Kershaw County, SC Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Kershaw County Code § 6-25 adopts the current editions of the International Residential Code, International Building Code, International Plumbing, Mechanical, Gas, Energy and Fire Codes, and the National Electrical Code by reference for every building, structure and premise in the unincorporated county, deleting only IRC § R105.3.1 and IBC §§ 101.4.1 and 101.4.5. Section 6-54 requires the owner or responsible contractor to obtain a single permit form covering every trade needed to finish the project, and that person is responsible for confirming each subcontractor's qualifications.

Section 6-55 blocks the county from issuing electrical, HVAC, gas or plumbing permits unless the contractor produces a current qualification card from the state municipal association or holds a state license; the county also accepts a license issued by any other South Carolina municipality or county. A contractor who has worked the trade locally for at least 36 months but cannot pass the licensing exam may ask the five-member Building Codes Board of Adjustments and Appeals for a special certificate under § 6-56, based on a documented job history.

That board, appointed by county council, also hears appeals from the building official/inspector's decisions, with the planning and zoning director reviewing first and the board mailing its written decision within 30 days (§§ 6-90, 6-91). Permit fee schedules are set by county council from time to time under § 6-138, and new single-family homes must meet the foundation-wall or underskirting standard of § 6-160 upon completion.