Less is published than you might expect. None of the Midlands offices we checked posts a checklist for re-roof inspections. What they do publish is when roofing gets inspected and what code it is held to. The City of Columbia's inspections page lists roofing among work that needs a rough-in inspection before it is covered. The Town of Lexington's inspection sheet lists "Roofing, Flashing" as items at its framing inspection.
This post sticks to what official pages say. Where they are silent, the answer is to ask your office what your permit needs.
When roofing gets inspected
City of Columbia
"Rough-in Inspections are required for all work involving foundations, chimneys (masonry & prefab), fire stops, electrical, heating ducts and vents, plumbing, insulation, roofing and framing," per the inspections page. The next line is the important one: "Do not conceal any of these items until the rough-in and framing inspection is approved."
The page also says work may not go past an inspection point without a release from the previous inspection. Inspectors enter results in the City's Access portal after each step.
Town of Lexington
The Town's inspection sheet names roofing explicitly. Its framing inspection reads: "FRAMING: Framing & wall bracing; Columns; Sheathing, Vapor barrier, Roofing, Flashing." The sheet also requires a posted permit placard and approved plans on site.
Richland County
The County's residential inspection list has a pre-rough-in "Sheathing" inspection and a final inspection "once the work is complete," but no roofing line. It notes that inspections not needed for a project may be omitted. The County's department page says its inspectors hold ICC certifications and South Carolina building inspector licenses.
Lexington County, Irmo and Chapin
These offices don't publish an inspection sequence for roofing. Lexington County takes requests through its BluePrince portal, and CC&I handles inspections for Irmo and Chapin. Ask when the permit is issued.
Each office's process is in our Midlands roof permits hub, with separate guides for Columbia and the Town of Lexington.
What code the inspector holds the roof to
South Carolina's 2021 codes took effect January 1, 2023, per the Building Codes Council. They include the 2021 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications. Columbia, the Town of Lexington, West Columbia and Cayce all list the 2021 South Carolina codes on their sites.
One South Carolina change is specific to shingle roofs. The state's 2021 code modifications rewrite IRC Section R905.2.8.5 to read: "A drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of asphalt shingle roofs where required by the manufacturer." That ties the inspection to the shingle maker's installation instructions on that point.
A change is coming. Columbia's building codes page says the City will adopt the 2024 editions effective January 1, 2027. Permit requests submitted after December 31, 2026 will follow them. Ask your roofer which edition your permit falls under if the job straddles the new year.
What a failed inspection costs
Offices publish re-inspection fees, and they add up. These are quoted from each office's own page or schedule:
Published re-inspection fees (checked October 2026)
| Office | Re-inspection fee as published | Source |
|---|---|---|
| City of Columbia | $30 fee for failing the first re-inspection; $50 for any additional failed re-inspections on the same request | Inspections |
| Town of Lexington | Start at $58.40 and increase when multiple re-inspections are required | Inspection sheet |
| Lexington County | First inspection: no fee. Each additional re-inspection: $60.00. Inspection not ready/work is incomplete: $60.00 | Fee schedule, effective 7/1/2026 |
| Irmo (CC&I) | $75.00 for 2nd and subsequent inspections | Irmo fee schedule |
| Chapin (CC&I) | $53.00 for 2nd and subsequent inspections | Chapin fee schedule |
Lexington County's "not ready" line is worth noting. Calling for an inspection before the work is ready costs the same as failing one. Ask your roofer who pays re-inspection fees, and put it in the contract.
Who books the inspection
Normally the contractor. Columbia's inspections page says it is "the responsibility of the Contractor or his agent to request all building inspections." Licensed contractors use the Access portal. Its cut-off is 3:00 p.m. for the next day. In Richland County the permit holder calls (803) 576-2140, option 2. In the Town of Lexington it is a voicemail at (803) 358-7267.
Questions to ask your roofer
- "Which inspections does this permit require, and at what stage?"
- "Will the inspector see the decking and underlayment before shingles go on, or only the finished roof?"
- "Who pays if an inspection fails or the work isn't ready?"
- "Can I have the permit number and a copy of the final result?"
An inspection is an independent check, not a warranty. It confirms the work met the code the office enforces on the day. For what else to keep after a new roof, see our new roof aftercare guide. If you want a second opinion on a roof, Cola City Roofing can take a look; contact us here.
