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Town Hall will be closed on the following upcoming dates:
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Wednesday, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve
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Thursday, Dec. 25 - Christmas Day. Offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025.
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Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 - New Year's Day. Offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.
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Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Offices will reopen 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026
Please note that no building inspections will be completed on holidays.
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As of Jan. 1, 2026, the 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) will be enforced for all applicable swimming pool and spa construction projects within the Town’s jurisdiction. This code establishes minimum standards to ensure the safety, accessibility, and efficiency of pool and spa installations. Below are eight key features of the 2021 ISPSC:
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Barrier Requirements: Standards for fencing, gates, and other barriers to prevent unauthorized or unsupervised access, especially by children.
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Entrapment Prevention: Compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act, which requires approved drain covers and suction-limiting systems to reduce entrapment hazards.
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Water Quality and Circulation: Requirements for water clarity, filtration, disinfection, and circulation to maintain sanitary conditions.
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Structural Integrity: Guidelines for materials, construction methods, and load-bearing requirements to ensure long-term safety and durability.
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Accessibility: Provisions to improve access for individuals with disabilities, consistent with American with Disabilites Act (ADA) standards.
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Energy Efficiency: Promotes energy-saving measures including efficient pumps, pool covers, and heating systems.
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Equipment Rooms: New standards for layout, ventilation, and access to mechanical and chemical storage areas.
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Design and Dimensions: Regulates pool slopes, depths, diving envelopes, and entry/exit points to minimize injury risks.
What You Need to Do:
- Ensure all plans submitted after Jan. 1, 2026, comply with the 2021 ISPSC.
- Review the full code in its entirety.
- Contact Tony Pierce, Interim Building Official, at 843-341-4664 with any questions regarding compliance questions.
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If you have a Bond connected to your State License, please notify us before the expiration date of the updated expiration date to avoid holds on any active permits. Because bonds all renew individually, we have no way of automatically updating our system for that information. Please contact CDIC if your bond expiration needs to be updated at CDIC@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or at 843-341-4757.
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 We are pleased to announce two key additions to our planning team.
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Zachary ("Zac") Gordon, A.I.C.P., joined the Town as Planning Director in November 2025. He has more than 30 years of planning and community development experience, most recently serving as Planning Director for the Town of Harrisburg, North Carolina. He holds a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University and is a Certified Planner. Zac looks forward to working collaboratively with staff, residents, and partners to support thoughtful growth while preserving what makes our community unique. |
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Scott Sodemann, A.I.A., rejoined the Town in November as Plans Examiner in the Building Division. Scott previously served in this role from 2017 to 2021 and has decades of architectural experience. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois and is a licensed architect in South Carolina, as well as a Certified Floodplain Manager and Certified Building Official. |
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As Development Services Program Manager, Trey is responsible for reviewing and managing development applications and projects on Hilton Head Island. This includes working with planners to evaluate development proposals for compliance with the Town's Land Management Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan.
How long have you been on Hilton Head Island?
I’ve spent a total of seven years on Hilton Head Island—six of them from 2019 to today, plus one year as a toddler. I actually learned to walk here.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job with the Town?
The people—both the colleagues I get to work with and the community we serve every day.
If you had to give a visitor a “must do” on Hilton Head Island, what would it be? Explore and learn the Island’s rich history and culture of the Island.
What’s your favorite season/month on the island and why? Spring. The weather is beautiful, The Heritage brings great energy, and the Island is full of events and an overall vibrant atmosphere.
What’s a skill or hobby you have that might surprise others? I am a trained auctioneer.
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 Save time. Skip the line.
The Customer Self Service (CSS) Portal is becoming the go-to choice for residents and contractors alike.
- Over 40% of plans and permits are now submitted through the portal.
- Over 2,000 permits have already been issued using CSS this year alone.
- Some permits, like roofing or HVAC permits, can even be issued immediately upon payment fees. No waiting is required!
Easy to use, easy to access
From your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can:
- Submit applications and upload documents.
- Track the status of your project in real time.
- Schedule inspections with just a few clicks.
- Pay securely online.
Avoid these common delays when using the portal
- Attach all items required for your application type.
- Use the checklist found on our Forms and Applications Page to ensure that you have all required documents and information.
- Don’t forget your Window and Door Form if your project includes those changes.
- If you check approved shutters, be sure to specify the type.
- Please be sure to fill in all boxes horizontally in your appropriate section for the mean roof height for your structure.
- If you have an electrician, plumber, HVAC contractor or gas contractor on the job, you will be required to have a Certificate of Work for each contractor. Be sure those are attached to avoid delays in processing.
- Provide a clear, detailed project description so anyone reviewing the permit can easily understand the work.
- When in doubt, provide more information rather than less.
- For any interior renovations, be sure to include the fact that you will be updating the fire and carbon monoxide monitors per code.
- If completing a bathroom or kitchen renovation, be sure to note if all appliances and plumbing will be in the same location or moving.
- Most permit types have three options: one for single-family homes, one for commercial properties and one for multi-family uses such as condominium complexes. If you’re unsure which permit type to choose, please call Community Development Information Center at 843-681-4757 for assistance.
- Make sure you have the correct license to complete your project. Commercial licenses are required for work over $5,000 in buildings with over 16 units or with four or more stories.
- Please pay your invoice promptly so your application can move forward as quickly as possible. You will receive the invoice within one business day of submitting your application.
Need extra help?
If you would like a personalized walk-through of the portal, we’re happy to help. Contact Katie Kabala, Community Development Services Manager, at 843-341-4698 to set up a virtual individualized learning session tailored to your needs.
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