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- Departments
- Public Service
- Building Inspections
- Permit Center
- How to Navigate Customer Self Service (CSS)
How to Navigate Customer Self Service (CSS)
How to Register for a CSS Account
How to Apply for a Permit
- How to view approved/stamped documents (Coming Soon)
- How to view plan review comments
- How to view submittal status (Coming Soon)
- Recommendation for Submitting New Single Family (Coming Soon)
- How to Print a Permit Placard (PDF)
Inspections
- How to schedule an inspection (PDF)
- How to view your inspection results (PDF)
- Inspection scheduling troubleshooting (Coming Soon)
Public Records
- How to Search Public Records (PDF)
- How to Search for Building Code Board of Appeals (Coming Soon)
- How to Search for Elevation Certificates (Coming Soon)
Short-Term Rental/Operational Permit
Customer Self Service (CSS)- FAQs
- I see social sign in options such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, or Facebook. What does this mean, and can I sign in this way?
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DO NOT SIGN IN THIS WAY unless your existing CSS login information is the same as what you use for Google/Apple/Microsoft/Facebook. If you use a personal email for Google/Apple/Microsoft/Facebook, but a business email for CSS, then your CSS account will NOT properly link to your records when you sign in.
These are one-click logins authenticated based on your existing Google/Apple/Microsoft/Facebook account. Clicking one of these buttons will sign you into CSS using the same email and password you use for Google/Apple/Microsoft/Facebook.
- Not Receiving Password Reset Verification Code
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If the customer does not receive a link, click Back to sign in>Create an account using the same information. This will confirm a duplicate account sending a verification code from Community Access Identity.
NOTE: This will not create a new account. Existing information will be transferred.
- No Longer Have Access to Email
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If customer no longer have access to original CSS registered email a new registration must be completed. Once submitted the account will be reviewed, approved, and linked appropriately if necessary to a company or previous account.
- Change Password
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Click reset password>enter your email> and follow the instructions in the email to reset the password.
- Change Contact Name or Email Address on My Account
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Log into CSS. In the upper right-hand corner, click on your username > My Account > Personal Info. Change the name or email address and click Save. Note this does not change the email address for registrations only for CSS correspondence.
- Change Address on My Account
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Log into CSS. In the upper right-hand corner, click on your username > My Account > Address. Enter the address and click Save. Note this does not change the business address and Customers should contact the Business License for further assistance.
- CSS Online Account is Locked
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If a customer enters the incorrect login credentials, they will receive an “account locked” error message. Click Unlock account>enter email address>follow the instructions in email to unlock account. Contact the Digital Services Specialist if further support is needed.
- Unable to Locate Permit
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Log in to CSS>click My Work>My Permits, change Display drop down box to Active. Enter address in search bar for permit. Note: Do not enter the address in the search box before changing filter as the default setting will only show last year’s permits and may not locate the permit.
- How to Confirm Online Application Was Received?
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To check if permit was received you may check two places at the top in the black bar click on dashboard>My Permits>View My Permits>and in the Display drop-down change if from Active to All>if you see your permit application was received. Another option is top in the black bar click on My Work>in the Display drop-down change if from Active to All>if you see your permit application was received. Click on Permit number to review submission and for permit status.
- See Cases but Cannot Access Them
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Customers can see the case by searching but not access the case to request inspections, pay fees or print attached documents.
This problem is caused by there being several contacts for the customer in EnerGov or contact information may not be on master permit. Customers should contact the Digital Services Specialist for assistance.
- Is My Address in the City Limits?
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You can search your property using our GIS Map. The green shaded areas are in the City of Charleston. More useful property search tools by visiting our Charleston City GIS website, using the MAPNET feature.
- Cannot Request Inspection Due to Error Message
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Contact the Digital Services Specialist for assistance.
- Cannot Request Inspection
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The customer is logged into CSS and sees their permit but cannot request an inspection. This is caused by the customer not being a contact on the master permit. Contact the Permit Center for assistance.
- Cannot Request Inspection Due to Prerequisites
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Inspections have a priority order for the inspections to be done. Sometimes this order is not applicable to the permit.
However, if you see Link to Building Permit, it means there was/is construction work being done at this location. It will not allow an inspection if there are outstanding inspections on the construction permit. Contact the Inspections to confirm prerequisites.
- Failed Inspections
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Inspections must be passed before scheduled new inspections. Contact the Inspections to confirm or reschedule and pass prerequisite inspections.
- When is My Inspection Happening Today
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See “Today’s Inspection” link on the CSS home page or under the “View” tab in the black banner menu when logged into CSS. Inspections are in order of when they will be completed. Contact Inspections and your Primary Inspector (8-4, M-F) for an estimate on when they will be at your property.
