This May, the City of Greer joins the International Code Council and communities across the globe in celebrating the 46th annual Building Safety Month — and the codes, professionals, and practices that make lasting safety possible.
Every time you walk through the doors of a business on Trade Street, drop your kids off at a Greer school, or settle in for the evening at home, you are benefiting from something most people never think about: building codes. Building Safety Month — observed each May and led by the International Code Council (ICC) — is our annual reminder to shine a light on the standards and the professionals behind that everyday protection.
This year’s theme, “Built to Last,” resonates deeply with where Greer is right now. Our community is one of the fastest growing in the Upstate. New neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and mixed-use developments are reshaping our city. That growth is exciting — and it makes the work of our building department more important than ever. Every permit issued, every inspection completed, and every set of plans reviewed is a direct investment in Greer’s long-term safety and resilience.
“Building codes are not red tape. They are the accumulated lessons of decades of engineering science, disaster response, and hard-won experience. They are, in the most literal sense, written in the interest of saving lives.”
The ICC develops the model codes — including the International Building Code, International Residential Code, and International Fire Code — that form the foundation of construction standards across North America. South Carolina adopts and enforces ICC codes statewide, and the City of Greer is committed to consistent, thorough enforcement on behalf of every resident and visitor.
The 2026 campaign is organized around four weekly themes, each connecting building safety to something personal and meaningful:
Week | Theme | Focus |
Week 1 | May 1–10 | Safe Homes, Strong Communities | Simple actions homeowners can take to improve safety where it starts — at home. |
Week 2 | May 11–17 | Voices of the Built Environment | Spotlighting the building safety professionals who keep our communities safe every day. |
Week 3 | May 18–24 | Prepared to Protect | Community preparedness and disaster-resilient building codes that protect people and property. |
Week 4 | May 25–31 | Communities Without Limits | The importance of accessibility in building construction and design for all residents. |
Each of these themes speaks directly to the work we do here in Greer. Week Two, spotlighting building safety professionals, is an opportunity I want to use personally: the inspectors, plans examiners, and permit technicians on our team are some of the most dedicated public servants in this city. Their expertise is what makes “Built to Last” more than a slogan — it’s a daily commitment.
To our homeowners: whether you are replacing a roof, finishing a basement, or adding a deck, pulling a permit ensures the work is done right and protects your home’s value and your family’s safety. To our development community: our team is here as a resource and partner. We want your projects to succeed — safely and on schedule. When in doubt, call us before you build.
Greer is a community being built to last. I am proud to lead a team that helps make that true — one inspection at a time.
-Sam Dobson, Chief Building Official