Providing Building Inspection Service for new construction and providing Codes Enforcement of Berkeley County Ordinances to ensure the citizens of Berkeley County Government are provided a safe and healthy place to live and work.

Department Functions

• Conduct Residential and Commercial Building Inspections for all types of construction
• Conduct Residential and Commercial Plan Reviews For Code Compliance
• Conduct Commercial Plan Reviews For Sprinkler Systems and Fire Alarms
• Building Code Interpretation
• Fire Marshall Service
• Manufactured Home Installation Inspections
• Codes Enforcement for the County Zoning Ordinance

What kind of inspections do we do?

• Building
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Mechanical
• Gas
• Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm
• Signs
• Towers
• Swimming Pools
• Construction Trailers
• Manufactured Home Installation

Note: Contact the Building Inspection Department or Permitting Department for the detailed inspection list under each type or discipline.

Request for inspection made before 10 am will receive next day inspections

Summary Court Judges (Magistrates) have countywide jurisdiction over traffic, criminal, and civil matters that fall within the guidelines of magistrate level cases.

Department Functions

The Summary Courts are under the guidance of the South Carolina Court Administration. Magistrates are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor upon the advice and consent of the Senate.

Each county has a chief magistrate appointed by the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court.

Magistrates generally have criminal trial jurisdiction over all offenses subject to the penalty of a fine, as set by statute, but generally, not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both. Assessments and court costs may be added to the fine.

In addition, they are responsible for setting bail, conducting preliminary hearings, and issuing arrest and search warrants.

Magistrates have civil jurisdiction when the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,500.

Magistrate civil jurisdiction include such matters as Summons and Complaints (Small Claims), landlord/tenant actions, sales of abandoned property, and Claim and Delivery.

Additionally, magistrates may also issue Restraining Orders under the Harassment and Stalking statute as well as Emergency Orders of Protection when Family Court is not in session.

These services are provided by magistrates in different areas of the county for the convenience of the citizens.

For these services, citizens would see the magistrate in the area in which the person lives that they are attempting to take to court. For an arrest warrant the public would need to contact their local law enforcement agency.

Department Functions

• Review Development Plans Submittals
• Review Exempt and Minor Subdivision Plat Submittals
• Review of building permits for Zoning Compliance
• Zoning Verification/Confirmation Letters

Requests shall be submitted using the form linked here and will be fulfilled via email upon receipt of payment. Payment may be received online by following the prompts provided by the Department. Please be advised that any additional information requested may require a FOIA Request per the Freedom of Information Act, Section 30-4-10, et seq., Code of Laws of South Carolina (1976, as amended).

• Requests for Waivers from the Planning Commission
• Zoning Use Approval Forms for 911 Addressing
• Administer the Zoning and Development Standards Ordinance and the Land Development and Subdivision Regulations. To obtain information about a property, please refer to the Official Zoning Map, which is available as a layer in the Berkeley County GIS Web Map. You may also refer to the Zoning District Cheat Sheet for a brief description of each Zoning District. Setback and Dimensional Standards Guide.