Free Technical Information for Building Inspectors, Contractors and Consumers. Code and Manufacturer's Information Resource
SC Building Dept. Page
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FOR A
QUICK REFERENCE FOR BUILDING INSPECTORS, CONTRACTORS and CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS in
For a quick reference to the SC Residential Construction Standards see the link to your right.
For information relevant to a South Carolina Department of Building Safety go to the link to your right titled “Administrative Training”.
CURRENT NEWS:
Budget Proviso 182 has been approved. The Proviso requires the 2003 IRC, all 2003 IRC state modifications and the corresponding wind/seismic maps to remain in place until July 1, 2009. Local jurisdictions cannot apply for local modifications to use the 2006 IRC.
The
On February 27, 2008, the Building Codes Council adopted an emergency modification requiring the use of the residential elevator provisions contained in the 2006 International Residential Code. At that time, the Council intended for those provisions to be used until the 2006 IRC was implemented. The modification (E 2006-01) and a notice were sent from my office to all building inspection departments and interested parties. Those documents were prepared with the anticipation that the 2006 IRC would be implemented on July 1, 2008 and referred to that date. With the implementation of the 2003 International Residential Code delayed until July 1, 2009, however, the modification and notice required updating to remain accurate. Both updated documents are attached.
All construction projects, for which a completed building permit application is filed with the Building Inspection Department by the close of business on the last business day before the implementation date, may be constructed under the applicable 2003 International Codes.
Quick access to S.C. Modifications to the 2006 International Code Series
via the SC-LLR site:
Some of the following files are in portable document format (PDF) and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print.. If you do not have a copy of the FREE Acrobat Reader, visit http://www.adobe.com.
2006 International Building Code
2006 International Residential Code
2006 International Fuel Gas Code
2006 Local Amendments
Or see : http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/BCC/ProposedCodeModification06.htm
The modifications as stated herein, have been made by the Building Codes Council to the codes listed and must be included in the building codes for all local jurisdictions.
Some of the following files are in portable document format (PDF) and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print.. If you do not have a copy of the FREE Acrobat Reader, visit http://www.adobe.com.
2006 International Building Code
2006 International Residential Code
2006 International Fuel Gas Code
2003 International Building Code
2003 International Residential Code
2003 International Fuel Gas Code
2000 International Building Code
2000 International Residential Code
2000 International Plumbing Code
The following modifications have been authorized by the Building Codes Council for application, only in the stated jurisdiction and may be placed in effect after adoption by local ordinance.
The SC Energy Standards replace the energy sections of the
ICC Code in
SECTION 6-10-30. Building energy efficiency standard adopted; effect on state and local regulations.
(a) The current edition of Appendix J (Code for Energy Conservation in new building construction) to the Standard Building Code of the Southern Building Code Congress International, Incorporated, is hereby adopted as the South Carolina Building Energy Efficiency Standard unless otherwise provided for in this chapter. All new and renovated buildings and additions constructed one hundred and twenty days after the effective date of this chapter within the State shall comply with this standard.
(b) Until one hundred and twenty days after adoption of the South Carolina Building Energy Efficiency Standard, energy related building regulations adopted by a local government shall continue in effect unless repealed. Thereafter, such regulations adopted by a local government shall be void and of no effect unless they are no less stringent than the South Carolina Building Energy Efficiency Standard. A building permit validly issued pursuant to local building regulations within one hundred and twenty days after adoption of the South Carolina Building Energy Efficiency Standard is valid thereafter and the construction of a building may be completed pursuant to and in accordance with the permit. In areas of the State having no building regulations or not requiring building permits, the construction of a building started before adoption of the South Carolina Building Energy Efficiency Standard may be completed without a building permit.
(c) Until one hundred and twenty days after adoption of the South Carolina Building Energy Efficiency Standard, energy related building regulations for new and renovated buildings promulgated by any state board, department, commission or agency shall continue in effect unless repealed. Thereafter, such regulations shall be void and of no effect unless they are no less stringent than the South Carolina Building Energy Efficiency Standard.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), in one and two family dwellings double pane or storm windows must be used for window glass and in the case of ceilings, exterior walls, floors with crawl space, and heating and air conditioning duct work, the determination of the minimum thermal resistance ratings (R-value) must be:
(1) R-30 for ceilings, except for ceiling/roof combinations, which must be R-19;
(2) R-13 for exterior walls;
(3) R-19 for floors with crawl space;
(4) R-6, or the installed equivalent, for heating and air conditioning duct-work not located in conditioned space
Nothing in this subsection may be construed to inhibit utilization of higher minimum thermal ratings.
