lexington County | Required | 24 in | $175–$525 | Yes | Partial |
| York County (Rock Hill area) | Required | 24 in | $175–$525 | Yes | Partial |
| Spartanburg County | Required | 24 in | $150–$475 | Yes | Partial |
| Anderson County | Required | 24 in | $150–$450 | Yes | Partial |
| Rural SC counties | Required | 24 in | $75–$300 | Yes | Rarely |
Coastal South Carolina: CAMA Permit Requirements
Properties within 75 feet of a tidal creek, ocean, or other coastal water in South Carolina may require a CAMA permit from SCDHEC's Ocean and Coastal Resource Management division before a pool can be installed. CAMA permits in South Carolina typically take 30 to 45 days and must be obtained before the county building permit can be issued. If your property is near tidal water in Horry, Georgetown, Beaufort, Jasper, or Colleton counties, contact SCDHEC's coastal management office before beginning your pool permit application.
Charleston County and the City of Charleston also have additional historic district review requirements for properties in designated historic areas. The Board of Architectural Review may need to approve pool installations that affect the visual character of a historic property or streetscape.
Required Documents for a South Carolina Pool Permit
- Completed building permit application form from your city or county building department
- Site plan showing pool placement, all setback distances to property lines, house, and recorded easements
- Pool spec sheet (above-ground manufacturer sheet) or engineer-stamped construction drawings (inground)
- Property survey showing lot boundaries and all easements
- Licensed pool contractor state license number and insurance certificate
- HOA architectural approval letter if your property is in an HOA
- Electrical permit application filed separately by your licensed electrician
- Permit fee payment
Pool Barrier Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina enforces pool barrier requirements consistent with the International Residential Code Section R326. All pools holding water 24 inches or deeper require a barrier meeting these minimums: 48-inch height measured on the exterior, self-closing and self-latching gate with latch on pool side at least 54 inches from grade, no openings larger than 4 inches, and no climbable horizontal members within 36 inches of the barrier exterior. If the house wall serves as part of the barrier, all doors opening directly to the pool area must have self-closing hardware and audible door alarms.
Building a Pool Without a Permit in South Carolina
An unpermitted pool in South Carolina creates real risks: discovery through aerial imagery review, neighbor complaint, home sale inspection, or insurance claim. Retroactive permitting is usually available but costs 1.5x to 3x the standard fee plus any corrective work required to bring the pool into current code compliance. The proactive path is almost always cheaper. See our full guide: What Happens If You Build a Pool Without a Permit.