The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Florence - Building & Permitting Department

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

Adopted code

City of Florence - Building & Permitting Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Florence, SC, issued by City of Florence - Building & Permitting Department. The Building & Permitting Department publishes no statement on reroofing either way; its page says it "is responsible for issuing permits and inspecting new and active construction" and that its services "also include additions and remodeling of structures." Apply on the City's Building and Trades Permit Application. As read on September 26, 2026, the page stated: "Our online permitting portal is currently unavailable. We are currently accepting applications in person or by email". The Planning Department's page states that "A Zoning Compliance Permit is required to obtain either a Building Permit from the Building Department, or a Business License from the Business License Department." 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 City's codes are "controlling within the limits of the city"; property outside the city limits is not permitted by this office. Call the Department (843-665-3151) before starting work to confirm the permit for your job.

Roof code checklist: Florence, SC

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesecode360.com2026-09-26
Repair permit thresholdPublishedecode360.com2026-09-26
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-09-26
Deck & sheathingPublishedR803ecode360.com2026-09-26
Drip edgeNot published
Ice & water shieldNoecode360.com2026-09-26
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoecode360.com2026-09-26
Wind design criteriaPublishedR301.2.1ecode360.com2026-09-26
Adopted codePublishedSec. 4-1ecode360.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
City of Florence, South Carolina
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
324 West Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501
Contact
  • url: https://www.cityofflorencesc.gov/building-department
  • phone: 843-665-3151
  • email: [email protected]
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, by 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). 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.
  • city_level: The City's New Contractor Information Form "is for new Contractors that will be conducting work in the City of Florence" and asks for the contractor's "SCLLR License #", adding: "If you do not have a SCLLR License number you will need to contact SCLLR at 803-896-4686 to obtain one." The Building and Trades Permit Application asks for the contractor's "License Number and Class" and "Business License Number", and carries an Owner-Builder Exemption section to be signed before a South Carolina notary and two witnesses. The City business licence (Chapter 13, Article I of the City Code) is a general business licence, not a contractor credential. The City's building chapter (Chapter 4 of the City Code, read in full) sets no contractor licence or registration of its own; Section 4-804 lets the City require a building permit applicant to post a bond of indemnity or file a public liability insurance policy "When the city shall so require".
Permit process note
The Building & Permitting Department publishes no statement on reroofing either way; its page says it "is responsible for issuing permits and inspecting new and active construction" and that its services "also include additions and remodeling of structures." Apply on the City's Building and Trades Permit Application. As read on September 26, 2026, the page stated: "Our online permitting portal is currently unavailable. We are currently accepting applications in person or by email". The Planning Department's page states that "A Zoning Compliance Permit is required to obtain either a Building Permit from the Building Department, or a Business License from the Business License Department." 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 City's codes are "controlling within the limits of the city"; property outside the city limits is not permitted by this office. Call the Department (843-665-3151) before starting work to confirm the permit for your job.
Adopted code
City of Florence Code Section 4-1, Technical codes adopted (Ord. No. 2017-06, 3-13-2017), adopts the "International Residential Code, as promulgated by the South Carolina Building Codes Council" with the other technical codes, naming no edition, and Section 4-801 recognizes the International Residential Code "as promulgated and as most recently adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council", including its Administrative Chapter 1. Section 4-805 amends the Residential Code only in its title (Section 101.1), its board of appeals section (R112), the City's Table 301.2(1) climatic and geographic design criteria, and a sewer-depth rule (Section 2603.5.1); it amends nothing in the roofing chapter. The Building Department's page lists the "2021 International Residential Code" among the adopted codes. At the state level, S.C. Code Section 6-9-10(A) 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 the City of Florence. 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.)
Ice & water shield
Not required — The City's amended Table 301.2(1), Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria (City Code Section 4-805, Ord. No. 2017-06), reads "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required - No." About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither the City of Florence's building chapter (Chapter 4 of the City Code, including Section 4-805, its amendments to the International Residential Code) 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 modification for the City; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the City's adopted code or its amendments.
Repair permit threshold
The City of Florence publishes no roofing threshold of its own. Section 4-801 of the City Code recognizes the International Residential Code "for the purpose of regulating and governing the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, location, removal and demolition" of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses "and providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor", and adopts its Administrative Chapter 1 without amending its permit or exemption sections. Neither the City's building chapter (Chapter 4, read in full) nor the Building Department's page names roof work either way, and the Department publishes no list of work exempt from permit. The City's Schedule of Fees is set by job value, with no roofing line: "$1,000 and less: No Fee unless inspection required. $15.00 each inspection." and "$1,000 to $50,000: $15.00 for the first $1,000 plus $5.00 for each Additional Thousand." When the valuation exceeds $1,000 "a plan examination fee shall be required. This fee shall total one-half the permit fee".
Wind design criteria
The City's amended Table 301.2(1), Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria (City Code Section 4-805, Ord. No. 2017-06), reads: "Wind Speed — 124—139 miles per hour. Topographic effects - No. Special wind region — As set forth in the International Residential Code. Wind-borne debris zone - No. Seismic Design Category - C." The table gives a range and does not say where in the City each figure applies. The South Carolina modification to the 2021 Residential Code's wind section (Reg. 8-1202, Section R301.2.1) provides 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", and that "Asphalt shingles shall be designed for wind speeds in accordance with Section R905.2.4." Confirm the design wind speed for the address with the Building Department.
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 Residential Code do not change the reroofing section, and the City of Florence's building chapter (Chapter 4 of the City Code, read in full) adds no reroofing rule of its own, so the base rule applies unmodified.
Deck & sheathing requirements
The City of Florence applies the 2021 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications. Neither the City's building chapter (Chapter 4 of the City Code, read in full) nor the South Carolina modifications amend the roof sheathing provisions (Section R803), so the base Residential Code provisions on roof sheathing apply unmodified.
Sales & use tax
8% in the City of Florence: the 6% state sales tax plus Florence County's Capital Projects tax (code 1021) and Local Option tax (code 2286), per SCDOR form ST-575, South Carolina Sales Tax Rate by Municipality (Rev. 2/5/26), which lists Florence in Florence County at a total tax rate of 8%. 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.

