The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Gaffney - Community Development Department

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

Adopted code

City of Gaffney - Community Development Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Gaffney, SC, issued by City of Gaffney - Community Development Department. Apply to the City of Gaffney Community Development Department, second floor of City Hall, 201 N. Limestone Street, Gaffney (864-487-8500; City Hall hours Monday through Thursday 8:15 am to 5:15 pm and Friday 8:15 am to 12:30 pm), on the City's Building Permit Application, which asks for the applicant's "SC LLR License Number", the project type, a Description of Work that includes a "Roofing" option, the cost of the project and the scope of work. The application notes: "A copy of signed contract or quote to verify cost and scope of project may be required." and "The fee is doubled when a permit is not obtained prior to commencement of work." The City's FAQ says to submit the completed form with the related fees, by emailing it to the Permit Clerk or by bringing it to City Hall. The City publishes no statement on reroofing and no roofing inspection procedure; the Guidelines say "Please contact our office to determine whether a permit is required for the project before beginning work." 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; an owner doing the work under the state exemption signs the City's Disclosure Statement and files notice with the County Register of Deeds. Failed inspections are followed by a re-inspection fee of "$50/hour for re-inspection; 2-hour minimum", and a permit "becomes void after 180 days of inactivity on the project".

Roof code checklist: Gaffney, SC

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYescityofgaffney-sc.gov2026-09-30
Repair permit thresholdPublishedcityofgaffney-sc.gov2026-09-30
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedlibrary.municode.com2026-09-30
Deck & sheathingPublishedR803library.municode.com2026-09-30
Drip edgeNot published
Ice & water shieldNot published
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNolibrary.municode.com2026-09-30
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 6-2library.municode.com2026-09-30
Contractor license / registrationYesscstatehouse.gov2026-09-30
Sales & use taxPublishedST575.pdf2026-09-30

