Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 6 of 7 areas verified on primary sources. OSHA state plan: South Carolina OSHA (SC OSHA), SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Division of Labor.
| 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. SourceVerified 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-based) adopted Aug 26, 2025; statewide implementation 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. SourceVerified on the source | SC Building Codes Council (LLR) adopts; counties and municipalities enforce (S.C. Code Title 6, Ch. 9) | In force2024 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC + 2023 NEC adopted Aug 26, 2025 with SC modifications; statewide implementation Jan 1, 2027 |
| Elevators | S.C. Code Regs. Ch. 71, Art. 5 (Elevator Safety Code) - rolling ASME A17.1 reference for new units; existing units held to a 1986+ ANSI A17.3 floorLLR issues annual Certificates of Operation. New-installation rule ties compliance to whichever ASME A17.1 edition is officially adopted when the permit issues; existing units must meet at least the 1986 ANSI A17.3 baseline (later editions accepted). SourceReported, in verification | SC LLR Office of Elevators and Amusement Rides | In forceIn force; no pending A17.1/A17.3 edition change found this run |
| Boilers | S.C. Code Regs. Ch. 71, Art. 9 (Boiler Safety Program), under Title 41, Ch. 14LLR Boiler Safety Program under Title 41 Ch. 14 and Regs. Ch. 71 Art. 9. Power/high-pressure boilers inspected annually (internal); low-pressure heating/hot-water boilers biennially. No operation permitted without a current certificate. SourceVerified 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 (Public Swimming Pools), last amended June 27, 2014; construction permits run 1 year (extendable). Administering agency moved from DHEC to SC Dept. of Environmental Services after the July 2024 DHEC reorganization. SourceVerified on the source | SC Dept. of Environmental Services (DES), Bureau of Water; formerly DHEC prior to the July 2024 split | In forceIn force since 2014 text; no pending amendment found |
| 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. SourceVerified 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; a pending bill (not yet law) would add hotel balcony-inspection duties - see notes |
| Workplace | SC OSHA State Plan (SC LLR, Division of Labor)SC OSHA (LLR Division of Labor) is an OSHA-approved State Plan covering private-sector and state/local government workplaces, with standard federal exceptions (maritime, USPS contractors, military bases, some agriculture). SourceVerified on the source | SC LLR, Division of Labor (SC OSHA) | In force |
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 LLR Office of Elevators and Amusement Rides (S.C. Code Regs. Ch. 71, Art. 5 (Elevator Safety Code) - rolling ASME A17.1 reference for new units; existing units held to a 1986+ ANSI A17.3 floor). Boilers: SC LLR Boiler Safety Program; state and commissioned special (insurance-company) inspectors (S.C. Code Regs. Ch. 71, Art. 9 (Boiler Safety Program), under Title 41, Ch. 14).
South Carolina runs an OSHA-approved state plan: South Carolina OSHA (SC OSHA), SC Dept. of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Division of Labor. The state agency enforces workplace safety rules for most private employers.
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.
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