Lancaster County, SC Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Lancaster County Code Section 7-1 adopts the National Electrical Code, 2020 Edition, with South Carolina amendments, as the electrical installation standard enforced in unincorporated Lancaster County; amendments take effect on the date the state specifies. Section 7-25(a)(4) sets the permit trigger: an electrical permit is required on all commercial and industrial projects, though a building permit covers the electrical work on those projects when multiple trades are doing the work under one job. On residential or commercial projects where no building permit is issued, for example a standalone service upgrade or panel change, a separate electrical permit is required.

Section 7-24(c) ties the permit process to the utility supplying power: the applicant must identify the public utility, electric cooperative or agency that will serve the project, and the building official supplies that entity a copy of the permit at the time of electrical inspection approval. Section 7-23(e) backs this up on the utility side: it is unlawful for any public utility, rural electric cooperative or other agency furnishing electric current to connect power, including a temporary construction connection, to a building, structure or manufactured home before the required permit issues, or to keep power connected once the building official gives notice that the connection violates the chapter.

Fees are set in the annual county budget ordinance, and Section 7-25(a)(3) doubles the fee for any work commenced before the permit or approval to proceed is obtained.