Building Safety in Charleston, SC (2026)
5 verified building safety rules for Charleston, South Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Charleston makes property owners responsible for removing or permanently covering lead-based paint on exposed interior and exterior surfaces once the board of health finds it a danger to health, under City Code Section 7-117. The rule targets surfaces within 5 feet of ground level that children age six or younger can reach.
Charleston's Lead Paint Removal Duty
Some RestrictionsCharleston City Code § 7-117
(a)For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply: Exposed surface. An "exposed surface" is any interior surface of a dwelling, dwelling unit or child care facility and any exterior surface of such a structure, such as stairs, porches, railings, windows, doors and siding from ground level to a vertical distance of at least five (5) feet, which are readily accessible to c...
Building Permits
Before any erection, construction, or alteration of a building in Charleston begins, the owner, architect, or builder must notify the chief building official and submit written plans and specifications, and all such work must conform to the adopted South Carolina Residential and Building Code, with cost sworn under oath before a permit issues.
Charleston Building Permit Notification Rule
Some RestrictionsCharleston City Code §§ 7-7, 7-26
Sec. 7-7. - Notification of chief building official prior to construction; submission of plans and specifications. Before the erection, construction or alteration of any building or part of a building in the city is commenced, the owner, architect or builder shall notify the chief building official, and shall submit to him a statement in writing of the specifications and plans of such erection,...
Electrical Permits
Charleston enforces the South Carolina Residential Code and Building Code, which folds in the National Electrical Code for every electrical system in the city. All wiring, fixtures and equipment installed in new construction, alterations or repairs must conform, and the Building Inspections Division reviews and permits the work under City Code Sec. 7-26.
Charleston Adopts SC Building and Electrical Code
Some RestrictionsCharleston City Code § 7-26(a)
The latest edition of the South Carolina Residential Code and Building Code, as adopted by the state and published by the International Code Council, Inc., is hereby adopted so that hereafter all building construction, reconstruction, alteration and repairs; including all building materials, electrical systems, gas systems, mechanical systems, plumbing systems and appliances used in connection ...
Plumbing Permits
Charleston adopts the South Carolina Residential and Building Code by reference under City Code Section 7-26, so every plumbing installation, repair or replacement must conform to that code and pass the Building Inspections Division's permit and inspection process. A Charleston-specific amendment doubles the model code's minimum water-service pipe burial depth to 12 inches.
Charleston's Adopted Plumbing Code And Permits
Some RestrictionsCharleston City Code §§ 7-26(a), 7-27
(a)The latest edition of the South Carolina Residential Code and Building Code, as adopted by the state and published by the International Code Council, Inc., is hereby adopted so that hereafter all building construction, reconstruction, alteration and repairs; including all building materials, electrical systems, gas systems, mechanical systems, plumbing systems and appliances used in connecti...
Building Inspections
Charleston's chief building official must personally inspect, or have inspected, every building erected in the city, and can also send inspectors to any existing building that appears dangerous, dilapidated, unhealthy, or unsanitary, backed by direct enforcement authority over the city's building laws.
Charleston Building Inspection Authority
Some RestrictionsCharleston City Code § 7-5
Sec. 7-5. - Inspection of buildings. The chief building official shall personally inspect or cause to be inspected all buildings erected throughout the city, and also all buildings now standing in the city which to him appear to be in a dangerous, dilapidated, unhealthy or unsanitary condition.
Looking for Charleston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Charleston city rules.
Building Safety in Charleston County →