South Carolina H 5216: Energy

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5216 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 30, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5216

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Amended

April 29, 2026

H. 5216

Introduced by Reps. Chapman, Brewer, Sessions, 
Gagnon, Sanders, Hager, Vaughan, Ligon, M. M. Smith, Kirby and Teeple 

S. Printed 4/29/26--H. [SEC 
4/30/2026 10:52 AM]

Read the first time February 19, 2026

________

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING 
SECTION 6-10-30, RELATING TO THE ADOPTION OF THE 2009 EDITION OF THE ENERGY 
CONSERVATION CODE, SO AS TO LIMIT ITS APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCTION FALLING 
WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 
6-10-40, RELATING TO APPEAL BY LOCAL JURISDICTION FOR VARIANCE TO THE SOUTH 
CAROLINA BUILDING CODES COUNCIL, SO AS TO REQUIRE THAT STATEWIDE MODIFICATIONS 
NOT FALLING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE MAY BE MADE 
IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER BUILDING CODES.

 Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 6-10-30 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 Section 
6-10-30. The 2009 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code is 
adopted as the Energy Standard for construction that falls 
within the scope of the International Residential Code. For all other types of 
construction, the edition of the International Energy Conservation Code is 
subject to adoption by the South Carolina Codes Council in accordance with 
Section 6-9-50 as the Energy Standard. All new and 
renovated buildings and additions constructed within the State must comply with 
this standard.

SECTION 2. Section 6-10-40 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 Section 
6-10-40. (A) A local jurisdiction may appeal to the South Carolina 
Building Codes Council for a variance from the Energy Standard for application 
within its jurisdiction based on special local conditions. The council may 
approve variations if it is established to the council's satisfaction that the 
proposed variance:

 (1) 
is consistent with this chapter, so that its application will not reduce 
statewide uniformity of effective energy conservation;

 (2) 
does not discriminate against particular technologies, techniques, or 
materials;

 (3) 
does not unnecessarily increase the cost of construction and operation of the 
building in the jurisdiction; or

 (4) 
is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare within the 
jurisdiction.

 (B) Copies of an approved 
variance must be provided upon the request by the State Energy Office.

 (C) Statewide modifications to the 
Energy Standard for construction not falling within the scope of the 
International Residential Code, including emergency modifications, may be made 
in the same manner as other building codes adopted by the South Carolina 
Building Codes Council pursuant to Chapter 9, Title 6.

SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval 
by the Governor. The International Energy Conservation Code is effective upon 
adoption by the South Carolina Building Codes Council during its established 
review cycle and codification of amendments or modifications in accordance with 
Section 1-23-90 of the S.C. Code of Laws.

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This web page was last updated on April 30, 2026 at 10:53 AM