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 Gaffney, South Carolina
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
201 N. Limestone Street, Gaffney, SC 29340
Contact
  • url: https://www.cityofgaffney-sc.gov/169/Community-Development
  • phone: 864-487-8500
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(7)), 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(D)). A residential builder, one who constructs or superintends 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(6) 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 other conditions of that section are met, and Section 40-59-270 states that the chapter "does not apply to a person licensed under Chapter 11" for that work.
  • city_level: Gaffney Municipal Code Section 6-7 provides: "Anyone acquiring a permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter must be properly licensed and approved by the City of Gaffney for the work that is to be performed. All contractors performing work in the City of Gaffney (regardless of permit requirements) must also have a City of Gaffney business license." For residential permits it provides that "A specialty contractor can acquire a residential permit for his license classification up to $5,000.00. If the job is over $5,000.00 the specialty contractor must have a bond on file with the state", and that "A homeowner can acquire any permit for their primary residence if they are doing the work themselves, or hiring licensed contractors", after signing a disclosure statement that is notarized and recorded at the courthouse and then presented to the City. The City's Building Permit Application asks the applicant for an "SC LLR License Number" and its expiration date. The City business licence is an occupational licence and is described here for the roofer's information.
Permit process note
Apply to the City of Gaffney Community Development Department, second floor of City Hall, 201 N. Limestone Street, Gaffney (864-487-8500; City Hall hours Monday through Thursday 8:15 am to 5:15 pm and Friday 8:15 am to 12:30 pm), on the City's Building Permit Application, which asks for the applicant's "SC LLR License Number", the project type, a Description of Work that includes a "Roofing" option, the cost of the project and the scope of work. The application notes: "A copy of signed contract or quote to verify cost and scope of project may be required." and "The fee is doubled when a permit is not obtained prior to commencement of work." The City's FAQ says to submit the completed form with the related fees, by emailing it to the Permit Clerk or by bringing it to City Hall. The City publishes no statement on reroofing and no roofing inspection procedure; the Guidelines say "Please contact our office to determine whether a permit is required for the project before beginning work." 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; an owner doing the work under the state exemption signs the City's Disclosure Statement and files notice with the County Register of Deeds. Failed inspections are followed by a re-inspection fee of "$50/hour for re-inspection; 2-hour minimum", and a permit "becomes void after 180 days of inactivity on the project".
Adopted code
Gaffney Municipal Code Section 6-2 (last amended by Ord. No. 2022-15, January 9, 2023) adopts "The latest editions as adopted by the State of South Carolina" of the International Residential Code and the other International Codes, and adopts "Chapter 1 of all International Codes referenced", except the provisions "concerning qualification, removal, and dismissal for all building officials" and those on "the composition and procedures of a board of adjustments and appeals". Section 6-2(b) provides that "Permits issued by the City of Gaffney are required before any construction or other work is commenced on any property within the city, unless said construction or work is specifically exempted from the permit requirement by the provisions of this Municipal Code, or the laws of South Carolina or the United States." The City's Guidelines for Plan Review and Permits (Community Development Department, effective January 30, 2023, revised March 10, 2023) list "2021 - International Residential Code with SC modifications". At the state level, S.C. Code Section 6-9-10(A) requires every municipality 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 roofing modification for Gaffney. 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.) Gaffney's Chapter 6 (Articles I through III, read in full on September 30, 2026 as codified on Municode through Ord. No. 2022-15, Supplement No. 6) contains no roofing provision and does not reproduce a Table R301.2(1). Ordinance No. 2026-5 (second reading February 9, 2026) replaced Section 6-3 with a provision that fees "shall be set from time to time by City Council" and changed nothing else in Chapter 6; that ordinance is not yet reflected in the codified text. Ordinances enacted after January 9, 2023 other than Ordinance No. 2026-5 were not read.
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither Gaffney's Chapter 6 (Buildings and Building Regulations, read in full as codified through Ord. No. 2022-15) nor Ordinance No. 2026-5 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 roofing modification for the City; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the City's adopted code or the amendments read.
Repair permit threshold
Gaffney publishes no roofing-specific threshold. Its Building Permit Application (Last Updated 8/24/2026) lists "Roofing" as a Description of Work option, and Section 6-2(b) of the Municipal Code requires a City permit "before any construction or other work is commenced on any property within the city" unless the work is "specifically exempted". The codified Section 6-3(b) (Supplement No. 6) said "No fee or permit is required if: (1) Project cost is less than $1,000.00. (2) No inspection is required." Ordinance No. 2026-5 (second reading February 9, 2026) then replaced Section 6-3 in its entirety with a provision that fees are set by City Council, and the City's fee schedule effective March 1, 2026 lists a building permit fee of "$40" for a project cost "Under $1,000". The City's Guidelines for Plan Review and Permits (revised March 10, 2023) say: "Permits are required for most projects. However, no permit is required if the work is under a designated dollar amount and no inspection is required on the project. Please contact our office to determine whether a permit is required for the project before beginning work." The Guidelines name no dollar amount. Building permit fees are figured from the cost of the project: "$1,000 - $49,999" is "$40 for first $1K, then $8.50 for each thousand/fraction". Work started before the permit is obtained is charged at double the normal fee (the fee schedule lists "Working without Permit" at "Double the Normal Fee").
Roof layer limit / recover
Gaffney's Chapter 6 (read in full as codified through Ord. No. 2022-15, January 9, 2023) adds no reroofing rule of its own, and the South Carolina modifications to the 2021 International Residential Code do not change the reroofing section of the roofing chapter. Ordinance No. 2026-5 amended only the fee section of Chapter 6 after that codification, and ordinances enacted after January 9, 2023 other than Ordinance No. 2026-5 were not read, so this record states no layer limit for Gaffney.
Deck & sheathing requirements
Gaffney applies the 2021 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications. Neither Gaffney's Chapter 6 (read in full as codified through Ord. No. 2022-15) nor Ordinance No. 2026-5 nor the South Carolina modifications amend the roof sheathing provisions (Section R803); ordinances enacted after January 9, 2023 other than Ordinance No. 2026-5 were not read.
Sales & use tax
8% in the City of Gaffney: 6% state sales tax plus the 1% Education Capital Improvement tax (code 5111) and the 1% Local Option tax (code 2330), per SCDOR form ST-575, South Carolina Sales Tax Rate by Municipality (Rev. 2/5/26), which lists Gaffney in Cherokee County at a total 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 by such builder, contractor, or landowner", and its list of building materials names "roofing materials". Repair and replacement work are treated alike.

