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1. What are the requirements to add a mobile home to an individual lot?

Placing a Mobile Home on an Individual Lot  in Port Royal

-Obtain a Town of Port Royal Mobile Home Authorization form from the Town's Planning and Zoning office.

-Take this completed form and mobile home title work to Beaufort County Building Codes to obtain a Mobile Home Moving Permit (sticker)

-Complete a Town of Port Royal Application for Permit and submit to the Town with appropriate Permit Fees.

               -Mobile Homes must be places on a permanent foundation.  A foundation plan must be submitted with the application and will be reviewed by the Building Inspector.

               -Mobile Homes must have a front porch with a roof.  A construction drawing must be submitted with the application and will be reviewed y the Building Inspector.

               -Contractors and Subcontractors must have State Licenses and Port Royal Business Licenses.

2. What are the requirements to do construction or renovations in Port Royal?

Building Permit Requirements for Contractors

A permit is required for most work / improvements (excluding some interior remodeling including painting, doors, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work).

General Contractor requirements:

• A Town of Port Royal Business License is required
• A South Carolina State License is required for any of the following:
  • General Contractor (Residential or Commercial work over $5,000)
  • Residential Home Builder (Residential work only)
  • Specialty Contractor (Residential work only; not to exceed $4,999.99 or be bonded through SC Labor, Licensing, and Regulations [LLR])

 Electrical, Plumbing, Gas, and Mechanical Contractors:

• A Town of Port Royal Business License is required
• A South Carolina State License is required for any of the following:
  • Specialty Contractor (Residential work only; not to exceed $4,999.99 or be bonded through SC Labor, Licensing, and Regulations [LLR])
  • South Carolina Mechanical Contractor's License (Residential or required for all Commercial work)
  • For gas work; Mechanical Plumber or Specialty heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor license is required for any gas work (including putting pressure on a gas line)

Work on Your Own Property

A homeowner who owns his own home and lives there and is performing work himself may be issued a permit.  See "Homeowner as Builder / Contractor" Form under Forms and Documents.

Work on Someone Else's Property

Any individual performing work on someone else's property is considered a contractor and is required to have the items listed under Building Permit Requirements for Contractors above.

3. Who needs a Building Permit?

Any owner or contractor constructing a new building or making alternations to existing buildings

4. How do I apply for a Building Permit?

The Building Permit Application Form can be found in the Forms and Documents section of this website or by visiting Port Royal Town Hall during business hours and requesting an  Building Permit Application Form.

5. How much does a Building Permit cost?

It depends on the cost of construction.  See the Fee Schedule in the Building Codes Packet under Forms and Documents.  If you need help calculating your fees please contact the Permit Administrator.

6. How long is a Building Permit valid?

Building permits are valid for 6 months

7. How long does it take for a Building Permit to be approved?

It depends on a number of factors, scope of project, 

8. As a Homeowner do I need a Building Permit to do work on my own house?

Generally for interior work, for example painting,  no permit is needed.  However, is good practice to check with the Town's Building Official before attempting to do the work yourself for your safety and others.  Electrical or gas related updates to your home may require a permit.

9. If I suspect a Building Code violation is happening on property near me, how can I register a complaint?

Call the Building Official to register your complaint

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1. Who needs a Business License?

Anyone who owns a business located in the Town of Port Royal or anyone performing a service within the Town boundaries including owners of Short Term Rentals (STR).

2. How often must a Business License be renewed?

Port Royal Business Licenses must be renewed each year by April 30th. 

3. How much does a new business license cost?

It depends on the rate and NAICS classification.  To determine your rate and NAICS classification, contact Town of Port Royal Business License Administrator.  

4. Do I need a Business License if I have a Short Term Rental in Port Royal?

Yes.  Any apartment, single family home, condo or townhouse used as a Short Term Rental must have a valid Port Royal Business License and pay Accommodation Taxes each month at Town Hall.

5. Do I need a Business License if my business is not located in Port Royal but I do business in Port Royal? Examples- painting contractor, power washing service.

Yes.  Any non-resident business (not physically located in Port Royal) must have a current, valid business license if they are performing a service on property or for another business in Port Royal.  

 For example a contractor or subcontractor renovating a home in the Town of Port Royal must have a current valid business license with the Town of Port Royal.  

6. What does a new business license cost?

It depends on the rate and classification.

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1. Where is the Municipal Court?

