South Carolina, Edgefield County Roofing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas

Edgefield County Building & Planning Department

The Edgefield County Department of Building & Planning is the primary authority responsible for the enforcement of adopted building codes and ordinances, including the issuance of building permits and the conduct of inspections. This department oversees construction and development activities within the county, including unincorporated areas, and also provides these services for the Towns of Edgefield, Johnston, and Trenton.

Permit Requirements for Unincorporated Areas

In Edgefield County, including unincorporated areas, a building permit is required prior to the commencement of any construction, alteration, or repair work. While specific minor repairs may sometimes be exempt in various jurisdictions, it is standard practice in Edgefield County to require permits for significant structural work. Property owners or their contractors must submit a completed building permit application and necessary construction documents to the Building & Planning Department at least seven days prior to the requested permit issuance date.

Key requirements and considerations include:

Application Process: Applications and plans must be submitted to the department for review to ensure compliance with the International Residential Code (IRC) and other applicable laws.
Licensed Contractors: It is against South Carolina state law to hire unlicensed craftsmen. If a contractor is used, they must be licensed by the State of South Carolina and on file with the Building Department.
Owner-Builder Projects: If a property owner chooses to perform work themselves, they must still obtain the required permits. A notarized disclosure statement may be required to be recorded at the RMC Office in the Courthouse.
Inspections: A series of inspections is required throughout the project. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to schedule these inspections with the building department at least 24 hours in advance.
Penalties: Failure to obtain a permit prior to starting work can result in significant consequences, including the doubling of permit fees.

Resources to Learn More

Note: The following state-wide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within South Carolina, including Edgefield County.

South Carolina Roofing Legislation, Codes, and Guidelines

State Statutes and Adopted Building Codes

In South Carolina, building construction and safety standards are governed by statewide building codes adopted by the South Carolina Building Codes Council. These codes are based on the model codes published by the International Code Council (ICC), which the state adopts periodically with specific South Carolina amendments. As of the most recent major adoption cycle, the state utilizes the 2021 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). Roofing requirements are specifically addressed within these codes—Chapter 15 of the IBC for commercial structures and Chapter 9 of the IRC for residential structures. These regulations establish minimum standards for roof assemblies, including materials, underlayment, flashing, fastening patterns, and wind resistance requirements.

Primary State Agency

The primary state body responsible for setting these standards is the South Carolina Building Codes Council, which operates under the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR). The Council is a statutory body established under Title 6, Chapter 9 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Its functions include adopting and modifying model building codes for statewide use, regulating the registration of building code enforcement officers, and overseeing the modular building program. While the Council sets the statewide minimum standards, local jurisdictions (counties and municipalities) are responsible for the enforcement, permitting, and inspection of roofing projects to ensure compliance with these codes.

Resources to Learn More

Select a City in Edgefield County

If your project is located within incorporated city limits, you will likely need to follow municipal ordinances rather than county rules. Select your city below to view local regulations.

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