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Code Status: South Carolina

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of South Carolina. Information for all 50 States is also available. South Carolina Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: 2006 IECC mandatory in all jurisdictions across the state. REScheck can be used to show compliance.
  • Commercial Code: 2006 IECC mandatory in all jurisdictions across the state. COMcheck can be used to show compliance.
  • Code Change Cycle: No set schedule. Last updated code was effective July 1, 2008.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change Process: The South Carolina Building Codes Council (BCC) is charged with adopting and amending the statewide building codes. Adoption of the latest version of the national model codes is done through the publication of a notice of intent in the state register, followed by a comment period and at least one public hearing. A study committee may be convened to consider public feedback, and once promulgated, the code becomes effective on the first day of January or July which is more than six months from the effective day of the regulation (See the supporting documents below for more detailed information on the process).

State Code History: The South Carolina Building Energy Efficiency Standard Act was first enacted in 1979. The Act referenced the Southern Building Code Congress, International (SBCCI) Standard Building Code for energy provisions. The Governor signed a statewide building code bill in the summer of 1997.

Prior to June 13, 1997, local jurisdictions that desired to adopt building codes were permitted to do so by local ordinance. If a jurisdiction did adopt building codes, it was required to adopt only the codes authorized by the Building Codes Act. Once adopted, the jurisdiction was obligated to continue adoption of each new edition within one year after it was made available by the publisher. The implementation date for enforcement was established by the local jurisdiction.

Starting July 13, 1997, all local jurisdictions that did not legally "opt out" of the mandatory building code program were required to adopt building codes by local ordinance, after they were authorized by the Council. The Council was also required to establish the date of implementation for each of the adopted codes. Starting July 2, 2003, the Council was charged with the responsibility for adopting all mandatory building codes and establishing the date of implementation for the local jurisdictions.

Previous adoptions of energy codes in South Carolina were the 2000 IECC on May 24, 2000 (effective July 1, 2001) and the 2003 IECC on May 26, 2004 (effective January 1, 2005).

On November 28, 2007, the South Carolina Building Code Council (BCC) formally adopted the 2006 IECC. Due to the statuary process for code adoption, the 2006 IECC was officially implemented in South Carolina on July 1, 2008.

South Carolina Code Chronology

Enactment Date

Effective Date

Description

Before June 1997

Local jurisdictions that desired to adopt building codes were permitted to do so by local ordinance. If a jurisdiction did adopt building codes, it was required to adopt only the codes authorized by the Building Codes Act

June 1997

July 1997

All local jurisdictions that did not legally "opt out" of the mandatory building code program were required to adopt building codes by local ordinance, after they were authorized by the Council

May 2000

July 2001

2000 IECC

May 2004

Jan 2005

2003 IECC

Nov 2007

July 2008

2006 IECC

Source: South Carolina Building Codes Council

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2005, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 359.5 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 255.4 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 614.9 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 4,012,012
  • Total Housing Units2: 1,825,531
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 43,059
    • 1 unit: 36,160
    • 2 units: 278
    • 3 and 4 units: 577
    • 5+ units: 6,044
    • structures of 5+ units: 440

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
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Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

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