All municipalities, as defined by Section 5-1-20, and counties in this State shall adopt building, energy, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, and fire codes, referred to as building codes in this chapter, relating to the construction, livability, sanitation, erection, energy efficiency, installation of equipment, alteration, repair, occupancy, or removal of structures located within their jurisdictions and promulgate regulations to implement their enforcement. The municipality or county may adopt only the national, regional, or model codes provided in Section 6-9-50.

With the exception of structures used primarily for offices, storage, warehouses, shop areas, or residential housing, nothing in the building codes or regulations applies to electric cooperatives, the Public Service Authority, or to a public utility corporation subject to regulation by the authorities of the South Carolina Public Service Commission or the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board.

To the extent that federal regulations preempt state and local laws, nothing in this chapter shall conflict with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations regarding manufactured housing construction and installation.