Planning, Design & Construction

Our primary goal is to partner with University Facilities project managers, architects, engineers, faculty, and staff to ensure a safe and exceptional built environment across all Clemson University properties and campuses. Clemson’s Building Codes team operates under regulatory authority delegated by the South Carolina Office of State Engineer (OSE) and is responsible for plan review, permitting, inspections, and certificates of occupancy in accordance with state building codes and the OSE Manual.

During the preconstruction phase, we work closely with the Facilities Planning, Design, and Construction team to ensure that building designs meet applicable building codes and internal standards and are ready for permitting. Procurement staff ensure that construction services are procured in accordance with South Carolina law (§11351520, §11351530, §11352910, and §11352920).

Once active construction begins, our inspectors regularly visit construction sites to verify that work matches the approved plans and specifications and complies with applicable codes and internal standards.

As projects transition from construction to occupancy, we partner with the University Fire Marshal to calculate and verify occupancy as part of ensuring a smooth and safe transition for end users.

Throughout the entire project lifecycle, we collaborate with Facilities, Public Safety, end users, and other stakeholders to resolve issues as they arise.

Procurement of construction and A/E services is conducted separately by Clemson’s Procurement and Project Management staff in accordance with the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code (Title 11, Chapter 35) and the South Carolina Procurement Regulations (19-445). Codes personnel do not participate in procurement decision making, in order to maintain the segregation of duties required by state law.

Duties of the Building Codes Office

Our responsibilities under the adopted Building Codes and the OSE Manual include:

• Reviewing drawings for conformance with applicable codes and standards.
• Supporting Procurement and Capital Projects staff by providing scope clarification and technical code input when requested, while remaining fully independent of procurement decisions.
• Coordinating with Procurement and Capital Projects staff so that permit documents accurately reflect the final, procured scope of work.
• Issuing building permits for new construction, renovations, demolition, and temporary structures such as stages, membrane structures, tents, and portable buildings.
• Inspecting construction projects for compliance with fire safety requirements, accessibility guidelines, and building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes.
• Issuing certificates of occupancy for new buildings and approvals for reoccupancy following renovations.

We value your feedback and welcome suggestions for improvement. Please send suggestions to the Building Codes Division. Procurement-related questions should be directed to Procurement and Project Management Staff.