The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Greenwood - Building Inspection Department

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

Adopted code

City of Greenwood - Building Inspection Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Greenwood, SC, issued by City of Greenwood - Building Inspection Department. The Department publishes no statement on reroofing either way; its Inspection Scheduling page says: "Permits are required before any work begins in the City of Greenwood. Obtaining a permit is the responsibility of the contractor, not the homeowner. The City of Greenwood will verify that the contractor is properly licensed, insured, and bonded prior to releasing permits, and will inspect the work for compliance with all adopted codes." Treat a reroof as permit work and confirm with the Building & Code Enforcement Office (864-942-8424) before starting. Apply, pay and request inspections through the CitizenServe portal; the Department's instructions say "You will be given a permit number and the fee amount required" and that the permit is issued once payment is confirmed. For work inside the City, the Permits page requires a state license issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and a City of Greenwood Business License. City Code Section 8-97(e) and the Schedule of Fees provide that where work for which a permit is required is started "prior to obtaining a permit, the fees shall be doubled". A re-inspection fee of $50.00 applies when work is not ready. The City has two historic overlay districts, Uptown Greenwood and Old Greenwood Village, where the City's New Business Assistance Guide says "exterior changes to buildings" must be presented to and approved by the Board of Architectural Review. 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.

Roof code checklist: Greenwood, SC

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYescityofgreenwoodsc.com2026-09-26
Repair permit thresholdPublishedcityofgreenwoodsc.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 criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 8-40library.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 Greenwood, South Carolina
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
1025 Deadfall Road East, Greenwood, SC 29649
Contact
  • url: https://www.cityofgreenwoodsc.com/departments/building_inspection/index.php
  • phone: 864-942-8424
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 with a surety in an amount approved by the commission" (Section 40-59-220). A residential builder, one who undertakes the "construction, repair, improvement, or reimprovement of a residential building or structure" 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, among its conditions, the owner "does the work himself, with his own employees, or with licensed contractors or registered entities or individuals", 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 checks the state credential and adds its business license. Its Permits page says: "To obtain a permit for work inside the City of Greenwood, you must hold a state license issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation and obtain a City of Greenwood Business License." A building permit application is accepted only with the "City business licenses for the contractor and all subcontractors if the job is within the City limits" and the "State licensing number for the contractor and all subcontractors as required by state law", and the Application for Greenwood City/County Building Permit asks for the contractor's "State Lic#" and "City Lic#". The Inspection Scheduling page adds that "The City of Greenwood will verify that the contractor is properly licensed, insured, and bonded prior to releasing permits." The City's business license (City Code Chapter 10, Article II) is a general business licence tax; the City Code sets no contractor licence or registration of its own for roofing.
Permit process note
The Department publishes no statement on reroofing either way; its Inspection Scheduling page says: "Permits are required before any work begins in the City of Greenwood. Obtaining a permit is the responsibility of the contractor, not the homeowner. The City of Greenwood will verify that the contractor is properly licensed, insured, and bonded prior to releasing permits, and will inspect the work for compliance with all adopted codes." Treat a reroof as permit work and confirm with the Building & Code Enforcement Office (864-942-8424) before starting. Apply, pay and request inspections through the CitizenServe portal; the Department's instructions say "You will be given a permit number and the fee amount required" and that the permit is issued once payment is confirmed. For work inside the City, the Permits page requires a state license issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation and a City of Greenwood Business License. City Code Section 8-97(e) and the Schedule of Fees provide that where work for which a permit is required is started "prior to obtaining a permit, the fees shall be doubled". A re-inspection fee of $50.00 applies when work is not ready. The City has two historic overlay districts, Uptown Greenwood and Old Greenwood Village, where the City's New Business Assistance Guide says "exterior changes to buildings" must be presented to and approved by the Board of Architectural Review. 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.
Adopted code
City of Greenwood Code Section 8-40 (last amended by Ord. No. 23-002, February 27, 2023) adopts by reference "The most recent published editions as adopted by the state building codes council" of the required codes, including the "International Residential Code with state modifications (including chapter 1)". The Department's Building Codes page states that "The City of Greenwood enforces the following Codes: 2021 International Building Code (with modifications)" and links the South Carolina statewide modifications, and the Greenwood City/County Building and Codes Department's Residential Checklist "reflects the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code". 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 modification for the City of Greenwood. 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 City's building chapter (Chapter 8, read in full, codified through Ord. No. 25-019, September 15, 2025) contains no roofing provision of its own apart from its property maintenance rule that temporary roof coverings due to storm damage, deterioration, repair work or renovation "are permitted for a maximum of 90 days"; none of the City's ordinances pending codification amends Chapter 8.
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither the City of Greenwood's building chapter (City Code Chapter 8, adopting the International Residential Code with state modifications) 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 Greenwood publishes no roofing threshold of its own. The Department's Inspection Scheduling page states: "Permits are required before any work begins in the City of Greenwood." City Code Section 8-40 adopts "The most recent published editions as adopted by the state building codes council" of the "International Residential Code with state modifications (including chapter 1)", and the City's building chapter (Chapter 8, read in full) amends none of the Residential Code's permit or exemption sections and names no roof work either way. The Department's Schedule of Fees (August 2026) has no roofing line: for alterations and repairs "The value shall be determined by the total estimated value of the work covered by the permit provided by the applicant at the time of application", with a fee of "$30.00" for "$1,000 or less" and, from $1,001 to $50,000, "$30 for first $1,000" "plus $5 for each additional thousand or fraction".
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 Greenwood's building chapter (City Code Chapter 8, read in full) adds no reroofing rule of its own, so the base rule applies unmodified.
Deck & sheathing requirements
The City of Greenwood applies the 2021 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications. Neither the City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 8, 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
7% in the City of Greenwood: 6% state sales tax plus the 1% Greenwood County capital projects tax (CP, code 1024), 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 Greenwood, South CarolinaCity hub

