Greenville County, SC Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- SC Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition
- Permitting office
- Building Safety & Code Enforcement
- First violation fine
- up to $200
- Repeat violation fine
- up to $2,000 per day
- Appeal deadline
- 20 days to Board of Appeals
- Citation hearing window
- 10 days to request Magistrate hearing
Summary
Unincorporated Greenville County requires a plumbing permit under the 2021 South Carolina Plumbing Code before any plumbing installation, alteration or repair begins. The Building Safety & Code Enforcement Division sets fees by an adopted schedule, and a first violation draws up to a $200 civil penalty. A second, uncorrected violation within seven days can reach $2,000, with each day counted as a separate offense.
South Carolina Plumbing Code - 2021 Edition, in its entirety together with the following Chapter 1 Section revisions: ... Section 109.2 Fee Schedule. The fees for all plumbing work shall be in accordance with the schedule as established by the governing authority. ... 115.4 Violation Penalties. ... (1) Any person found to be in violation of the Plumbing Code or failing to comply with any of the requirements thereof may be cited and assessed, by civil penalty, an amount not more than two hundred dollars. Before being charged with a second violation, the person must be given seven calendar days to remedy the violation or submit an acceptable plan for correcting the violation. (2) A person who fails to correct a violation ... may be cited and assessed, by civil penalty, an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
Greenville County adopted the South Carolina Plumbing Code, 2021 Edition, in its entirety through County Code § 5-22(g), covering every plumbing installation, alteration and repair in the unincorporated area. Section 101.1 names the local version "the Plumbing Code of the County of Greenville, SC." Before work starts, an owner, agent or contractor must apply to the code official (the county's Building Safety & Code Enforcement Division) and pay the fee set under Section 109.2's schedule; Section 109.5 lets the Building Official set a refund policy for canceled permits.
If the code official finds work proceeding contrary to the code or in an unsafe manner, Section 116 authorizes a stop work order, served in writing on the owner, agent or worker, and continuing the work afterward exposes the violator to the Section 115.4 penalties below. A person who disagrees with the code official's interpretation can appeal to the Board of Appeals under Section 113, but the application must be filed on a form within 20 days of the notice being served; the board is appointed by County Council and adopts its own procedural rules (GC Ord.
4475). Even a small technical detail carries force under this adoption: Section 903.1 requires open vent pipes through a roof to terminate at least 10 inches above the roof, or at least 7 feet where the roof serves another purpose besides weather protection. Violations move through Magistrate's Court: a citation lists the violator's name and address, the nature and location of the violation, and the fine amount, and the recipient has 10 days to pay or request a hearing where the Magistrate can waive, reduce or affirm the penalty.
Violations & Fines
A first plumbing code violation draws a civil penalty of up to $200, with seven calendar days to fix it or submit a correction plan before a second citation issues. A second, uncorrected violation can reach $2,000, and each additional day of noncompliance counts as a separate offense. Unpaid fines go before the Magistrate, who can treat a default as a civil judgment and attach a lien to the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in unincorporated Greenville County?
What happens if I keep working after a stop work order?
Can I appeal a plumbing permit decision?
How much can a plumbing violation cost me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greenville County
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