The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / Florence County - Building Inspection Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Florence County, SC?

Adopted code

Florence County - Building Inspection Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Florence County, SC, issued by Florence County - Building Inspection Department. The Department has published no statement on reroofing either way. Its Building Permits page says: "It is very important that permits be obtained from the Building Inspection Department for any work being done in Florence County. Obtaining the permit is the responsibility of the person doing the work." It also tells owners: "If a contractor requests that you get the permit, PLEASE DON'T. The contractor may not be properly bonded, licensed, qualified, or want to be responsible for their work." The County Code does not list permit work itself; Section 7-11 brings in the administration chapter of the 2021 South Carolina Residential Code, and the Department has published no exemption for roof covering replacement. Apply through the County's online permitting portal or at 518 South Irby Street, Florence (843-676-8600). State law requires the permit office to see evidence of the contractor's Residential Builders Commission registration or licence, or of an exemption, before it issues the permit. The permit fee schedule the County links doubles the fees where permit work is started before the permit is obtained. Confirm with the Department that the property is in its jurisdiction; the County lists the City of Johnsonville and the Towns of Olanta, Quinby, Scranton, Timmonsville and Pamplico as consolidated with it for building.

Roof code checklist: Unincorporated Florence County, SC

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesflorencecountysc.gov2026-09-26
Repair permit thresholdPublishedlibrary.municode.com2026-09-26
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-09-26
Deck & sheathingPublishedR803library.municode.com2026-09-26
Drip edgeNot published
Ice & water shieldNot published
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNolibrary.municode.com2026-09-26
Wind design criteriaPublishedR301.2.1Florence County.pdf2026-09-26
Adopted codePublishedSec. 7-11library.municode.com2026-09-26
Contractor license / registrationYesscstatehouse.gov2026-09-26
Sales & use taxPublishedST575.pdf2026-09-26

Each row comes from the sourced record on this page; full wording is in the table below. "Not published" means no official source for that item was found when the record was last verified.