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The City of Greenwood's Building Inspection Department, which publishes its forms as the Greenwood City/County Building Department, provides plan reviews, permitting and inspections for new construction, remodeling and additions inside the City of Greenwood, and its Building Official's duties include providing countywide inspections. Permit applications, inspection requests and payments go through the Department's CitizenServe portal. Unincorporated Greenwood County is covered by a separate record.

Hail reports near Greenwood, SC

Reports, last 24 months
1
Largest, last 24 months
1.00 in Apr 23, 2025
Most recent
Apr 23, 2025 1.00 in
Reports, last 5 years
2
2 most recent reports, last 5 years
DateHail sizeDistance
Apr 23, 20251.00 in1 mi S
Sep 7, 20231.25 in7 mi NE

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

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Sources

Roofing questions: Greenwood, SC

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Greenwood, SC. The City of Greenwood publishes no roofing threshold of its own. The Department's Inspection Scheduling page states: "Permits are required before any work begins in the City of Greenwood." City Code Section 8-40 adopts "The most recent published editions as adopted by the state building codes council" of the "International Residential Code with state modifications (including chapter 1)", and the City's building chapter (Chapter 8, read in full) amends none of the Residential Code's permit or exemption sections and names no roof work either way. The Department's Schedule of Fees (August 2026) has no roofing line: for alterations and repairs "The value shall be determined by the total estimated value of the work covered by the permit provided by the applicant at the time of application", with a fee of "$30.00" for "$1,000 or less" and, from $1,001 to $50,000, "$30 for first $1,000" "plus $5 for each additional thousand or fraction".

Can you roof over an existing roof in Greenwood, 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 Greenwood's building chapter (City Code Chapter 8, 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 Greenwood, SC?

Yes.

What building code does Greenwood, SC use?

City of Greenwood Code Section 8-40 (last amended by Ord. No. 23-002, February 27, 2023) adopts by reference "The most recent published editions as adopted by the state building codes council" of the required codes, including the "International Residential Code with state modifications (including chapter 1)". The Department's Building Codes page states that "The City of Greenwood enforces the following Codes: 2021 International Building Code (with modifications)" and links the South Carolina statewide modifications, and the Greenwood City/County Building and Codes Department's Residential Checklist "reflects the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code". 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 modification for the City of Greenwood. 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 City's building chapter (Chapter 8, read in full, codified through Ord. No. 25-019, September 15, 2025) contains no roofing provision of its own apart from its property maintenance rule that temporary roof coverings due to storm damage, deterioration, repair work or renovation "are permitted for a maximum of 90 days"; none of the City's ordinances pending codification amends Chapter 8.