Beaufort County, SC Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)
Key Facts
- Department created by
- § 74-67
- First reinspection
- Free
- Extra reinspection fee
- $25.00
- Appeals board meeting deadline
- Within 30 days of notice
- Permit refund window
- Void after 6 months unstarted
Summary
Beaufort County's building official rechecks failed work for free once, under Code of Ordinances § 74-97(f), but charges $25.00 for each additional reinspection caused by a wrong address, condemned or faulty work, uncorrected repairs, or work that was not ready when the inspector arrived. The department of building inspections created by § 74-67 administers the technical codes for the unincorporated county.
If the building official or his duly authorized representative shall, upon his inspection after the completion of the work or apparatus, find the work or apparatus does not conform to or comply with the applicable provisions of this Code, he shall notify the contractor, indicating the corrections to be made, and then he shall again inspect the work or apparatus without further charge. However, when extra inspections are due to any of the following reasons, a charge of $25.00 shall be made for each reinspection:(1)Wrong address.(2)Condemned work, resulting from faulty work.(3)Repairs or corrections not made when inspections are called.(4)Work not ready for inspection when called.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 55 Update 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 16).
Full Breakdown
Section 74-67 creates the department of building inspections and makes its building official responsible for administering and enforcing the technical codes chapter, serving as secretary of the construction board of adjustments and appeals, and reporting as a county department head through the county administrator. 00 each, and every reinspection fee must be paid before any further inspection proceeds. Appeals from the building official go to the construction board of adjustments and appeals, which under § 74-32(a) must meet within 30 calendar days after receiving notice of appeal, and § 74-32(b) requires the board to reach a written decision without unreasonable delay, filed publicly and mailed to the appellant, with every decision final subject to court remedies.
Violations & Fines
Fees are mandatory before any inspection work proceeds: § 74-96(b) bars issuing or amending a permit until fees are paid, doubling the fee if work starts before the permit issues, and § 74-97(f) bars further inspection until outstanding reinspection fees are paid. Underlying noncompliance with the adopted codes remains a misdemeanor under § 74-63, fined up to $100.00 or up to 30 days in jail, each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the first building reinspection free in Beaufort County?
Who runs building inspections in unincorporated Beaufort County?
How long does the appeals board take to hear a building permit appeal?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beaufort County
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