Horry County Concrete Permits: What Conway Homeowners Need to Know
One of the most common questions we get from Conway homeowners is whether their concrete project requires a permit. The answer varies by project type and jurisdiction — Horry County’s rules differ slightly from the City of Conway’s requirements, and both differ from what many homeowners expect based on experience in other states. This guide gives you a clear breakdown of permit requirements for the most common concrete projects in the Conway area, based on the current rules from Horry County Code Enforcement and the City of Conway Building Department.
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Why Permits Matter for Concrete Work in Conway
A permit does several things that protect the homeowner. It creates a record of the work with the county or city, which matters when you sell the property. It triggers an inspection, which catches issues before they’re buried under finished concrete. And it documents that the work was done by a licensed contractor — a South Carolina requirement for most concrete work.
Working without a required permit can result in: stop-work orders requiring demolition of completed work, fines, difficulty selling the property (unpermitted work surfaces in title searches), and loss of insurance coverage for claims related to unpermitted improvements. Understanding which projects need permits — and which don’t — is worth a few minutes of research before you start.
Permit Requirements by Project Type
Concrete driveways (Horry County): Horry County explicitly exempts residential sidewalks and driveways from building permit requirements for most applications. This means the majority of driveway replacements and new driveway installations in unincorporated Horry County can proceed without a permit. This exemption does not apply to driveways that involve structural modifications to curb cuts on public roads — those require separate approval from the county road department.
Concrete driveways (City of Conway): The City of Conway requires all concrete work to be performed by licensed contractors. Homeowners who wish to serve as their own contractor must file a disclosure statement with the Horry County Register of Deeds, acknowledging that they will occupy the home and not sell or rent it within two years. Any contractor you hire must hold a valid South Carolina Residential Builder License or General Contractor License and a City of Conway business license.
Concrete patios (Horry County): Most freestanding residential concrete patios in unincorporated Horry County are exempt from permit requirements. Patios attached to the home’s foundation or those involving structural connections may require review. When in doubt, a phone call to Horry County Code Enforcement (843-915-5090) clarifies your specific situation before you start.
Retaining walls: Retaining walls under 4 feet in height are generally exempt from permits in Horry County. Walls over 4 feet require a building permit and structural engineering review. This is an important distinction — many homeowners build walls right at the 4-foot threshold to avoid the permit requirement, but engineered walls are almost always safer and more durable.
Foundation work and structural concrete: Any work involving foundation elements, footings, or structural concrete connections requires a building permit in both Horry County and the City of Conway. This includes foundation crack repair that involves significant concrete removal and replacement, underpinning, and slab replacement adjacent to foundation walls. South Carolina contractor licensing requirements for this work are more stringent than for simple flatwork.
Decks and slabs attached to structures: Unattached decks and slabs under 200 square feet are exempt from permits in Horry County. Slabs attached to the dwelling require a permit.
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Practical Uses: The Permit Process in Conway
Standard driveway replacement in unincorporated Horry County: No permit required in most cases. Your contractor must be licensed under South Carolina law, and you should verify their license before work begins. The work doesn’t need inspection, but hiring a licensed contractor protects you if disputes arise.
Driveway project within the City of Conway limits: Contractor must be licensed by the state and hold a City of Conway business license. If you’re doing the work yourself, file the homeowner disclosure statement with the Register of Deeds first. City limits include most of the Historic Downtown area and nearby neighborhoods.
Patio project near the Waccamaw River: Properties near waterways may be subject to additional review under Horry County’s floodplain management regulations. If your property is in a flood zone (check FEMA’s flood map service), any grading or concrete work near the waterway may require floodplain development permit review. This is separate from the building permit system.
New garage slab in Carolina Forest: If Carolina Forest is in unincorporated Horry County (most of it is), residential garage slabs typically require a building permit because they’re attached to the home’s structure. The permit triggers a foundation inspection before the pour — a useful quality checkpoint that verifies base preparation.
Commercial concrete projects anywhere in Horry County: All commercial concrete projects require permits regardless of size or type. Commercial contractor licensing requirements are more stringent than residential. This applies to business owners planning any concrete work on commercial properties in the Conway or Myrtle Beach corridor.
How to Verify Permit Requirements
The most reliable way to confirm whether your project needs a permit is to contact the relevant authority directly:
- Horry County Code Enforcement: (843) 915-5090
- City of Conway Building Department: (843) 488-9888
Both offices can advise on specific project types. For any project near a waterway, also contact the Horry County Stormwater Management Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do my own concrete work in Conway without a contractor?
South Carolina law allows homeowners to act as their own general contractor for work on their owner-occupied primary residence. To do so in the City of Conway, you must file a disclosure statement with the Horry County Register of Deeds and meet the residency requirements. You are still responsible for the work meeting building codes and passing any required inspections.
What happens if I build concrete without a required permit?
Working without a required permit can result in stop-work orders, required demolition and reconstruction of the work, fines, and difficulty during property title searches when you sell. Insurance claims related to unpermitted work may also be denied. The permit process exists to protect homeowners — skipping it to save time or money typically costs more in the end.
Does a concrete contractor need to be licensed in Conway SC?
Yes. South Carolina requires residential contractors to be licensed for work valued at $5,000 or more. The City of Conway additionally requires a local business license. Always ask to see a contractor’s South Carolina license number and verify it at the SC Contractor’s Licensing Board website before signing a contract. See our guide to hiring concrete contractors in Conway for a full checklist.
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