Rock Hill, SC Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Jurisdiction
- City of Rock Hill, York County, SC
- Inspection stages
- 11 listed, § 10-133(a)-(k)
- Who must call for inspection
- permit holder or agent, § 10-135
- Flood zones
- elevation certificate before framing
- Energy check
- insulation, ducts, HVAC efficiency
- Cannot build past uninspected stage
- § 10-136
Summary
Rock Hill, South Carolina inspects permitted construction in stages set out in City Code § 10-133, from footing and foundation through framing and final energy-efficiency checks, and § 10-135 puts the burden on the permit holder to request each inspection and keep the work accessible until the building official signs off.
Sec. 10-133. - Required inspections. The building official, upon notification, shall make the inspections set forth in subsections 10-133(a) through 10-133(j). (a) Footing and foundation inspection. Footing and foundation inspections shall be made after excavations for footings are complete and any required reinforcing steel is in place... (e) Frame inspection. Framing inspections shall be made after the roof deck or sheathing, all framing, fire blocking and bracing are in place and pipes, chimneys and vents to be concealed are complete and the rough electrical, plumbing, heating wires, pipes and ducts are installed.
Full Breakdown
Section 10-133 lists eleven required inspection points for permitted work. Footing and foundation inspection (a) happens after excavation is complete and reinforcing steel is placed, with forms up for concrete foundations. Concrete slab and under-floor inspection (b) covers in-slab reinforcing and utility rough-in before concrete or subfloor goes down. In flood hazard areas (c), the elevation certificate for the lowest floor must go to the building official before vertical construction continues. Floor framing (d), frame inspection (e), exterior sheathing (f), lath and gypsum board (g), and fire-resistant penetrations (h) each lock in a construction stage before the next material covers it: framing inspection requires the roof deck, all framing, fire blocking, bracing, and rough electrical, plumbing and HVAC to be installed and still visible.
Subsection (i) adds an energy-efficiency inspection covering envelope insulation R and U values, fenestration U value, duct system R value, and HVAC and water-heating equipment efficiency, and (j) lets the building official require any other inspection needed to confirm compliance. Section 10-135 makes it the permit holder's duty to notify the building official when work is ready and to provide access for each inspection. Section 10-136 backs that up: work cannot proceed past the point covered by a given inspection until the building official approves it, and anything that fails correction must stay uncovered until reinspected and authorized.
Violations & Fines
Covering or concealing work before the required inspection is approved violates § 10-136, and the building official can require the covering material removed for reinspection, an expense neither the official nor the city bears under § 10-131. Failing to keep work accessible for inspection breaches the applicant's duty under § 10-131, and an approved inspection never excuses a violation of the code found later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to schedule Rock Hill building inspections?
Can I cover up framing before it's inspected?
What does the frame inspection check?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rock Hill
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