Jurisdiction
Florence County, South Carolina (unincorporated)
Jurisdiction type
county
Address
518 S. Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501
Contact
  • url: https://www.florencecountysc.gov/planning/
  • phone: 843-676-8600
Permit portal
Permit portal
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
  • state_level: Roofing is a named Residential Specialty Contractor classification of the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission: "Roofers: the installation, alteration and repair of materials common to the residential building industry that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for roofs and decks, including all accessories, flashing, valleys, gravel stops and roof insulation panels above the roof deck." A residential specialty contractor is one who contracts to do "construction work, repairs, improvement, or reimprovement which requires special skills and involves the use of specialized construction trades or craft, when the undertakings exceed five hundred dollars" (S.C. Code Section 40-59-20), and "all residential specialty contractors must be registered" with the Commission (Section 40-59-220(A)). When the cost of an undertaking for an individual property owner "exceeds five thousand dollars, the residential specialty contractor must obtain an executed bond" (Section 40-59-220(D)). A residential builder, one who undertakes the "construction, repair, improvement, or reimprovement of a residential building" when "the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars", must be licensed (Sections 40-59-20 and 40-59-220(A)). The permit office "shall refuse to issue a permit for an undertaking which requires licensure or registration under this chapter unless the applicant has furnished evidence that he is either licensed or registered in accordance with this chapter or exempt from the requirements of this chapter" (Section 40-59-280). Section 40-59-260 states that the chapter "does not apply to an owner of residential property who improves the property" where the owner "does the work himself, with his own employees, or with licensed contractors or registered entities or individuals" and the structure is for the owner's or family's own occupancy and not for sale or rent, and Section 40-59-270 states that the chapter "does not apply to a person licensed under Chapter 11" for that work.
  • county_level: Florence County's building chapter (Chapter 7 of the County Code, read in full) sets no County contractor licence or registration of its own; its former section on uniform licensing of plumbing, HVAC, gas and electrical contractors (Section 7-2) was repealed in 2004. The Department's Building Permits page states that "Before any person can purchase a permit, they must be licensed and/or qualified to work in Florence County", lists "Provide proof of proper South Carolina license, if required" among the steps for construction work, and says a business license is needed when working inside a municipality. The County's permit application asks for the contractor's "State License No." and "License Class" and states that "All subcontractors are required to be properly licensed or registered in accordance with state law." The application's Owner/Builder Exemption portion, written for construction of a new single-family residence, "must be completed and filed with the Florence County Register and Deeds Office (RM B11) prior to processing by the permitting staff."
Permit process note
The Department has published no statement on reroofing either way. Its Building Permits page says: "It is very important that permits be obtained from the Building Inspection Department for any work being done in Florence County. Obtaining the permit is the responsibility of the person doing the work." It also tells owners: "If a contractor requests that you get the permit, PLEASE DON'T. The contractor may not be properly bonded, licensed, qualified, or want to be responsible for their work." The County Code does not list permit work itself; Section 7-11 brings in the administration chapter of the 2021 South Carolina Residential Code, and the Department has published no exemption for roof covering replacement. Apply through the County's online permitting portal or at 518 South Irby Street, Florence (843-676-8600). State law requires the permit office to see evidence of the contractor's Residential Builders Commission registration or licence, or of an exemption, before it issues the permit. The permit fee schedule the County links doubles the fees where permit work is started before the permit is obtained. Confirm with the Department that the property is in its jurisdiction; the County lists the City of Johnsonville and the Towns of Olanta, Quinby, Scranton, Timmonsville and Pamplico as consolidated with it for building.
Inspection requirements
The Department's published list of required building inspections is: foundation; pier and curtain wall; floor slab and floor framing; exterior wall before covering; wall tie (brick veneer); frame, "To be made after the roof, all framing, fireblocking and bracing is in place"; and final, "To be made after the building is completed and ready for occupancy." The list names no separate roof-covering inspection. "It is important that contractors understand that it is their responsibility to call and request required inspections", at 843-676-8600; "Requested inspections will be conducted within 48 hours of the request."
Adopted code
