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Permitting Authorities / City of Greenville - Building Codes and Permit Center

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

Adopted code

City of Greenville - Building Codes and Permit Center

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Greenville, SC, issued by City of Greenville - Building Codes and Permit Center. The Building Codes and Permit Center publishes no statement on reroofing either way. Its "Do You Need A Permit?" page does not list roofing among the work exempt from permit, and its only relief for repairs reads: "Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures". The City's Building Permit Application is the form "used when applying for any residential or commercial permit to do building-related work", and the City prefers online submittal through its Online Permit Service Center, where permit holders schedule inspections. 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. Property outside the city limits is permitted by Greenville County. Call the Center (864-467-4505) before starting work to confirm the permit for your job.

Roof code checklist: Greenville, SC

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYeslibrary.municode.com2026-09-26
Repair permit thresholdPublishedgreenvillesc.gov2026-09-26
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-09-26
Deck & sheathingPublishedR803library.municode.com2026-09-26
Drip edgeNot published
Ice & water shieldNolibrary.municode.com2026-09-26
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNolibrary.municode.com2026-09-26
Wind design criteriaPublishedR301.2.1library.municode.com2026-09-26
Adopted codePublishedSec. 6-1library.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
City of Greenville, South Carolina
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
204 Halton Rd, Greenville, SC 29607
Contact
  • url: https://www.greenvillesc.gov/building-permit-center
  • phone: 864-467-4505
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, 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 Building Permit Application asks for the contractor's "State License Agency", with the choice of the South Carolina Contractors' Licensing Board or the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission, and the "State License Classification" and "State License Number". For owners doing their own work it states: "Homeowner exemption form must be completed and Disclosure Statement filed with the County Register of Deeds. All persons hired to perform work must be properly licensed by the Residential Builders Commission or Contractor’s Licensing Board and have a current City of Greenville business license." The City business licence is a general business licence, not a contractor credential. The City's State License Exemption Request for Homeowners must be filed at the Greenville County Register of Deeds before the City will accept it. The City's building chapter (Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances, read in full) sets no contractor licence or registration of its own; Section 6-805 lets the City require a 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 Codes and Permit Center publishes no statement on reroofing either way. Its "Do You Need A Permit?" page does not list roofing among the work exempt from permit, and its only relief for repairs reads: "Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures". The City's Building Permit Application is the form "used when applying for any residential or commercial permit to do building-related work", and the City prefers online submittal through its Online Permit Service Center, where permit holders schedule inspections. 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. Property outside the city limits is permitted by Greenville County. Call the Center (864-467-4505) before starting work to confirm the permit for your job.
Adopted code
City of Greenville Code of Ordinances Section 6-1, Technical codes adopted (as amended by Ord. No. 2022-81, 11-28-2022), adopts the "2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1" (the administrative chapter) with the other 2021 codes, and Section 6-801 recognizes the International Residential Code "as promulgated by the state building codes council". Section 6-806 amends the Residential Code only in its title (Section 101.1), 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 City's Building & Permit Center page states: "As of January 1, 2023, the 2021 Building Codes are now adopted for enforcement". 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 roofing modification for the City of Greenville (its one Greenville entry, a radon appendix, is for Greenville 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.)
Ice & water shield
Not required — The City's amended Table 301.2(1), Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria (City Code Section 6-806, as amended by Ord. No. 2022-81), reads "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required - No." About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither the City of Greenville's building chapter (Chapter 6, including Section 6-806, 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 roofing 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 Greenville publishes no roofing threshold of its own. Its building chapter (Chapter 6, read in full) adopts the administrative chapter of the 2021 International Residential Code without amending its permit or exemption sections, and names no roof work either way. The Building Codes and Permit Center's "Do You Need A Permit?" page lists the building work exempt from permit (small detached accessory structures, fences, low retaining walls, water tanks, sidewalks and driveways, "Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work", small pools, playground equipment, window awnings and small detached decks), and roofing is not on that list. Under "Repairs" it states: "Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures, replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles." That page does not define "ordinary repairs", sets no dollar, area or percentage limit, and says nothing about reroofing. The building permit fee is set by job value, from "$45.00" for a job of "$ 0 – 2,000.00", with no separate roofing line.
Wind design criteria
The City's amended Table 301.2(1), Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria (City Code Section 6-806, as amended by Ord. No. 2022-81), reads: "Roof Snow Load - Ten pounds. Wind Speed - 105 miles per hour. Topographic effects - No. Special wind region - No. Wind-borne debris zone - No. Seismic Design Category - B." 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."
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 Greenville's building chapter (Chapter 6, read in full) adds no reroofing rule of its own, so the base rule applies unmodified.
Deck & sheathing requirements
The City of Greenville applies the 2021 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications. Neither the City's building chapter (Chapter 6, 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
6% in the City of Greenville: the 6% state sales tax, with no local sales tax imposed ("No Local Tax Imposed" for Greenville in Greenville County), 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.

Local roofing hub

Roofing in Greenville, South CarolinaCity hub

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The City of Greenville Building Codes and Permit Center issues building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits and makes the inspections for work inside the City of Greenville, South Carolina, through the City's Online Permit Service Center. Property in unincorporated Greenville County is permitted by Greenville County, not by this office.

Hail reports near Greenville, SC

Reports, last 24 months
5
Largest, last 24 months
1.00 in Aug 11, 2026
Most recent
Aug 11, 2026 1.00 in
Reports, last 5 years
25
5 most recent reports, last 5 years
DateHail sizeDistance
Aug 11, 20261.00 in9 mi NE
Jun 25, 20251.00 in5 mi N
Jun 25, 20251.00 in9 mi SSE
Jun 25, 20250.88 in4 mi SSE
Apr 26, 20251.00 in8 mi ESE

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

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Sources

Roofing questions: Greenville, SC

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Greenville, SC. The City of Greenville publishes no roofing threshold of its own. Its building chapter (Chapter 6, read in full) adopts the administrative chapter of the 2021 International Residential Code without amending its permit or exemption sections, and names no roof work either way. The Building Codes and Permit Center's "Do You Need A Permit?" page lists the building work exempt from permit (small detached accessory structures, fences, low retaining walls, water tanks, sidewalks and driveways, "Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work", small pools, playground equipment, window awnings and small detached decks), and roofing is not on that list. Under "Repairs" it states: "Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures, replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles." That page does not define "ordinary repairs", sets no dollar, area or percentage limit, and says nothing about reroofing. The building permit fee is set by job value, from "$45.00" for a job of "$ 0 – 2,000.00", with no separate roofing line.

Is ice & water shield required in Greenville, SC?

No. The City's amended Table 301.2(1), Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria (City Code Section 6-806, as amended by Ord. No. 2022-81), reads "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required - No."

Can you roof over an existing roof in Greenville, 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 Greenville's building chapter (Chapter 6, 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 Greenville, SC?

Yes.

What building code does Greenville, SC use?

City of Greenville Code of Ordinances Section 6-1, Technical codes adopted (as amended by Ord. No. 2022-81, 11-28-2022), adopts the "2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 1" (the administrative chapter) with the other 2021 codes, and Section 6-801 recognizes the International Residential Code "as promulgated by the state building codes council". Section 6-806 amends the Residential Code only in its title (Section 101.1), 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 City's Building & Permit Center page states: "As of January 1, 2023, the 2021 Building Codes are now adopted for enforcement". 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 roofing modification for the City of Greenville (its one Greenville entry, a radon appendix, is for Greenville 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.)