Building Safety in Berkeley County, SC (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Berkeley County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Building Permits
Berkeley County Code Sec. 11-64 bars any work covered by the adopted technical codes from starting until the permitting department issues a valid permit, and the permit card must then be posted on site, weather-protected, for the life of construction. Sec. 11-65 doubles every fee if work begins first anyway.
Berkeley County Building Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsBerkeley County Code of Ordinances § 11-64
No work relating to the codes adopted by this article shall commence until a valid permit for such work has been issued by the permitting department. Work requiring a permit shall not commence until the permit holder, or his/her agent, has posted the building permit card in a visible location on the premises. The permit card must be protected from the weather and maintained on site throughout c...
Electrical Permits
Berkeley County enforces the 2020 National Electrical Code by reference under Sec. 11-31 and charges a flat $45.00 electrical permit fee for service up to 200 amps under Sec. 11-86, plus $0.15 per amp above 200 and a $25.00 safety-inspection fee whenever service has been interrupted.
Berkeley County Electrical Permit Fees
Some RestrictionsBerkeley County Code of Ordinances §§ 11-31, 11-86
2020 Edition: National Electric Code ... Sec. 11-86. - Electrical permit fees. The fees for electrical permits up to 200 amps shall be $45.00. The fees for electrical permits over 200 amps shall be $45.00 and $0.15 for each additional amp above 200 amps. The fee for a safety inspection where electrical service has been interrupted shall be $25.00.
Plumbing Permits
Berkeley County requires a plumbing permit under Berkeley County Code of Ordinances Sec. 11-88 for any fixture, water heater, drain-waste-vent system, water-piping work, or sewer connection in the unincorporated county. Fees are itemized per item rather than flat-rated, and the county enforces the 2021 International Plumbing Code it adopted by reference in Sec. 11-31, administered through the building and codes department.
Berkeley County Plumbing Permit and Fees
Some RestrictionsBerkeley County Code of Ordinances § 11-88
The following fees shall be charged when provided: For each plumbing fixture, (including water and drainage) - $3.00 For each water heater and/or appurtenances - $5.00 For each drain, waste and vent system, new, repaired or altered - $15.00 For installation, alteration, or repair of water piping - $15.00 For each sewer to public, private, or individual sewage disposal system - $15.00
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