Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 8 of 8 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. OSHA state plan: South Carolina OSHA (SC OSHA), SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 2021 South Carolina Fire Code (2021 IFC-based, with SC amendments); effective Jan 1, 2023Statewide fire code for existing and new buildings, based on the 2021 IFC with SC modifications; in force since Jan 1, 2023. NFPA 101 has historically been adopted edition-for-edition alongside it. 2024 SC Fire Code adopted, not yet effective. SourceChecked on the source | State Fire Marshal (LLR) has statewide jurisdiction (S.C. Code 23-9-20); enforcement shared with local fire chiefs/county fire marshals as ex officio resident fire marshals (23-9-30) | In force2024 SC Fire Code (2024 IFC with modifications) adopted by the Building Codes Council Aug 26, 2025; local implementation date Jan 1, 2027 |
| Building | 2021 South Carolina Building Code (2021 IBC-based, with SC amendments); effective Jan 1, 2023Adopted by the Building Codes Council under Title 6 Ch. 9; in force since Jan 1, 2023 (2021 IBC-based). Companion 2021 IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC also effective. Counties/municipalities must enforce Council modifications locally. SourceChecked on the source | SC Building Codes Council (LLR) adopts; counties and municipalities enforce (S.C. Code Title 6, Ch. 9) | In force2024 IBC, IRC, IFC, IPC, IMC, IFGC and 2023 NEC adopted Aug 26, 2025 with SC modifications (modifications published in the State Register May 22, 2026); local implementation date Jan 1, 2027 (Council minutes Aug 26, 2025, restated May 19, 2026; no delay recorded) |
| Elevators | S.C. Code Regs. 71-5100 and 71-5200 (amended eff May 23, 2025): new installations must meet the ASME A17.1 edition officially adopted when the permit issues; facilities in operation before Jul 1, 1986 must meet the 1986 ANSI A17.3Annual Certificate of Operation ($150 per elevator); owner schedules annual inspection with a special inspector of choice. Contractor schedules new and alteration inspections with the state inspector. A permit is required before installation or alteration. Manlifts and chairlifts have alternative standards in the regulation. SourceChecked on the source | SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), Elevator Safety program: state inspectors and owner-hired special inspectors | In forceIn force; LLR certificate-of-operation page (re-read Oct 15, 2026) confirms $150 annual certificate, owner-scheduled annual special inspection and permit before installation; A17.1/A17.3 adoption text in 71-5100/5200 not re-read |
| Boilers | Boiler Safety Act, S.C. Code Title 41, Ch. 14; Boiler Safety Program regulations, S.C. Code Regs. Ch. 71, Art. 9100Power and HP/HT boilers: annual internal inspection (some HP/HT eligible for three-year cycle under Reg. 71-9102(B)(1)). Low-pressure steam: biennial external, internal every four years where possible. Hot water: biennial external. Reports due within 90 days; two-month grace period. SourceChecked on the source | SC LLR Boiler Safety Program; state and commissioned special (insurance-company) inspectors | In forceIn force; no pending rule change found |
| Pools | R.61-51, Public Swimming Pools (administered by SC Dept. of Environmental Services, Bureau of Water)R.61-51 J.2: no pool may operate without a valid operating permit, valid Apr 1 to Mar 31; fees due Feb 15 and delinquent after Mar 15; permit displayed near the pool rules sign. A construction permit is required before building or altering a pool. Last State Register publication Jun 27, 2014. SC DES administers it after the DHEC split. SourceChecked on the source | SC Dept. of Environmental Services (DES), Bureau of Water; formerly DHEC prior to the July 2024 split | In forceIn force; R.61-51 (DES copy re-read Oct 15, 2026) shows latest State Register publication Jun 27, 2014; next operating-permit fees due Feb 15, 2027 |
| Lodging | No dedicated statewide hotel safety/licensing code; Title 45 Ch. 2 (Lodging Establishment Act) covers guest relations onlyTitle 45 Ch. 2 (Lodging Establishment Act) covers guest registers, ID and posted-rules duties only, no safety/licensing regime. Hotels otherwise fall under the general Fire/Building codes plus local business licensing and DPH food-service permits. 2026 Act No. 252 added Sec. 45-2-65 (RV park guest removal, notice and utility disconnection), effective June 30, 2026. SourceChecked on the source | No single state lodging-safety authority; local business licensing, State Fire Marshal/local fire code officials, and DPH (food service) as applicable | In forceIn force (Title 45 Ch. 2 read on the primary page Oct 23, 2026); a pending bill (S. 116, in Senate Judiciary since Jan 14, 2025, not law) would add balcony-inspection duties that may reach hotels - see notes |
