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This past August, the Town Council approved amendments to the Land Management Ordinance that update municipal codes concerning tree protections, construction management standards, and major subdivisions. The ordinances can be found here. Here is a summary of Town Council actions related to those ordinances:
- Enhanced tree protections including stronger preservation requirements for Live Oak and Laurel Oak trees, requiring larger replacement trees for mitigation purposes, an expanded native plant list, and extension of specimen tree protections to include all single-family lots to reduce unnecessary removal of significant trees.
- Added a new section regarding construction management standards that will require improved site management and safety during construction activities and certain severe weather events. The changes address noise and hours of operation, stormwater discharge, refuse and site cleanliness, traffic and parking, site management, and enforcement issues.
- Amended the Major Subdivision, Minor Development Plan, and Major Development Plan review processes to improve transparency, enhance community involvement, and ensure that the public is better informed about potential developments in their neighborhoods. The updated process includes provisions designed to increase public notice and provide more opportunities for community engagement. The Planning Commission will ensure that community members have a platform to learn about proposed larger developments and certain minor improvements adjacent to residential areas, as well as the opportunity to ask questions.
- Changed design regulations and requirements for major subdivisions that improve common open space and pedestrian and cyclist connectivity. The changes will refine the definition, calculation, and design standards for open space within development, emphasizing connectivity and design consistency; prioritize functional, connected, and accessible common open space, enhancing the quality of life for residents; enhance walkability and improve community interaction; and ensure a cohesive aesthetic within the Town's subdivisions.
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With our new system, we strive to make sure every inspection occurs as scheduled. No more surprise delays or last-minute rollovers. Each inspector is assigned a manageable daily schedule, allowing us to keep appointments as planned. Although unexpected situations, such as illness or emergencies, may occasionally require us to reschedule an inspection, these instances are rare. We appreciate our contractors understanding when they do occur.
How it works: Each day has a set number of inspection slots that we know we can complete.Once those slots are filled, new requests automatically go to the next available business day. If you are booking using the Online Customer Self-Service Portal, please note that requests for inspection dates are not guaranteed. Please check back within 24 hours of your request for your confirmed inspection date. Inspections usually update in the afternoon or the following morning.
Pro tip: Schedule your inspection as soon as you know you'll be ready. This guarantees you'll get your preferred date and time. Last-minute bookings may need to wait until the next available day.
This change means more reliable service and better planning for everyone!
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How long have you been working with the Town of Hilton Head Island? This is my sixth year working for the Town of Hilton Head, but I've been in the Lowcountry longer. I moved from Newport News, Virginia, and live in Bluffton.
What are your favorite things to do on your days off? Spend time with my wife and our 4-year-old child, especially golfing together.
What is the most exciting part of your current role? Learning about new products, technology and techniques, and educating colleagues in my department.
What is the best thing about Hilton Head? I like that the Town makes it a priority to maintain as much green space as possible, making the area feel less commercialized.
Share a random fact about you. I held a security clearance above Top Secret while supervising the inspection division for the Navy’s submarine and aircraft carrier construction programs.
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Important reminder regarding construction hours
Noise related to construction activity must be limited to the hours of 7 a.m. until 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. No construction is allowed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
State License Bond Expiration Date
If you have a bond associated with your state license, please inform us of the updated expiration date before it expires. This will help prevent any holds on your active permits. Because bonds all renew individually, we have no way of automatically updating our system for that information. Please contact at CDIC@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or at 843-341-4757 so we update your bond expiration date in our system.
Inspector qualifications
Did you know that our Building Inspection Team holds over 86 International Code Council certifications? Each certification requires months of training and studying and hours of testing. Each year the team is also required to obtain continuing education hours to retain their certifications. Our team is extremely knowledgeable in the International Building Code and work hard to ensure that construction on Hilton Head Island meets all required safety standards. Don’t hesitate to reach out to these experts if you have questions on how your project can meet the current code requirements.
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Check out our CSS Landing Page. We recently added a few more permit types that you can apply for online:
- Roofing Permits
- Solar System Permits
- HVAC Change Out Permits
- HVAC Ductwork Permits
- Electrical Permits
- Plumbing Permits
- Renovation Permits including specific permits for:
- Siding or Wood Rot Repair
- New Windows and/or Doors
- Kitchen Renovations
- Bathroom Renovations
- Deck Repairs
- Note: Using these specified permits when applicable will expedite processing of those permit types, as the workflow is already set up for the required inspections for that type of work.
- Demolition Permits
- Addition Permits
- New Pool Permits
- Pool or Spa Renovations
- Irrigation Permits
- New Structures including new single-family homes, new duplexes, new multifamily structures and new commercial structures
- Tents, Stages and Bounce Houses
Please be aware that you are still responsible for providing all required documents. However, these can also be submitted as attachments through the portal. If any items are missing, the CDIC staff will notify you before issuing the permit.
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