Florence County Code Section 7-11, Building code administration (last amended by Ord. No. 45-2022/23, 12-8-22), provides that administration "shall be as set forth in the following referenced standards", listing "The 2021 South Carolina Residential Code®, Chapter 1, Scope and Administration" together with the 2021 South Carolina Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Fire and Existing Building Codes, the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2020 National Electric Code. At the state level, S.C. Code Section 6-9-10(A) requires every county to enforce the building codes the Building Codes Council adopts and provides that "The municipality or county shall enforce only the national building and safety codes provided in this chapter." The 2021 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications (S.C. Code of Regulations 8-1200 et seq.) is the mandatory state residential code for permits applied for before January 1, 2027, the date the Building Codes Council set for local jurisdictions to implement the 2024 edition with South Carolina modifications (State Register Vol. 50, Issue 5, May 22, 2026). The Council's list of approved local modifications carries no modification for Florence County. The one South Carolina change to the roofing chapter replaces the drip-edge section: "A drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of asphalt shingle roofs where required by the manufacturer." (Reg. 8-1228, IRC Section R905.2.8.5.) The County's building chapter (Chapter 7, read in full) contains no roofing provision of its own. The residential plan-review sheet in the County's current building permit application packet (Form BL-2025-01) carries this note under Section R905.2.2: "30lb felt will be required for roof pitches from 2:12 to 4:12, slopes greater than 4:12 will only require 15 lb." That sheet is a plan-review checklist, not an ordinance.
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither Florence County's building chapter (Chapter 7, including Section 7-11 adopting the administration chapters of the 2021 South Carolina codes) nor the South Carolina modifications to the 2021 International Residential Code amends the roofing chapter's impact provisions, and the Building Codes Council lists no approved local modification for the County; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the County's adopted code or its amendments.
Repair permit threshold
Florence County publishes no roofing threshold of its own. Its building chapter (Chapter 7 of the County Code, read in full) names no roof work either way and sets no dollar, area or percentage line; Section 7-11 applies the administration chapters of the 2021 South Carolina codes, including "The 2021 South Carolina Residential Code®, Chapter 1, Scope and Administration", which carries the permit and exemption sections of the residential code (Section R105); they are not restated here. The Department's Building Permits page answers "Who needs a building permit?" with "Any person, firm or corporation desiring to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any building or structure", and says "The building permit fee is based on total cost and is paid prior to the issuance of the building permit." The permit fee schedule linked from the County's Fees page prices permits by total valuation and has no separate roofing line.
Wind design criteria
Florence County's building chapter carries no wind table of its own. The South Carolina modification to the 2021 International Residential Code (Reg. 8-1202, Section R301.2.1) provides that "Buildings and portions thereof shall be constructed in accordance with the previously published maps by the South Carolina Building Codes Council", and that the local building official "may delineate the wind design category within their jurisdiction provided that it does not surpass those provided on the Applied Technology Council (ATC) website." The Council's wind and seismic map for Florence County, approved for the 2021 code cycle and drawn on the 2015 International Residential Code basis, draws a single 130 mph wind line across the southeastern part of the County, passing east of Pamplico and Lake City and west of Johnsonville, and prints no other wind line inside the County. Its note reads: "Wind speed, shown in miles per hour, applies at all points along the length of its corresponding (blue) line. Interpolation between wind speed lines is determined by the AHJ as permitted by Figure R301.2(4)(A) of the 2015 International Residential Code." Ask the Department for the design wind speed at a given address. The County's residential permit application (Form BL-2025-01) separately calls for a design professional for work in "the 110 mph wind" area of the County without mapping that area; the two figures are not reconciled here and may be stated on different design bases.
Roof layer limit / recover
Two layers maximum. The 2021 International Residential Code, Section R908.3.1.1 Roof recover not allowed, bars a roof recover "Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering", as well as where the existing roof or covering is water soaked or deteriorated to the point it is not an adequate base, or is slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. The South Carolina modifications to the 2021 IRC do not change the reroofing section, and Florence County's building chapter (Chapter 7, read in full) adds no reroofing rule of its own, so the base rule applies unmodified.
Deck & sheathing requirements
Florence County applies the 2021 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications. Neither the County's building chapter (Chapter 7, read in full) nor the South Carolina modifications amend the roof sheathing provisions (Section R803), so the base IRC provisions on roof sheathing apply unmodified.
Sales & use tax
8% in unincorporated Florence County and in every municipality the South Carolina Department of Revenue lists in Florence County: 6% state sales tax plus the 1% Florence County Capital Projects tax (code 1021) and the 1% Local Option tax, per SCDOR form ST-575, South Carolina Sales Tax Rate by Municipality (Rev. 2/5/26). South Carolina taxes the roofer, not the homeowner's contract: Reg. 117-314.2 provides that building materials "when purchased by builders, contractors, or landowners for use in adding to, repairing or altering real property are subject to either the sales or use tax at the time of purchase", and its list of building materials names "roofing materials". Repair and replacement work are treated alike.

