York County, SC Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2020 National Electrical Code (SC-modified)
- Permit required from
- York County Building and Codes Division
- Utility hookup rule
- No new connection without a permit
- Permit expiration
- 180 days if work not started/inspected
- First-violation fine
- Up to $200 civil fine
- Escalated fine
- Up to $2,000 if uncorrected after 7 days
Summary
York County adopts the 2020 National Electrical Code, as modified by the South Carolina Codes Council, for all electrical work in the unincorporated county under § 150.05. Section 150.06 backs that up by making it unlawful for any utility or electric cooperative to energize a new connection to a building or manufactured home until the Building and Codes Division has issued the required permit.
§ 150.05 ELECTRICAL CODE. Except as herein amended, the installation, workmanship, construction, maintenance or repair of all electrical work shall conform to the National Electrical Code, 2020 Edition, with modifications, no appendices, as modified by the South Carolina Codes Council, which is hereby adopted by reference and made an integral part of this chapter.
§ 150.06 ELECTRICITY NOT TO BE FURNISHED WITHOUT PERMIT. It shall be unlawful for any public utility company or rural electric cooperative to make a new connection of electrical energy to a building, manufactured home or structure requiring a permit unless the structure shall have acquired the necessary building or manufactured home permit from the Building Official.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-49: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 3925, passed 6-16-25).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 150 of the York County Code, adopted by Ord. 822 on February 7, 2022 and amended by Ord. 5522 on December 5, 2022, governs construction in the unincorporated county through the county's Building and Codes Division, part of the Planning and Development Services Department. 05 adopts the 2020 Edition of the National Electrical Code, with the modifications and no appendices set by the South Carolina Codes Council, as the standard for installing, constructing, maintaining or repairing all electrical work countywide. 22. 06 gives that permit real teeth: no public utility company or rural electric cooperative may legally make a new electrical connection to a building, manufactured home or other structure until the structure has obtained the necessary building or manufactured home permit, effectively blocking power hookup for unpermitted electrical work. 26(E).
Violations & Fines
Doing electrical work without the required permit, or a utility connecting power to an unpermitted structure in violation of § 150.06, is punishable under § 150.99 with a civil fine of up to $200 for a first violation. If the violation is not corrected or a correction plan is not submitted within seven calendar days after a second finding, the fine rises to as much as $2,000, and each day the violation continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for electrical work in unincorporated York County?
Can my power company turn on electricity before I get a permit?
How long is an electrical permit valid once issued?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in York County
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