Georgetown County, SC Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)

Sec. 7-1(1)(b) enacts the International Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition, with South Carolina modifications, as county ordinance, one of twelve model codes listed in Sec. 7-1(1) that the county reviews annually and updates roughly every three years. Sec. 7-10(a) requires a building permit whenever the work involves any referenced code, expressly naming plumbing work among the categories, alongside construction, remodeling, electrical, mechanical and gas work, that cannot begin without first securing that permit from the building official or an authorized representative. Sec. 7-10(b) limits the home-improvement exemption narrowly: repairing plumbing fixtures is exempt, but new plumbing installation or larger plumbing work is not.

Sec. 7-9 requires plans and specifications for the work be submitted and reviewed, residential projects within ten working days, before corrections are made and a permit issued. Sec. 7-20(b)(11) adds that when construction value exceeds $10,000, or a plan is required under the applicable codes, a separate plan-checking fee equal to half the building permit fee (minimum $30 residential) applies on top of the base permit fee set out in the residential valuation schedule. Sec. 7-12 governs inspections of the completed plumbing work before it may be concealed or covered.