Spartanburg County, SC Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- Latest International Plumbing Code edition
- Governing section
- Code § 10-81
- Appeals board
- 8-member board of appeals and adjustments
- Fee schedule
- On file at county offices, not in code
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 30 days, per § 1-6
Summary
Unincorporated Spartanburg County runs plumbing work under the International Plumbing Code, adopted county-wide as one of eight technical codes in Code § 10-81. Any plumbing installation needing a permit goes through the building official's office, with the fee schedule kept on file rather than printed in the code itself.
Effective on the implementation date for local jurisdiction as established by the South Carolina Building Codes Council, the latest edition of the following codes: (1)International Building Code,(2)International Residential Code,(3)International Fuel Gas Code,(4)International Plumbing Code,(5)International Mechanical Code,(6)International Fire Code,(7)International Energy Conservation Code, and(8)National Electrical Code as promulgated, published, or made available by the International Code Council, Inc. or by the National Fire Protection Association and adopted by the South Carolina Building Code Council are hereby adopted as permitted by Title 6, Chapter 9 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina 1976... are hereby adopted by reference and incorporated into this article as if set forth at length in this section. The provisions therein shall be controlling within the county coming under the purview of this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29).
Full Breakdown
Section 10-81 adopts the latest editions of the International Building, Residential, Fuel Gas, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fire, Energy Conservation and National Electrical Codes as promulgated by the International Code Council and approved by the South Carolina Building Codes Council, effective on the state's implementation date for the county. C. Code § 6-9-50: it does not adopt the model codes' provisions on hiring, firing and duties of building officials and inspectors, leaving personnel matters to county administration. , the county's procedures control. C. Fire Chiefs Association, a professional engineer, a contractor, a home builder, a realtor and a consumer, hears appeals and variance requests under the Plumbing Code and the other adopted technical codes per § 10-26(b).
Permit fees for plumbing and other building permits are not printed in the code volume; § 10-29 directs applicants to the county offices for the current fee schedule. Violations of the article or the adopted codes are misdemeanors under § 10-30, punishable per the general penalty in § 1-6, and the county may also pursue injunctive relief or mandamus rather than relying on the criminal penalty alone.
Violations & Fines
Violating the adopted Plumbing Code or working without a required permit is a misdemeanor under § 10-30, punished under the general penalty section, § 1-6: a fine up to $500.00 or up to 30 days imprisonment, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The county can also seek injunctive relief or mandamus instead of, or alongside, criminal prosecution to force compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plumbing code applies in unincorporated Spartanburg County?
Where do I find the plumbing permit fee?
Who hears an appeal of a plumbing permit denial?
What happens if I do plumbing work without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spartanburg County
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