Orangeburg County, SC Swimming Pools & Spas: Pool Permits (2026)

Sec. 2 of the county code, adopted alongside the building permit rate schedule, lists "Swimming Pools" among the "Other Permitting Fees" and specifies that a pool project requires Building plus Electrical plus Plan Review, meaning the applicant must secure a building permit and an electrical permit and submit plans for review rather than pay a single flat fee. That plan review requirement tracks the general plan review fees Sec. 2 sets for other work: 25% of the permit fee for residential projects and 50% for commercial projects.

The underlying permit duty comes from Sec. 6-15, which requires any owner, agent or contractor who wants to construct, enlarge, alter or repair a structure regulated by the codes adopted in Sec. 6-14, including the 2024 International Residential Code and International Building Code, to apply to the building official and obtain a permit before starting work. Sec. 6-16 bars the building official from issuing that permit until the fee is paid, and Sec. 6-18 doubles the fee if pool construction starts before a permit is obtained.

Because the permit table treats pools as needing an electrical permit as well, an in-ground or above-ground pool with pumps, lighting or bonding wiring also triggers the National Electrical Code permit obligation. Appeals from a building official's pool-permit decision go to the Buildings Regulations Board of Appeals under Sec. 6-19.