Governor Approves H.3774, Provides Relief to Home Builders

On July 20, Governor Nikki Haley signed into law H.3774, referred to as the “Permit Extension Bill.” Due to the recent economic downturn, many builders are experiencing financial restrictions that make it difficult to complete projects as originally scheduled. Recognizing that many public and private sector projects could be abandoned due to challenging permit renewal processes, the HBASC pushed for passage of H.3774 to provide relief to builders across South Carolina.

H.3774, modeled after a similar bill from the 2010 session, extends the expiration date of certain permits to prevent the abandonment of projects which have already received appropriate approval. These permits would include erosion and sedimentation control plans, land disturbance permits, stormwater management plans, water or wastewater permits, NPDES permits, water quality certification, air quality permits, OCRM permits, and City/County approval of sketch plans, preliminary plats, subdivision plats, site specific development plan, and a building permit. Any of these permits which are current and valid as of December 31, 2012 would continue to be valid until December 31, 2016.

The HBASC would like to give a special thanks to Representative Dwight Loftis for sponsoring this legislation. A full version of the legislation can be found on the Statehouse website (link for website: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess120_2013-2014/bills/3774.htm).