South Carolina — plumbing code & licensing
Verified
The code
| Code family | IPC with South Carolina modifications (South Carolina Plumbing Code) |
| Edition in force | 2021 South Carolina Plumbing Code (2021 IPC with SC modifications) |
| Effective date | 2023-01-01 |
| Adopted by | South Carolina Building Codes Council (LLR) |
| Adoption source | https://www.llr.sc.gov/BCC/PDFfiles/Building%20Codes%20in%20Effect%20for%20South%20Carolina.pdf |
| State amendments | State amendments at their own official document — https://llr.sc.gov/BCC/Modification_Main.aspx |
Licensing
| Model | split - state residential specialty licensing / state commercial contractor licensing |
| Authority | South Carolina Residential Builders Commission (residential plumber) and South Carolina Contractor's Licensing Board (Mechanical Contractor - Plumbing (PB)) |
| Licensing source | https://llr.sc.gov/res/resplumber.aspx |
| License classes | https://llr.sc.gov/res/resplumber.aspx |
Permits & inspections
SC Building Codes Council adoption does not include the administrative chapters; administrative policies and procedures are the sole responsibility of each local jurisdiction (Building Codes in Effect document).
How this record was verified
| Adoption | Verified |
| Amendments | Verified |
| Licensing | Verified |
| Permits & inspections | Verified |
Working notes
2024 IPC adopted by the Council on Aug 26, 2025 as the 2024 South Carolina Plumbing Code, with implementation date Jan 1, 2027 - NOT in force on 2026-10-31. Licensing: residential plumbing work exceeding $500 requires a license via the Residential Builders Commission; commercial plumbing work exceeding $10,000 falls to the Contractor's Licensing Board as Mechanical Contractor with Plumbing (PB) classification. Caveat: the LLR Modification_Main page fetch listed modification sets only through 2018 (stale/incomplete display); the 2024 Final Modification Index is the fresher amendments record.
Reference only. Compiled from the cited official sources as of the date shown; adoptions and rules change. Confirm with the authority having jurisdiction before designing or permitting work.