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planning & Development

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Brandon Roberts

Planning & Development Director

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Madison Workman

Planning and GIS

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Hours of Operation

9am-5pm Monday - Friday

Email: planninganddevelopment@cityoflaurenssc.com

Office: (864) 984-2613 - Fax: (864) 681-2613

CONTACT
P&D PERMITS

PERMITS

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quick links

 

 

Contractors must be licensed through the South Carolina Contractor’s Licensing Board.

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P&D INFO

Information

The Planning and Development Department’s mission is to guide quality growth, enhance the quality of life for residents, and ensure all building code standards are met throughout the City of Laurens. We verify that minimum construction standards are followed to protect and provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all Laurens citizens and the environment.

The department serves a variety of functions for the City of Laurens including:
  • Permitting and Building Inspections

    • Building Staff reviews plans and issues the appropriate permits for each individual project then, monitors construction work to ensure it conforms to established building codes.

      • Building Code

        • The purpose of this code is to provide minimum requirements to safeguard the public safety, health, and general welfare, through affordability, structural strength, means of egress facilities, stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.

      • Building Official

        • The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provision of this code. The building official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code and to adopt policies and procedures in order to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies, and procedures shall be in conformance with the intent and purpose of this code. Such policies and procedures shall not have the effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for in this code.

      • Inspections

        • The building official is authorized to make all the required inspections or the building official shall have the authority to accept reports of inspection by approved agencies or individuals. Reports of such inspections shall be in writing and be certified by a responsible officer of such approved agency or by the responsible individual. The building official is authorized to engage such expert opinion as deemed necessary to report upon unusual technical issues that arise, subject to the approval of the appointing authority.

 

  • Codes Enforcement

    • Provides additional health, safety, and welfare of the general public through the equal enforcement of all applicable codes and ordinances.

    • Have a complaint? Contact our department staff about the problem

    • Violations- Any person violating any provision of the ordinance shall be deemed guilty of an offense and shall be subject to a fine of up to $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days upon conviction. Each day of violation shall be considered a separate offense. Punishment for violation shall not relieve the offender of liability for delinquent penalties and costs provided.

 

  • Planning & Zoning

    • Planning staff evaluate, monitor, and develop the City’s comprehensive plan, and land use policy; facilitate annexation; and work with neighborhoods, historic preservation, and urban design projects. Facilitates and implements long and short-range plans for the City of Laurens.

​​Certificate of Occupancy

The purpose of a Certificate of Occupancy inspection is to ensure that the residential or commercial structure meets the City’s safety guidelines for that structure’s intended use. This inspection is conducted to maintain the safety of all City of Laurens residents and visitors who may be present at that structure.

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The city guidelines for these inspections for both residential and commercial structures are attached below. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact our department.

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Certificate of Occupancy inspection for residential properties is $30

Certificate of Occupancy inspection for commercial properties is $60.

 

The fee covers the application processing, the inspection, and one potential reinspection (if needed). These can be paid at city hall with cash, check, or card when you fill out the Certificate of Occupancy inspection request form.

If a second reinspection is required and the inspector must inspect the property a third time for the same Certificate of Occupancy request, then additional fees will occur. 

All Commercial property inspections will be conducted by the Building Official and the Fire Marshall.

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City of Laurens
Boards and Commissions

Planning Commission​

  • The City of Laurens Planning Commission makes recommendations to City Council on the following topics: Zoning and Annexation requests, Overlay district expansions, City of Laurens Comprehensive Plan updates, and Subdivision approvals.

  • Planning Commission has 9 members that meet once a month on the second Tuesday of every month at 11:00 am.

Board of Zoning Appeals

  • The City of Laurens’s Board of Zoning Appeals reviews variations from the City Ordinance requests, land use issues, and administrative decision appeals.

  • The Board of Zoning appeals has 5 members and meets as needed based on requests.