More roof permit pages in South Carolina

Unincorporated Georgetown County, SCRoof permit Unincorporated Greenville County, SCRoof permit Unincorporated Greenwood County, SCRoof permit Unincorporated Horry County, SCRoof permit Unincorporated Jasper County, SCRoof permit Roofing in South CarolinaState hub

Related guides

Denver-Metro Roofing Permits Filing a Hail Insurance Claim Colorado Hail Season Prep Hiring a Contractor

The Florence County Building Inspection Department, part of the County's Planning Department at 518 South Irby Street in Florence, issues building permits and makes the required inspections for work in unincorporated Florence County. The County's Jurisdictions page lists the City of Johnsonville and the Towns of Olanta, Quinby, Scranton, Timmonsville and Pamplico as consolidated with the County for building. Other municipalities in the County, including the City of Florence, are not on that list, so confirm with the Department that a property is in its jurisdiction before applying.

Hail reports near the center of Florence County, SC

Reports, last 24 months
0
Largest, last 24 months
None
Most recent
None in 24 months
Reports, last 5 years
1
Most recent report, last 5 years
DateHail sizeDistance
May 15, 20241.00 in8 mi SSW

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database and daily storm reports (reports since the start of the current year are preliminary), within 10 miles of the center of Florence County, SC. Data through Sep 30, 2026. A report is an observation, not a damage record.

Working an insurance claim in Unincorporated Florence County, SC? Everything on this page (drip edge, ice & water shield, inspections, Class 4 rules) formatted as a claim-ready evidence pack: verbatim ordinance quotes, code section cites, verification dates, and official source links, ready to attach to a supplement. See a real sample pack (PDF, 4 pages, free).

Buy this jurisdiction's pack: $12 Delivered by email within minutes.

Questions about the Unincorporated Florence County, SC pack?

Not ready to buy, or need a different jurisdiction? Tell us and we’ll reply directly.

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Sources

Roofing questions: Unincorporated Florence County, SC

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Florence County, SC?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Florence County, SC. Florence County publishes no roofing threshold of its own. Its building chapter (Chapter 7 of the County Code, read in full) names no roof work either way and sets no dollar, area or percentage line; Section 7-11 applies the administration chapters of the 2021 South Carolina codes, including "The 2021 South Carolina Residential Code®, Chapter 1, Scope and Administration", which carries the permit and exemption sections of the residential code (Section R105); they are not restated here. The Department's Building Permits page answers "Who needs a building permit?" with "Any person, firm or corporation desiring to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, convert or demolish any building or structure", and says "The building permit fee is based on total cost and is paid prior to the issuance of the building permit." The permit fee schedule linked from the County's Fees page prices permits by total valuation and has no separate roofing line.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Unincorporated Florence County, SC?

Two layers maximum. The 2021 International Residential Code, Section R908.3.1.1 Roof recover not allowed, bars a roof recover "Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering", as well as where the existing roof or covering is water soaked or deteriorated to the point it is not an adequate base, or is slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. The South Carolina modifications to the 2021 IRC do not change the reroofing section, and Florence County's building chapter (Chapter 7, read in full) adds no reroofing rule of its own, so the base rule applies unmodified.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Unincorporated Florence County, SC?

Yes.

What building code does Unincorporated Florence County, SC use?

Florence County Code Section 7-11, Building code administration (last amended by Ord. No. 45-2022/23, 12-8-22), provides that administration "shall be as set forth in the following referenced standards", listing "The 2021 South Carolina Residential Code®, Chapter 1, Scope and Administration" together with the 2021 South Carolina Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Fire and Existing Building Codes, the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code and the 2020 National Electric Code. At the state level, S.C. Code Section 6-9-10(A) requires every county to enforce the building codes the Building Codes Council adopts and provides that "The municipality or county shall enforce only the national building and safety codes provided in this chapter." The 2021 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications (S.C. Code of Regulations 8-1200 et seq.) is the mandatory state residential code for permits applied for before January 1, 2027, the date the Building Codes Council set for local jurisdictions to implement the 2024 edition with South Carolina modifications (State Register Vol. 50, Issue 5, May 22, 2026). The Council's list of approved local modifications carries no modification for Florence County. The one South Carolina change to the roofing chapter replaces the drip-edge section: "A drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of asphalt shingle roofs where required by the manufacturer." (Reg. 8-1228, IRC Section R905.2.8.5.) The County's building chapter (Chapter 7, read in full) contains no roofing provision of its own. The residential plan-review sheet in the County's current building permit application packet (Form BL-2025-01) carries this note under Section R905.2.2: "30lb felt will be required for roof pitches from 2:12 to 4:12, slopes greater than 4:12 will only require 15 lb." That sheet is a plan-review checklist, not an ordinance.