- How Do I Know My Inspection Request Has Been Received by the City?
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After requesting an inspection, the screen will refresh and now you can see the inspection listed. Alternatively, click on the Dashboard and scroll down to My Inspections and view the Requested inspections.
- Re-scheduling or Canceling Inspection already Scheduled
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Once a requested inspection has been scheduled, a customer cannot cancel or change the requested inspection date in CSS. Contact Inspections for assistance.
- Inspection Results
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Inspection results are in the Checklist. Click on Permit number > Inspections button > Inspection number > Checklist.
- How to Confirm an Inspection is Requested
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Click on Dashboard and scroll down to My Inspections. The red Requested bubble will have a count of requested inspections.
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Latasha Davis
Digital Services SpecialistPhone: 843-579-7683
- Apply for Sub-Permits
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All sub/trade permit applications should be submitted via businesslicense@charleston-sc.gov. See Applications & Guidelines for further instructions under Trade Permits.
- The Address is Not Found
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Try to enter only the street number and the name of the street without the street modifier or unit number, e.g. enter 1650 30, not 1650 30th Street. If your address is still not found, you are not in City of Charleston’s jurisdiction and found an error contact the Digital Services Specialist for assistance.
- Parcel Holds
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In the CSS portal, “Holds” are alerts or actual holds. Contact the Permit Center to confirm this and get information on how to lift hold.
- Cannot Pay Fees
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Permit may not have been invoiced yet. Reach out to our Revenue Collections Division if your status is “Release for Insurance” or Invoiced and unable to pay.
Invoices may be paid on CSS homepage under the Pay Invoice if you know the invoice number. A customer is logged into CSS and sees the invoice but cannot pay it. The CSS/Contact is not on the invoice as a billable contact. Contact the Permit Center for assistance.
- What is the Status of My Permit?
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The status of a permit can be found by using the “Search Permits” tool located on the CSS homepage. Customers listed as an authorized contact on a permit may see additional details when they are logged into their CSS account. These details are found the “Reviews” tab, and include:
• Status of an individual review
• Date an individual review was completed
• Anticipated permit due date
- How to Print Permit
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Please view our guide before troubleshooting: How to Print a Permit Placard (PDF)
CSS allows printing for certain permits and doesn’t allow print function for business licenses or operational permits. If the permit has not been paid in full or is not in “Issued” status. If paid and printout not available for printing, contact our Revenue Collections Division for assistance.
- Cannot Find Approval Documents
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Approval comments or permit placard documents are in Attachments on the permit detail page. If you do not see the documents needed contact the Digital Services Specialist for assistance.
- Cannot Find Recent Uploaded Documents
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Any additional submissions after the initial submittal should be emailed to permits@charleston-sc.gov as there is no subsequent notification system. An email is required as notification for your documents to be reviewed and processed.
Documents submitted through CSS must be reviewed and accepted by staff before they are fully processed into our system. They will not be available to be viewed through CSS. Documents will be made available online to be viewed by applicant and the general public once they have been approved. If a document has been approved, but you cannot locate it in the portal, please email permits@charleston-sc.gov to see if the document can be made available online.
- View Plan Review Comments
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There are two areas to look. One way, click on Permit number > Review tab > Click arrow to expand the review > Comments. The second way will be located under the Permit number>Attachments tab.
- Apply for Business License
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Currently business license applications are not available for online submission. Applications will be accepted by mail, in-person at 2 George St or emailed to businesslicense@charleston-sc.gov. See New Business Licenses for further instructions one different types or business licenses available.
- Renew Business License
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If a customer has CSS portal renewals are available through portal. Log in-click on my work tab-my license-blue renew blue button. Enter gross into reported receipts and follow steps. If not see Business License Renewals for further information.
- Cancellation of Business License
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If you no longer own your business or if your business closed during the previous year, you must download, complete, and submit the Cancellation of Business License Form (PDF) to businesslicense@charleston-sc.gov.
- Change of Ownership
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If you sell your commercial location business, the new owner must file for a new business license. Business licenses are not transferable to new business owners. See New Business Licenses for further assistance.
- Business Address Change Within City Limits
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The new Certificate of Occupancy application must be completed. See Certificate of Occupancy for more assistance.
- When is Hospitality and Tour Tax Due
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See our Hospitality Tax or Tour Tax page for more information.
- How to Pay Online
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Log in to CSS>Upper right-hand corner, drop down box next to your name>Click on My Business>Click business number>Blue File Now
- Cannot See My Hospitality
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This problem is caused by there being several contacts for the customer in EnerGov, or accounts may require manual input. Customers should contact Hospitality for assistance.