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Historic Preservation Commission

  • The City of Laurens’s Historic Preservation Commission oversees changes and requests by any property that is within the Historic Preservation Overlay District. These include Architectural changes, Sign approvals, Certificate of Appropriateness application requests, etc. Their goal is to preserve and protect the properties within the Historic Preservation Overlay District.

  • The Historic Preservation Commission has Seven members that meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm.

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Related Applications

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Rental and Vacant Property Registration

Rental

Rental Property registration

Purpose of this Program:

The City of Laurens recognizes the need for a registration program for residential rental units located within the city in order to improve compliance of rental units with all applicable building, property maintenance, fire, health, safety, and zoning codes, and to provide an efficient system for compelling both absentee and local landlords to correct violations and maintain, in proper condition, rental property within the city. The city recognizes that the most efficient system is the creation of a program requiring the registration of residential rental units within the city as defined in this article.

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For more information, please see the City of Laurens Ordinance: RENTAL HOUSING REGISTRATION & RENTAL HOUSING REGULATION

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How to Register:

  1. Fill out the Rental Registration form (HERE)

    • Include information about the property, the property owner, and if applicable the contact information for the responsible agent in charge of the property on behalf of the owner

  2. Email it to planninganddevelopment@cityoflaurenssc.com or drop off the form at City Hall located at 126 E Public Square Laurens SC 29360

  3. The Planning and Development Department will email confirmation of the completed registration to the email address provided on the form

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Registration and Reregistration:

  1. Registration is valid for 1 year, starting from the date it was initially registered.

  2. All properties will need to be re-registered every year.

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A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY WILL NOT BE ISSUED FOR ANY RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY NOT REGISTERED!

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Fees:

There are no registration fees that are required for this program.

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For assistance:

If property owners are not clear as to how to register, they may contact the City of Lauren’s Planning and Development Department at planninganddevelopment@cityoflaurenssc.com or via telephone at (864) 984-2613 Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Department staff will respond at their earliest convenience.

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Important Links:

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Vacant building Registration

Purpose of this Program:

Vacant Buildings pose hazards as they: are more likely to create serious safety risks (gas leaks, fire hazards, rodents, etc.), can become a safe haven for crime, lower neighboring property values, and deprive the community of opportunities for reinvestment. The City of Laurens recognizes the need for a registration program for vacant buildings located within the city in order to address the hazards that Vacant buildings pose and encourage positive financial growth.

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For more information, please see the City of Laurens Ordinance: ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE REGISTRATION OF VACANT BUILDINGS IN THE CITY OF LAURENS

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How to Register:

  1. Fill out the Vacant Building Registration form

    • Include information about the property, the property owner, and if applicable the contact information for the responsible agent in charge of the property on behalf of the owner

  2. Email it to planninganddevelopment@cityoflaurenssc.com or drop off the form at City Hall located at 126 E Public Square Laurens SC 29360

  3. The Planning and Development Department will email confirmation of the completed registration to the email address provided on the form.

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Registration and Reregistration:

  • Registration is valid for 1 year, starting from the date it was initially registered.

  • All properties will need to be re-registered every year.

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Vacant Buildings Exempt from Registration:

Vacant Buildings that will qualify for exemption must be:

  • A registered rental property

  • If the building is actively for sale

  • If the building is leased with a real estate broker

  • If the building is managed by a licensed property management company

  • If the building is an accessory structure- not built for occupancy

  • If the owner is away for work, military, or medical needs and has subsequent documentation

  • If the property has multiple units with at least one unit occupied

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Fees:

There are no registration fees that are required for this program.

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Vacant Building Plans:

After the registration of the vacant building, the City of Laurens will inspect the building with the property owner and help the property owner develop a plan to address all code violations. These plans will be submitted to the City of Laurens Planning and Development department by the property owners following the inspection of the vacant buildings.

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For assistance:

If property owners are not clear as to how to register, they may contact the City of Lauren’s Planning and Development Department at planninganddevelopment@cityoflaurenssc.com or via telephone at (864) 984-2613 Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Department staff will respond at their earliest convenience.

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Important Links:

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