S.C. Code Regs. § 8-701
Authority
Operative Text
(A) With the exception of one and two family detached dwellings and other residential buildings to be offered for sale as individual dwelling units, every building or structure shall have all levels and areas made accessible to disabled persons in accordance with the latest edition of the International Code Council/American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ICC/ANSI) document A117.1, and the requirements of this section. (B) Buildings containing dwelling units that are to be offered for rent, such as apartments, hotels, dormitories, etc., shall provide the following number of fully accessible units. Total Number of Units Number of Accessible Units 0 thru 19 1 20 or more 5% Fractions of 1/2 or more shall be counted as a whole unit
S.C. Code Regs. ch. 8 § 8-701 establishes accessibility requirements for buildings in South Carolina, with a specific exemption for one- and two-family detached dwellings and residential buildings sold as individual units. For rental buildings such as apartments, hotels, and dormitories, the rule mandates a minimum number of fully accessible units scaled to the total unit count: at least one accessible unit for properties with 19 or fewer units, and at least 5% for properties with 20 or more units. Fractional results of one-half or greater are rounded up to the next whole unit, and all levels and areas of covered buildings must meet ICC/ANSI A117.1 accessibility standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental residential buildings in South Carolina must comply with S.C. Code Regs. ch. 8 § 8-701 by ensuring that the required proportion of units are fully accessible to disabled persons. A compliant operator generally calculates the required number of accessible units based on total unit count—one unit for properties up to 19 units, and 5% (rounded up at the half-unit threshold) for larger properties—and ensures those units meet ICC/ANSI A117.1 standards. Operators also typically ensure that all levels and areas of the building are made accessible, except where the provision's exemptions for certain single- and two-family or for-sale properties apply.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under S.C. Code Regs. ch. 8 § 8-701, tenants with disabilities have a right to expect that qualifying rental buildings provide a minimum number of fully accessible units and that all building levels and areas meet ICC/ANSI A117.1 standards. If a rental property appears to fall short of these requirements, tenants may consider raising the issue with the South Carolina building or housing authority, or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with state accessibility regulations. Tenants may also explore whether a violation of this provision is relevant to any housing complaint or legal proceeding they are involved in.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 19, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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