York County, SC Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 2021 International Plumbing Code (SC-modified)
- Permit issued by
- York County Building and Codes Division
- Zoning check
- Required under §150.23 before issuance
- Commercial plan review fee
- 50% of the building permit fee
- Refund window
- 6 months if work hasn't started
- First-violation fine
- Up to $200 civil fine
Summary
York County requires a permit before any plumbing installation, alteration or repair in the unincorporated county and holds that work to the 2021 International Plumbing Code as modified by the South Carolina Codes Council. Section 150.20 requires the owner or an authorized agent to apply to the Building and Codes Division and obtain the permit before work begins, and § 150.23 requires zoning sign-off first.
§ 150.08 PLUMBING CODE. Except as herein amended, the installation, workmanship, construction, maintenance or repair of all plumbing work shall be administered as provided in Chapter 1 of the 2021 Edition of the International Plumbing Code, as modified by the South Carolina Codes Council, which chapter is hereby adopted by reference and made an integral part of this chapter.
§ 150.20 PERMITS REQUIRED. Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace and electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such work to be performed, shall first make application to the building and codes division and obtain the required permit.
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
08 of the York County Code adopts Chapter 1 of the 2021 Edition of the International Plumbing Code, as modified by the South Carolina Codes Council, as the standard governing installation, workmanship, construction, maintenance and repair of all plumbing work in the unincorporated county. 22. 23 adds a zoning check: if the plumbing work is tied to construction that must also comply with the York County Zoning and Land Development codes in Chapters 154 and 155, the zoning division reviews the application before the plumbing permit can issue.
25(D). If work has not started, an owner can request a refund in writing within six months of issuance using a county Refund Request form, though the county deducts administrative fees and the permit becomes void once refunded.
Violations & Fines
Performing plumbing work without the required § 150.20 permit, or in violation of the adopted 2021 International Plumbing Code, is punishable under § 150.99 by a civil fine of up to $200 for a first violation. A second violation not corrected, or without a correction plan submitted within seven calendar days, draws a civil fine of up to $2,000, with each additional day of the violation counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace plumbing in unincorporated York County?
What is checked before a plumbing permit is issued?
Can I get a refund if I never start the plumbing work?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in York County
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