Building Safety in Darlington County, SC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Darlington County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Green Building Code
Darlington County has not adopted a separate green building code. The county's only sustainability-related building standard is Sec. 8-37, adopting the International Energy Conservation Code, 2000 Edition, by reference for all new construction and major renovation work in unincorporated Darlington County, enforced by the building codes enforcement officer alongside the building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes.
Darlington County Energy Conservation Code
Light RestrictionsDarlington County Code §§ 8-37, 8-39
Sec. 8-37. - Energy code. The International Energy Conservation Code, 2000 edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc. is hereby adopted by reference. ... ... Sec. 8-39. - Revisions. Codes will be automatically updated on a three year cycle with the latest editions of building, fire, plumbing, mechanical, gas, electrical, energy, and residential codes for enforcement as modifi...
Building Permits
Darlington County requires a permit from the building codes enforcement officer before anyone may construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish a building, structure or service system in the unincorporated county. Sec. 8-77 exempts only agricultural storage structure work costing $5,000 or less that needs no inspection, and Sec. 8-86 allows temporary storm or disaster repairs of 30 days or less without a permit.
Darlington County Building Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsDarlington County Code §§ 8-77, 8-86
Sec. 8-77. - Permit required. No person shall construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building, structure, or service system, or install any electrical, gas, or plumbing equipment or other apparatus regulated by this chapter without first obtaining from the building codes enforcement officer a separate permit for each such building, structure, system, ...
Electrical Permits
Darlington County adopted the 2002 National Electrical Code by reference under Sec. 8-36 for all wiring, service and equipment work in unincorporated Darlington County. Sec. 8-77 requires a separate permit from the building codes enforcement officer before installing any electrical equipment or apparatus, with a narrow exemption only for agricultural storage structures costing $5,000 or less needing no inspection.
Darlington County Electrical Permit & NEC
Some RestrictionsDarlington County Code §§ 8-36, 8-77
Sec. 8-36. - Electrical code. The National Electrical Code, 2002 Edition, as published by the National Fire Protection Association, is hereby adopted by reference and shall be known and cited as the "Electrical Code." ... ... Sec. 8-77. - Permit required. No person shall construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building, structure, or service system, or...
Plumbing Permits
Unincorporated Darlington County has adopted the International Plumbing Code, 2000 Edition, by reference under Code § 8-33, and § 8-77 requires a separate permit from the building codes enforcement officer before installing or altering any plumbing system, except for agricultural storage structures costing $5,000.00 or less that need no code inspection.
Darlington County Plumbing Code and Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsDarlington County Code §§ 8-33, 8-77
Sec. 8-33. - Plumbing code. The International Plumbing Code, 2000 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc. is hereby adopted by reference along with the following appendices: •Appendix B—Rates Of Rainfall For Various Cities•Appendix D—Degree Day And Design Temperatures For Cities In The U.S.•Appendix E—Sizing Of Water Piping System•Appendix F—Structural Safety•Appendix G—V...
Building Inspections
The Darlington County Building Inspection/Code Enforcement Department, established under Sec. 8-71, inspects permitted construction in the unincorporated county under the supervision of the building codes enforcement officer. Sec. 8-87 authorizes department personnel to act as code enforcement officers and issue written notices or uniform ordinance summons on witnessing a violation, and Appendix A charges escalating fees for reinspections caused by deficient work.
Darlington County Building Inspection Process
Some RestrictionsDarlington County Code §§ 8-71, 8-87, Appendix A
Sec. 8-71. - Building inspection/code enforcement department established. There is hereby established within the county government of the county the Darlington County Building Inspection/Code Enforcement Department (the "department"), which department shall be under the immediate supervision of the building codes enforcement officer, as defined below. ... ... Sec. 8-87. - Enforcement. (a)The bu...
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