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The City of Florence Building & Permitting Department issues building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas and related permits and inspects construction inside the City of Florence, South Carolina. It works from the fourth floor of the City Center at 324 West Evans Street.

Hail reports near Florence, 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 10, 20241.00 in8 mi NW

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 Florence, SC (Census point). Data through Sep 30, 2026. A report is an observation, not a damage record.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Florence, SC

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Florence, SC. The City of Florence publishes no roofing threshold of its own. Section 4-801 of the City Code recognizes the International Residential Code "for the purpose of regulating and governing the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, location, removal and demolition" of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses "and providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor", and adopts its Administrative Chapter 1 without amending its permit or exemption sections. Neither the City's building chapter (Chapter 4, read in full) nor the Building Department's page names roof work either way, and the Department publishes no list of work exempt from permit. The City's Schedule of Fees is set by job value, with no roofing line: "$1,000 and less: No Fee unless inspection required. $15.00 each inspection." and "$1,000 to $50,000: $15.00 for the first $1,000 plus $5.00 for each Additional Thousand." When the valuation exceeds $1,000 "a plan examination fee shall be required. This fee shall total one-half the permit fee".

Is ice & water shield required in Florence, SC?

No. The City's amended Table 301.2(1), Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria (City Code Section 4-805, Ord. No. 2017-06), reads "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required - No."

Can you roof over an existing roof in Florence, 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 Residential Code do not change the reroofing section, and the City of Florence's building chapter (Chapter 4 of the City Code, 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 Florence, SC?

Yes.

What building code does Florence, SC use?

City of Florence Code Section 4-1, Technical codes adopted (Ord. No. 2017-06, 3-13-2017), adopts the "International Residential Code, as promulgated by the South Carolina Building Codes Council" with the other technical codes, naming no edition, and Section 4-801 recognizes the International Residential Code "as promulgated and as most recently adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council", including its Administrative Chapter 1. Section 4-805 amends the Residential Code only in its title (Section 101.1), its board of appeals section (R112), the City's Table 301.2(1) climatic and geographic design criteria, and a sewer-depth rule (Section 2603.5.1); it amends nothing in the roofing chapter. The Building Department's page lists the "2021 International Residential Code" among the adopted codes. At the state level, S.C. Code Section 6-9-10(A) 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 the City of Florence. 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.)