Certificate of Occupancy

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) application is required for any business with a physical location within the city limits. 

A business license must be issued in conjunction with the Certificate of Occupancy in order for a business to operate. Please visit our Revenue Collections page for more information.

Estimated Review Time: Our team’s goal is to respond to initial applications within 2 business days and reviews are given a 10 business day turnaround time. Please note that incomplete applications, missing attachments, failed inspections, or failure to pay fees will extend this process. Our team notifies applicants via the CSS portal to request revisions or when inspections are ready to be scheduled. Upon passing inspection, paying fees, and being issued a business license businesses will receive approval and may open.

The Certificate of Occupancy Application includes:

Submit Application: Submit completed Certificate of Occupancy through the City's Customer Self Service (CSS) Portal | email to permits@charleston-sc.gov | by mail or drop off at the Permit Center | 2 George Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Customer Self Service (CSS) Portal

Create a Customer Self Service (CSS) account to apply for permits, schedule inspections, renew business licenses, search public records, and more!

  1. Complete the CSS online account authorization form.
  2.  Register your CSS Account. Please note, this can take up to 3 business days to process.

If you have trouble creating an account, contact our Digital Services Specialist at (843) 579-7683 or davisl@charleston-sc.gov 

Zoning

The Zoning Department will confirm that the property you are planning to occupy is zoned for your business's particular use. Contact Zoning at (843) 579-6414 before signing a lease or purchasing property to ensure you can operate your type of business at that particular location. 

Zoning regulations address a wide range of issues, including type of commercial use, allowed hours of business use, parking, and signage. 

You can also view which properties are located within the City limits and their zoning designations using the City's Interactive Zoning Map. 

Building Inspections

The Building Inspections Division verifies the proposed occupied space has the required life-safety means of egress and minimum number of required restroom plumbing fixtures for the Certificate of Occupancy.  

Floor Plans: All CO applications require a detailed floor plan of the space the business is planning to occupy. Any business that is not an assembly, restaurant, or institutional space can submit a hand-drawn floor plan following the Required Attachments - Floor Plan guide.  

Building Permits: Any building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel-gas work requires additional permits. Visit the Permit Center - Applications & Guidelines page for more information. 

Fire Marshal - Fire Inspection

The Fire Marshal Division conducts a fire safety inspection by reviewing the business activity and facility to help ensure minimum fire safety requirements have been achieved. The applicant must complete the Fire Inspection Self Survey as part of their CO application and provide it to the Fire Marshal at the time of inspection.  

Once all internal reviews are complete, the applicant will receive an email notification to schedule an in-person Fire Inspection through the City's Customer Self-Service (CSS) Portal. Please note: This can take up to 3 business days to schedule. 

If you have questions about scheduling your Fire Inspection, please contact (843) 724-3429. You can also find your designated Fire Marshal through the City's Fire Marshal Assignment Map. 

Placement of Certificate of Occupancy

The Certificate of Occupancy must be framed and posted within 10 feet of the primary entry door, or approved alternate location, with the top of the frame measuring no higher than 6 feet above the floor and an immediate view of the public.