Richland County's Building Permitting office issues permits for homes in unincorporated Richland County. Its building permits page says that covers alteration and repair work, not just new construction. The County doesn't publish a rule that names re-roofing, so ask before work starts: call (803) 576-2140. In practice your roofer applies through the County's eTRAKiT portal and books the inspections.
This guide covers the County process: how to apply, what owners must bring, inspections, flood zones, fees, the business license and contacts. For the full list of Midlands offices, see our Midlands roof permits hub.
Is your home in unincorporated Richland County?
Only homes outside town limits use the County office. The City of Columbia, Forest Acres, Blythewood and Irmo run their own permitting. A home inside one of those towns goes to the town instead. Many homes with a "Columbia" mailing address are in the unincorporated county. If you aren't sure, call the permitting office; they will look up the parcel.
- Inside Columbia city limits: see our City of Columbia roof permit guide.
- Inside Forest Acres: see Forest Acres roof permits.
- Inside Irmo: permits come from CC&I Services. See our Irmo and Chapin guide.
Does a re-roof need a Richland County permit?
The County's building permits page lists the work it permits: new construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, moving or setting up a building, and removal or demolition. It does not single out roofing either way. Its first step for homeowners is to ask the Building Permitting office whether a permit is needed. That is the right first step for a re-roof too.
Expect the answer to depend on scope. A full tear-off and re-roof is a larger job than replacing a few shingles, and decking replacement is closer to structural work. Tell the office what is being removed and replaced.
How contractors apply: eTRAKiT
Licensed contractors, residential and commercial, apply through the Online Contractor's Program on Richland County eTRAKiT. They need a registered account. Account questions go to the Contractor's Account line at (803) 576-2184. The County flooding page also points to eTRAKiT for floodplain development permits.
Check that your roofer is properly credentialed before they apply. Roofers are a residential specialty contractor category under S.C. Code Section 40-59-20, and the requirement applies to jobs over $500. The LLR lookup shows a roofer's status.
How homeowners apply: in person only
If you are acting as your own contractor on your primary residence, the County says online applications are not available. You apply at the permitting counter. The building permits page lists what to bring:
- Proof of property ownership.
- A copy of the property plat.
- Architectural drawings (not needed for electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits).
- Names and license numbers of any subcontractors.
- The permit forms, which staff provide at the counter.
The County says review may take up to 14 days. When every form and department approval is complete, you return to the counter, a Permit Specialist collects payment, and the permit is issued.
There is one more requirement. Owner-builders must complete a notarized Statement of Disclosure and file it with the Register of Deeds. That follows S.C. Code Section 40-59-260. The statute also presumes the work was for sale or rent if the owner sells or rents within two years after completion. If a roofer asks you to apply as the owner, read our post on pulling your own roof permit first.
Inspections in Richland County
The permit holder schedules inspections by calling the Building Inspection Office at (803) 576-2140, option 2, according to the residential inspection page. Inspections are performed the following business day. There are no weekend or holiday inspections, except emergencies approved by the Building Department.
The County's published list is built around new homes. It runs from a saw pole inspection through footing, foundation and slab inspections, a pre-rough-in sheathing inspection, rough-ins, insulation and a final. Inspections not needed for a project may be left out. There is no line item for roofing, so ask the office which inspection a re-roof gets when the permit is issued.
The County says its inspectors hold International Code Council certifications and South Carolina building inspector licenses, per the department page. Appeals of a Building Official's decision go to the Building Codes Board of Appeals.
What does a Richland County building permit cost?
The County's building pages do not link a current fee schedule, and older fee schedule PDFs on the County site no longer load. Call Building Permitting at (803) 576-2140 for the fee on your job. Your roofing contract should say whether the permit fee is included.
Flood zones
In a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, the County says you "must obtain a Floodplain Development Permit." It is usually submitted with the building permit. Its flooding page adds that repairs or additions to an existing structure there need a Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage package.
The flooding page links FEMA's Map Service Center and the County GIS viewer for checking your flood zone. Questions go to the Floodplain Coordinator at (803) 576-2172 or flood@richlandcountysc.gov. Whether a re-roof by itself triggers the flood package is a question for that office.
County business license for contractors
Contractors doing business in unincorporated Richland County need a County business license. The business license page lists Building Inspections/Permitting among the approvals for contractors. Applications are made in person at the Business Service Center, 2020 Hampton St., First Floor, Suite 1050, Columbia, SC 29204, (803) 576-2287, bsc@richlandcountysc.gov. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Office address, phone and hours
Richland County Building Permitting and Inspections contacts (checked October 2026)
| Item | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Office | Administration Building, 2020 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29204. Mailing: P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29201. | Department page |
| Main line | (803) 576-2140; inspections are option 2 | Residential inspection |
| Contractor accounts | (803) 576-2184 | Building permits |
| devservices@richlandcountysc.gov | Building permits | |
| Hours | Administration Building: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Hours and closures |
| Holiday closures | Nov. 11, Nov. 26-27, Dec. 24, 25 and 28, 2026 | Hours and closures |
| Floodplain | (803) 576-2172, flood@richlandcountysc.gov | Flooding |
A Richland County re-roof permit, step by step
- Confirm the house is outside town limits.
- Call (803) 576-2140 and describe the job to confirm what permit it needs.
- If the parcel is in a flood hazard area, ask about the floodplain permit and SI/SD package.
- Your roofer applies through eTRAKiT, or you apply in person as the owner-builder with the documents above.
- Work starts after the permit is issued.
- The permit holder books inspections at (803) 576-2140, option 2.
- Keep the permit number and the final result with your roof records.
Cola City Roofing works across unincorporated Richland County. If you want a second opinion on a roof or a quote, you can reach us here.