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South Carolina Building Codes Council

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Code Adoption Process

After each new code edition is issued by the International Code Council (ICC), the SC Building Codes Council begins the process of adopting and/or modifying the Codes. Below you will find information about the code modification procedures and the code study committee, which is appointed by the SC Building Codes Council to perform the initial review of all submitted code modification requests.

Code Modification Procedure

2021 Code Modifcation Form

Code modification requests are processed according to South Carolina Code of Regulations 8-240. For all requirements related to the code modification process please reference the Regulations.

Requests for building code modifications will be considered when submitted:

  1. By an official representative of a local jurisdiction proposing the modification: or,
  2. By an official representative of the professional association proposing the modification.

“Professional Association” means an entity with membership consisting of individuals directly involved in the use, application or enforcement of building codes, or entities that manufacture, test or provide technical representation for materials, components or methods used in the construction industry.

Proposed amendments with all supporting documentation must be submitted to the Council’s staff a minimum of 10 working days prior to the Committee meeting date.

The Council may grant modifications on a local or statewide bases, as provided for in Regulation 8-240. Each request for modification must be submitted separately, and requests may submitted to the Council on a Council-approved form with all additionally required documents. Requests may be emailed, faxed, or mailed per the information below.

SC Building Codes Council
PO Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211
Contact.BCC@llr.sc.gov
Fax: 803-896-4614

Code Study Committee

The purpose of the Code Study Committee (Committee) is to perform a technical analysis of proposed modifications to the building codes authorized by Sections 6-9-50 and 6-9-60 of the Building Codes Act and to report its findings and recommendation to the Building Codes Council (BCC). For all information regarding the appointment and responsibility of the Study Committee, please see Regulation 8-246.

Membership:

The Committee will consist of five core members and five alternates, appointed by the BCC for a period of three years. Core members and alternates must be active within the specific segment of the industry that they are representing on the Study Committee for the length of their tenure. The core membership of the Study Committee must consist of:

  1. A registered code enforcement officer;
  2. A state licensed home builder;
  3. A state licensed general contractor;
  4. A state licensed architect, and,
  5. A state licensed structural engineer.

An alternate acts in the place and on behalf of, the core member in the instance of an absence or recusal.

In addition to the core members, other persons who will be known as ‘‘specialty members’’ may be selected to serve from time to time, on an as needed basis. Specialty members will be selected to represent a segment of the construction industry that may be affected by a specific building code modification or to provide specialized knowledge to the Study Committee within his or her area of expertise. Specialty members will have full rights to participate and vote on any issue within their areas of expertise. Specialty members will be selected by the Council chair, vice chair and staff from a pool of volunteers and may consist of representatives of any segment of the construction industry, including specialized code enforcement officers and fire officials.


Actions:

The Committee must review all proposed amendments and as much of the pertinent supporting documentation and testimony as necessary to reach a decision. If the Committee cannot reach a decision based on the documentation and testimony provided, the proposed amendment may be carried over to a future meeting, until a decision is reached.

A report of the Committee, including a list of pros and cons for the proposed amendments, must be submitted in writing to the BCC with a recommendation for:

  1. Approval; or,
  2. Disapproval; or
  3. Approval as revised.

In the event that the Committee is unable to reach a decision on a recommendation, the matter will be presented to the BCC.

Meetings:

All meetings are open to the public and attendees are encouraged to participate. Meeting dates are scheduled throughout the 180-day comment period and can be located on the Calendar .