To facilitate the affordability of purchases of housing, minimum thermal resistance ratings of R-19 for ceilings and R-11 for floors may be used provided the builder discloses the insulation levels to the buyer. The disclosure must be on a form available from the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission and a copy must be submitted to the commission which must keep it for thirteen years.
The 1998 ICC/ANSI A117.1, Accessible and
The Building Energy Efficiency Standards Act is adopted by statute and mandatory for use in all jurisdictions within the state.
The codes are to be used in conjunction with the latest code modifications authorized by the Council. Only the modifications authorized and listed on this website are valid for use in the state. Building code modifications that have not received prior approval by the Council are invalid and cannot be adopted, employed or enforced by local jurisdictions.
Proposed Seismic E Zone
The 2006 International Residential Code includes a new Seismic “E” Zone within the state of
The South Carolina Building Codes Council will consider the acceptance of the Seismic “E” Zone as drawn on the approved maps, at its meeting on May 28, 2008.
Some of the following files are in portable document format (PDF) and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print.. If you do not have a copy of the FREE Acrobat Reader, visit http://www.adobe.com.
Berkeley County
Charleston County
Dorchester County
Williamsburg County
Emergency Modifications
The following links to documents, information and programs of interest or associated with the overall application of building codes, are provided as a service to the visitors to this site.
For information concerning the International Building Code Series or the International Code Council .
For information concerning the Office of the State Engineer and it’s related services and programs.
For information concerning the Office of the State Fire Marshal and it’s related services and programs.
For information concerning the Office of School Facilities and it’s related services and programs.
For information concerning the Office of Elevators and Amusement Rides and it’s related services and programs.
For information concerning the State Energy Office and it’s related services and programs.
View or print the State Energy Standards.
View or print the State Statute concerning the licensing and regulation of Home Builders.
V iew or print the State Statute concerning the licensing and regulation of private Home Inspectors (Article 3 starting at Section 40-59-200).
View or print the State Statute concerning the licensing and regulation of Commercial Contractors.
View or print the State Statute concerning the provisions for private Commercial Building Inspectors.
View or print the State Statute concerning the licensing and regulation of Architects.
View or print the State Statute concerning the licensing and regulation of Engineers.
V iew or print the State Statute concerning Dwellings Unfit for Human Habitation (for cities see Article 1 and for counties see Article 2 starting at Section 31-15-310).
View or print the State Statute of Limitations for construction professionals (starting at Section 15-3-630).
View or print the state statute concerning adoption of building codes for State Agencies.
View or print information concerning the Building Official’s Association of
Building Accessibility Program Related Links
View or print the Americans With Disabilities Act.
View or print the ADA Standards for Accessible Design as published in the Title III regulations (28 CFR Part 36, revised July 1, 1994) and issued by the Department of Justice.
Obtain copies of the Accessible and
For information concerning the US Access Board (also known as the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board) and its related activities.
For information concerning the South Carolina Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities and it’s related services and programs.
For information concerning the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission and it’s related services and programs.
View or print the South Carolina Fair Housing Laws.
View or print the Federal Fair Housing Laws.
View or print
A comprehensive Federal Accessibility Web site of disability-related government resources and information relevant to people with disabilities, their families, employers and service providers.
For information from the National Council on Disability concerning policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
For information concerning the Southeast Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center and it’s related services and programs.
For information concerning Employment Opportunities with the Federal Government for people with disabilities.
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THE RIGHT TO CURE LAW:
The “South Carolina Notice and
Section 40-59-810 of the law states an action brought against a contractor or subcontractor arising out of the construction of a dwelling, the claimant must, no later than ninety days before filing the action, serve a written notice of claim on the contractor.
The notice must contain the following: a construction defect.
1. Statement that the claimant asserts a construction defect;
2. A description of the claim in reasonable detail sufficient to determine the general nature of the construction defect.
3. A description of any results of defect if known.
Section 40-59-850 states that:
(A) The contractor or subcontractor has thirty days from service of the notice to inspect, offer to remedy, offer to settle with the claimant, or deny the claim regarding the defects. The claimant shall receive written notice of the contractor’s or subcontractor’s, as applicable, election under this section. The claimant shall allow inspection of the construction defect at an agreeable time to both parties, if requested under this section. The claimant shall give the contractor and any subcontractors reasonable access to the dwelling for inspection and if repairs have been agreed to by the parties, reasonable access to affect repairs. Failure to respond within thirty days is deemed a denial of the claim.
(B) The claimant shall serve a response to the contractor’s offer, if any, within ten days of receipt of the offer.
(C) If the parties cannot settle the dispute pursuant to this article, the claimant may proceed with a civil action or other remedy provided by contract or by law.
(D) Any offers of settlement, repair, or remedy pursuant to this section, are not admissible in an action.
Before filing a complaint with this office, it is advisable to comply with these new provisions of state law.