| Workplace | SC OSHA State Plan (SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation, Division of Occupational Safety and Health)SC OSHA covers private-sector and state and local government workplaces, with exclusions including maritime, military bases, USPS contractor operations and aircraft cabin crew; federal OSHA covers the exclusions. Contact the State Plan for current standards. SourceChecked on the source | SC LLR, Division of Labor (SC OSHA) | In force |
| Environmental | Federal EPA rules apply, plus SC DES state layer: annual UST registration fee and certificate (SUPERB Act); no state AST regulation (federal SPCC applies); air construction-permit exemptions in Reg. 61-62.1 and registration permits for boilers and emergency generators; asbestos renovation/demolition notice through ePermitting; sewer overflow reporting; statewide backflow program through public water systems. Grease and lift-station rules not confirmed.UST certificates expire Jul 31 each year. Air registration or general permits cover fuel combustion sources including boilers and emergency generators. Asbestos permit notices go through ePermitting, up to 10 working days ahead; demolition always 10 working days. Utilities report overflows of 500 gallons or more; 5,000+ gallon spills need 24-hour notice. SourceChecked on the source | SC Dept. of Environmental Services (DES): Bureaus of Land and Waste, Air Quality and Water; public water systems run backflow programs; local sewer utilities | Renewal Mar 1, 2027Federal dates apply: next Tier II filing March 1, 2027; UST invoices mailed late May, certificates expire Jul 31 each year; confirm site-specific questions with SC DES |
2021 South Carolina Fire Code (2021 IFC-based, with SC amendments); effective Jan 1, 2023. Statewide fire code for existing and new buildings, based on the 2021 IFC with SC modifications; in force since Jan 1, 2023. NFPA 101 has historically been adopted edition-for-edition alongside it. 2024 SC Fire Code adopted, not yet effective. Enforced by: State Fire Marshal (LLR) has statewide jurisdiction (S.C. Code 23-9-20); enforcement shared with local fire chiefs/county fire marshals as ex officio resident fire marshals (23-9-30).
2021 South Carolina Building Code (2021 IBC-based, with SC amendments); effective Jan 1, 2023. Adopted by the Building Codes Council under Title 6 Ch. 9; in force since Jan 1, 2023 (2021 IBC-based). Companion 2021 IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC also effective. Counties/municipalities must enforce Council modifications locally. Enforced by: SC Building Codes Council (LLR) adopts; counties and municipalities enforce (S.C. Code Title 6, Ch. 9).
Elevators: SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR), Elevator Safety program: state inspectors and owner-hired special inspectors (S.C. Code Regs. 71-5100 and 71-5200 (amended eff May 23, 2025): new installations must meet the ASME A17.1 edition officially adopted when the permit issues; facilities in operation before Jul 1, 1986 must meet the 1986 ANSI A17.3). Boilers: SC LLR Boiler Safety Program; state and commissioned special (insurance-company) inspectors (Boiler Safety Act, S.C. Code Title 41, Ch. 14; Boiler Safety Program regulations, S.C. Code Regs. Ch. 71, Art. 9100).
South Carolina runs an OSHA-approved state plan: South Carolina OSHA (SC OSHA), SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Division of Occupational Safety and Health. The state agency enforces workplace safety rules for most private employers.
Environmental: Renewal Mar 1, 2027 (Federal dates apply: next Tier II filing March 1, 2027; UST invoices mailed late May, certificates expire Jul 31 each year; confirm site-specific questions with); Jan 1, 2027: Statewide implementation date for the 2024 IBC, IRC, IFC, IPC, IMC, IFGC and 2023 NEC (with SC modifications), replacing the 2021-cycle codes; Jan 1, 2027: Automatic leak detection on existing 1,500 lb+ HFC commercial refrigeration.
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