Local roofing hub

Roofing in Gaffney, South CarolinaCity hub

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The City of Gaffney Community Development Department takes building permit applications, collects permit fees and makes building inspections for property inside the City of Gaffney, South Carolina, under Chapter 6 of the Gaffney Municipal Code. Property outside the city limits is not in this office's jurisdiction; confirm the property is inside the city before applying.

Hail reports near Gaffney, SC

Reports, last 24 months
1
Largest, last 24 months
1.00 in May 20, 2025
Most recent
May 20, 2025 1.00 in
Reports, last 5 years
5
5 most recent reports, last 5 years
DateHail sizeDistance
May 20, 20251.00 in2 mi SE
Oct 20, 20231.50 in7 mi NNW
Jun 26, 20230.75 in7 mi NNW
May 26, 20221.00 in7 mi NE
May 4, 20221.25 in7 mi E

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

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Sources

Roofing questions: Gaffney, SC

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Gaffney, SC. Gaffney publishes no roofing-specific threshold. Its Building Permit Application (Last Updated 8/24/2026) lists "Roofing" as a Description of Work option, and Section 6-2(b) of the Municipal Code requires a City permit "before any construction or other work is commenced on any property within the city" unless the work is "specifically exempted". The codified Section 6-3(b) (Supplement No. 6) said "No fee or permit is required if: (1) Project cost is less than $1,000.00. (2) No inspection is required." Ordinance No. 2026-5 (second reading February 9, 2026) then replaced Section 6-3 in its entirety with a provision that fees are set by City Council, and the City's fee schedule effective March 1, 2026 lists a building permit fee of "$40" for a project cost "Under $1,000". The City's Guidelines for Plan Review and Permits (revised March 10, 2023) say: "Permits are required for most projects. However, no permit is required if the work is under a designated dollar amount and no inspection is required on the project. Please contact our office to determine whether a permit is required for the project before beginning work." The Guidelines name no dollar amount. Building permit fees are figured from the cost of the project: "$1,000 - $49,999" is "$40 for first $1K, then $8.50 for each thousand/fraction". Work started before the permit is obtained is charged at double the normal fee (the fee schedule lists "Working without Permit" at "Double the Normal Fee").

Can you roof over an existing roof in Gaffney, SC?

Gaffney's Chapter 6 (read in full as codified through Ord. No. 2022-15, January 9, 2023) adds no reroofing rule of its own, and the South Carolina modifications to the 2021 International Residential Code do not change the reroofing section of the roofing chapter. Ordinance No. 2026-5 amended only the fee section of Chapter 6 after that codification, and ordinances enacted after January 9, 2023 other than Ordinance No. 2026-5 were not read, so this record states no layer limit for Gaffney.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Gaffney, SC?

Yes.

What building code does Gaffney, SC use?

Gaffney Municipal Code Section 6-2 (last amended by Ord. No. 2022-15, January 9, 2023) adopts "The latest editions as adopted by the State of South Carolina" of the International Residential Code and the other International Codes, and adopts "Chapter 1 of all International Codes referenced", except the provisions "concerning qualification, removal, and dismissal for all building officials" and those on "the composition and procedures of a board of adjustments and appeals". Section 6-2(b) provides that "Permits issued by the City of Gaffney are required before any construction or other work is commenced on any property within the city, unless said construction or work is specifically exempted from the permit requirement by the provisions of this Municipal Code, or the laws of South Carolina or the United States." The City's Guidelines for Plan Review and Permits (Community Development Department, effective January 30, 2023, revised March 10, 2023) list "2021 - International Residential Code with SC modifications". At the state level, S.C. Code Section 6-9-10(A) requires every municipality 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 roofing modification for Gaffney. 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.) Gaffney's Chapter 6 (Articles I through III, read in full on September 30, 2026 as codified on Municode through Ord. No. 2022-15, Supplement No. 6) contains no roofing provision and does not reproduce a Table R301.2(1). Ordinance No. 2026-5 (second reading February 9, 2026) replaced Section 6-3 with a provision that fees "shall be set from time to time by City Council" and changed nothing else in Chapter 6; that ordinance is not yet reflected in the codified text. Ordinances enacted after January 9, 2023 other than Ordinance No. 2026-5 were not read.