South Carolina building code

Codes in force in South Carolina

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Applies to

All municipalities and counties enforce the state-adopted codes³

Local amendments allowed?

Only variations approved by the Building Codes Council for local physical or climatological conditions³

Amendments

S.C. Code Regs. 8-800 et seq.²

Transition period

Work on permits approved before a new code's implementation date is completed and inspected under the code in effect when the permit was issued²

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 International Building Code with South Carolina modifications (final regulation published May 22, 2026; local implementation date not stated)⁴

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Applies to

All municipalities and counties enforce the state-adopted codes³

Local amendments allowed?

Only variations approved by the Building Codes Council for local physical or climatological conditions³

Amendments

S.C. Code Regs. 8-1200 et seq.²

Transition period

Work on permits approved before a new code's implementation date is completed and inspected under the code in effect when the permit was issued²

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications (final regulation published May 22, 2026; local implementation date not stated)⁴

International Fire Code (IFC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Applies to

All municipalities and counties enforce the state-adopted codes³

Local amendments allowed?

Only variations approved by the Building Codes Council for local physical or climatological conditions³

Amendments

S.C. Code Regs. 8-900 et seq.²

Transition period

Work on permits approved before a new code's implementation date is completed and inspected under the code in effect when the permit was issued²

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 International Fire Code with South Carolina modifications (final regulation published May 22, 2026; local implementation date not stated)⁴

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Applies to

All municipalities and counties enforce the state-adopted codes³

Local amendments allowed?

Only variations approved by the Building Codes Council for local physical or climatological conditions³

Amendments

S.C. Code Regs. 8-1400 et seq.²

Transition period

Work on permits approved before a new code's implementation date is completed and inspected under the code in effect when the permit was issued²

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 International Plumbing Code with South Carolina modifications (final regulation published May 22, 2026; local implementation date not stated)⁴

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Applies to

All municipalities and counties enforce the state-adopted codes³

Local amendments allowed?

Only variations approved by the Building Codes Council for local physical or climatological conditions³

Amendments

S.C. Code Regs. 8-1300 et seq.²

Transition period

Work on permits approved before a new code's implementation date is completed and inspected under the code in effect when the permit was issued²

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 International Mechanical Code with South Carolina modifications (final regulation published May 22, 2026; local implementation date not stated)⁴

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Applies to

All municipalities and counties enforce the state-adopted codes³

Local amendments allowed?

Only variations approved by the Building Codes Council for local physical or climatological conditions³

Amendments

S.C. Code Regs. 8-1000 et seq.²

Transition period

Work on permits approved before a new code's implementation date is completed and inspected under the code in effect when the permit was issued²

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 International Fuel Gas Code with South Carolina modifications (final regulation published May 22, 2026; local implementation date not stated)⁴

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere²

Applies to

All municipalities and counties enforce the state-adopted codes³

Local amendments allowed?

Only variations approved by the Building Codes Council for local physical or climatological conditions³

Amendments

S.C. Code Regs. 8-1100 et seq.²

Transition period

Work on permits approved before a new code's implementation date is completed and inspected under the code in effect when the permit was issued²

Next edition (not yet in force)

2023 National Electrical Code with South Carolina modifications (final regulation published May 22, 2026; local implementation date not stated)⁴

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere³

Applies to

New and renovated buildings and additions statewide; enforced by local building officials³

Local amendments allowed?

Variance only on appeal to the Building Codes Council for special local conditions³

Amendments

S.C. Code § 6-10-35 (wood-burning fireplaces)³

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere³

Applies to

New and renovated buildings and additions statewide; enforced by local building officials³

Local amendments allowed?

Variance only on appeal to the Building Codes Council for special local conditions³

Amendments

S.C. Code § 6-10-35 (wood-burning fireplaces)³

How South Carolina adopts building codes

S.C. Code §§ 6-9-10, 6-9-40, 6-9-50, 6-9-55, 6-9-60, 6-9-105; S.C. Code Regs. 8-236, 8-240

• Building Codes Council adopts ICC codes and the NEC statewide. The council shall adopt by reference and amend only the latest editions of the following nationally recognized codes and the standards referenced in those codes for regulation of construction within this State: building, residential, gas, plumbing, mechanical, fire, and energy codes as promulgated, published, or made available by the International Code Council, Inc. and the National Electrical Code as published by the National Fire Protection Association.³
• Codes must be updated at least every four years. At least every four (4) years, the Council must adopt the latest edition of the nationally recognized codes as identified in S.C. Code Ann. § 6–9–50(A) with any modifications approved by the Council in accordance with statute and these regulations.²
• Effective on January 1 or July 1 as set by the Council. The council shall determine whether the amended or modified code becomes effective on the first day of January or July.³
• 180-day public comment period required. …a period of not less than one hundred eighty days during which comments may be received…³
• One- and two-family dwelling code changes must be promulgated as regulations (legislative review). The council shall promulgate as regulations, in accordance with the procedure and requirements contained in Article 1, Chapter 23, Title 1, any provision of or amendment to any building code that would affect construction requirements for one-family or two-family dwellings.³
• 2012 IRC Section 501.3 must not be enforced. (C) Notwithstanding subsection (A), Section 501.3 of the 2012 International Residential Code must not be enforced.³
• Residential fire sprinklers not required in one- and two-family dwellings (2021 SC IRC). R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required to be installed in one- and two-family dwellings.²
• Local jurisdictions may not write their own codes. (C) Local jurisdictions are prohibited from writing or publishing any other building codes in part or in whole.²
• Local option codes: property maintenance, performance, existing building, swimming pool. Municipalities and counties may adopt by reference only the latest editions of the following nationally recognized codes and the standards referenced in those codes for regulation of construction within their respective jurisdictions: property maintenance, performance codes for buildings and facilities, existing building, and swimming pool codes as promulgated, published, or made available by the International Code Council, Inc.³
• Council does not adopt the administration-chapter provisions on building officials; absent Council adoption of general administrative provisions, local jurisdictions may adopt administration chapters or set procedures by ordinance. In the absence of Council adoption, local jurisdictions may adopt any or all sections of the administration chapters for all building codes, or may establish administrative procedures for the operation of the local enforcement agency by ordinance.²
• 2024 codes (2023 NEC) noticed for adoption. Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 6-9-40 of the 1976 Code of Laws of South Carolina, as amended, the South Carolina Building Codes Council intends to modify and adopt the following building codes for use in the State of South Carolina…⁴
• 2024 IRC regulation (Doc. 5417) final, effective date 05/22/2026 unless otherwise provided. Effective Date unless otherwise provided for in the Regulation…⁵

Applies to

All municipalities and counties³

Can local rules be stricter?

No³

What local governments may change

S.C. Code §§ 6-9-10(A), 6-9-105; S.C. Code Regs. 8-236(C)

• Locals enforce only the state-listed national codes. The municipality or county shall enforce only the national building and safety codes provided in this chapter.³
• Locals may not write or publish other building codes. (C) Local jurisdictions are prohibited from writing or publishing any other building codes in part or in whole.²
• Council-approved local variations only for physical/climatological conditions. (B) The council may issue an approval after a finding on the record that the variation or modification provides a reasonable standard of public health, safety, and welfare.³
• Chapter is cumulative to other local ordinances. The provisions of this chapter are cumulative to other local ordinances and do not limit the authority of counties or municipalities.³

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see South Carolina building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.