Beaufort County adopts updated state‑required building codes effective Jan. 1, 2027

Staff told the committee the South Carolina Building Code Council adopted updated nationally recognized construction codes and the county must adopt them with state modifications. The county will implement the new building, residential, fire, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas and energy compliance codes (2024 international series), and the 2023 national electric code, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

"New codes will be implemented on 01/01/2027," the presenter said. The presenter explained the state requires local adoption of the updated codes; failure to adopt can affect insurance ratings that are tied to ISO evaluations. The committee moved and approved the adoption per state requirements.

Committee members asked about potential consequences of nonadoption; staff said insurance rates are influenced by ISO ratings and that state law requires counties to adopt the updated codes with approved state modifications. The committee approved the ordinance adopting the updated codes unanimously.