Charter schools are public schools and the Office of School Facilities (OSF) is the Building Official responsible for plan review, inspection of construction or renovation, and approval of occupancy of charter school property and buildings in order to ensure compliance with codes and requirements as set forth in the South Carolina School Facilities Planning and Construction Guide (Guide). The determination of the OSF as the Building Official for charter schools was established by an administrative law decision in Thornwell Charter School Planning Committee v. Laurens School District 56 Board of Trustees (2007).
The Guide details all applicable codes and sets forth procedures for planning and construction of charter school facilities. The charter school is responsible for engaging independent third party inspectors for any construction or renovation work.
All charter schools must plan facilities that meet all the requirements of the latest edition of the South Carolina School Facilities Planning and Construction Guide (Guide). The OSF cannot waive requirements of building, fire or other applicable codes and regulations.
In accordance with state statute and regulation, all schools must contract with South Carolina licensed designed professionals to provide construction documents, code, zoning and land use analysis, transportation analysis and other professional services as needed. Additionally, accessory buildings considered Assembly Occupancies by the codes such as auditoriums and gymnasiums require the services of licensed design professionals.
The charter school is responsible for all roadway improvements required by the SCDOT including, but not limited to, road widening, intersection realignment, creation of turn lanes and signaling. Traffic studies at the expense of the school may be required to determine requirement and traffic improvements may extend to intersections beyond the actual school site. The charter school is responsible for any additional property and cost required for roadway improvements the property.
Submittal Process by the Architect:
- The architect shall submit plans in accordance with the process in the Guide.
- All local ordinances and regulations including zoning ordinances must be met in addition to state regulations such as SCDHEC Food Services requirements. Approval of plans by permitting authority is required prior to final plan approval by the OSF. Consult the Guide for additional information on permitting.
- Bidding cannot begin until the charter school has received final approval on the construction documents. This approval will serve as the building permit for the project.
Construction Process:
- All projects will require inspections by independent, third party vendors in addition to the inspections performed by the OSF. Consult the Guide for this procedure.
- Occupancy of the charter school cannot occur until OSF has issued a Certificate of Occupancy. This includes teachers setting up classrooms and student orientation.
Questions and submissions to the OSF concerning charter schools should be directed to:
Darius Williams
Program Coordinator, Office of School Facilities
SC Department of Education
1429 Senate Street, Suite 800
Columbia, SC 29201
dswilliams@ed.sc.gov
Still Have Questions? Email: schoolfacilities@ed.sc.gov
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