Town Hall 700 Paris Avenue, Port Royal, SC

2. When is the Municipal Court in Session?

Sessions are held every other week on Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 PM.

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1. How do I obtain a copy of a police/traffic accident report?

Police Report Retrieval 

Anyone can get a copy of a police report by coming into the police department Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays) the police department is located at 1748 Paris Ave. Port Royal, SC 29935.  The charge for a police report is $5.00 per copy; victims are not charged.  Fees must be paid at the town hall prior to the report being released.

Please allow time for your report to be processed for release.  Reports are submitted by patrol officers daily per standard operating procedures.  Once submitted, reports must be reviewed and approved by supervisors, it may take 3 to 5 days for your report to be ready for release.  Accident reports may take longer as these reports are submitted to the State of South Carolina Office of Highway Safety.  Accidents reports may also be obtained online at buycrash.com.

How do I get a copy of a report?

1. In person at 1748 Paris Ave. Port Royal, SC 29935
2. By mail.  Send a self addressed stamped envelope with your request to P.O. Box 576 Port Royal, SC 29935
3. Online at the Request a copy of your report page

Tips to assist you in obtaining your report:

• Have your case report number that was given to you by the reporting officer
• If you do not know your case number you will need to provide an incident location, date and time and/or your identification if you were named in the report.

SC Freedom of Information Act Requests:

If you are not a party involved and named in a report you will need to submit a SC Freedom of Information Act request form.  Please allow up to 30 days to process your request.  

2. How do I pay a traffic ticket?

You can pay online at Port Royal Police Department Pay Ticket or you can mail your fine amount to the following address:

Town of Port Royal
Attn: Clerk of Court
P.O. Drawer 9
Port Royal, SC 29935

You can also pay in person at the Port Royal Town Hall:
700 Paris Avenue
Port Royal, SC 29935

Hours
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More Information

Call Clerk of Court Traci Haddock at 843-986-2229 for additional information.

3. Where do I go for Court?

Port Royal Municipal Court is held in the Yvonne Butler Council Chambers located inside the Town Hall:
700 Paris Avenue
Port Royal, SC 29935

Court Appointment

The time and date of your court appointment should be written on the charging document or ticket.

4. How do I file a police report?

If it is an Emergency Dial 911 and officers will be immediately dispatched to your location. If you would like to submit an online police report you may visit our Citizen's Online Police Reporting System to find out if online reporting is right for you, Submit a report  You may also call Beaufort County Dispatch at 843-524-2777 and they will dispatch an officer to you or you can stop by the Port Royal Police Department weekdays between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

5. Can I get finger printed?

We provide fingerprinting services at the Port Royal Police Department on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 AM to 5 PM. You must have photo identification and there is a $5 charge if you do not have your own finger print cards.

6. Do you provide background checks?

We provide local jurisdictional background checks only. You must have photo identification and there is a $5 charge. For a more complete back ground check visit the South Carolina Law Enforcement Divisions South Carolina Law Enforcement Divisions (S.L.E.D.) website.

7. Do you have a Citizen Ride Along or Volunteer program?

To participate in our Citizen Ride Along program you must fill out a Ride Along Request form and bring it by the Police Department weekdays between 9 AM - 5 PM for completion. Following a clear back ground check you will be scheduled for a ride along with one of our Patrol Officers. If you are interested in volunteering your time to help our Police Department you can stop by on weekdays between 9 AM to 5 PM or call 843-986-2220 for more information.

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1. What are Bulk Items eligible for pickup by Port Royal Public Works / Operations?

Bulk items includes Appliances (white goods), Furniture, Mattresses, etc.  Bulk Items are NOT Hazardous materials, wet paint in paint cans or buckets. Please call 843-986-2215 to schedule your pick up.

2. Where can I take Hazardous Materials and Paint Cans?

Beaufort County Convenience Centers will take Hazardous Materials and Paint Cans with wet paint and other items as well.  

Call Beaufort County 843-255-2736 to check days of the week each site is open and hours of operation. 

Convenience Centers are located:

• Big Estate, 63 Big Estate Road
• Coffin Point, 10 Cee Cee Road
• Cuffy, 152 Cuffy Road
• Sheldon, 208 Johnson Road 
• Bluffton, 104 Simmonsville Road
• Hilton Head, 26 Summit Drive
• Lobeco, 6 Keans Neck Road
• Shanklin, 80 Shanklin Road
• St. Helena, 639 Sea Island Parkway