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

Section 6-25(1)c adopts the International Plumbing, Mechanical, Gas, Energy and Fire Codes by reference, alongside the International Residential and Building Codes and all future revisions issued by the S.C. Building Code Council, governing construction, alteration, and use of buildings and structures countywide. Section 6-54 requires the owner or responsible contractor to obtain a single permit covering all work needed for the project and to be responsible for subcontractor qualifications. Section 6-55 bars issuing a plumbing permit unless the contractor holds a certificate of qualification from the state municipal association or is otherwise licensed or certified by South Carolina; the county will accept a contractor's license issued by any municipality or county in the state.

Under Sec. 6-56, the building codes board of adjustments and appeals may issue a special certificate to a contractor who has performed the trade in the county for at least 36 months but cannot pass the qualification exam, based on documented job history. Appeals from the building official's decisions on plumbing permits go first to the planning and zoning director and then, on review, to the five-member board of adjustments and appeals under Sec. 6-90, with a written decision mailed within 30 days; a further appeal to circuit court must be filed within 30 days of the board's decision under Sec. 6-91.