In York County, plan on a permit for a re-roof, and expect it to come from whichever government your house sits in. Rock Hill and Fort Mill both name roofing as a permit type. Tega Cay, the City of York and Clover each run their own building permits. York County issues permits only in unincorporated York County and the Towns of Hickory Grove and Sharon. Its code says all construction requires a permit.
That makes six possible offices for one county. This guide sorts out who covers what, then goes office by office through applications, fees, inspections, business licenses and historic districts. Every fact links to the office's own page or document, checked in October 2026.
Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Tega Cay addresses
A Fort Mill, Rock Hill or Tega Cay mailing address doesn't tell you which office covers the house; the permit follows city and town limits. The county asks residents to check the GIS map for a property's jurisdiction. Fort Mill links the same York County GIS from its building page. Check before anyone applies.
Who issues roof permits where?
Roof permit offices in York County (checked October 2026)
| Area | Who issues permits | What it publishes on roofs | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated York County, Hickory Grove, Sharon | York County Permit Services | All construction requires a permit under county code Section 150.14, even under $500. | 803-909-7200. Source |
| City of Rock Hill | Rock Hill Planning and Development | Has a roofing permit process for residential and commercial roofs. | 155 Johnston Street, by appointment. Source |
| Town of Fort Mill | Fort Mill Building and Codes Department | Lists re-roofing among work that needs a permit, and publishes its own roofing requirements. | 803-547-2034. Source |
| City of Tega Cay | Tega Cay Development Services | Runs its own permits and inspections; no roof-specific rule is posted. Call to confirm. | 803-548-3512. Source |
| City of York | City of York Planning and Development | Handles building permits and inspections in the City; no roof-specific rule is posted. Call to confirm. | 803-684-2341. Source |
| Town of Clover | Clover Development Services | Issues permits for remodels and alterations; no roof-specific rule is posted. Call to confirm. | 803-222-9495. Source |
York County: unincorporated areas, Hickory Grove and Sharon
The county's rule is broad. Its building FAQ quotes Section 150.14. Anyone who intends to construct, enlarge, alter or repair a building must first get a permit from the Building and Codes Division. Asked whether a project under $500 needs one, the county answers that all construction requires a permit.
Applying in York County
Permits are applied for, paid for and inspected through the county's Evolve portal. For renovations, the county accepts the total contract amount as the job value. The contract submittal should list material and labor costs. It must be notarized and signed by both the contractor and the owner.
Once the application is accepted, the county says to allow 5 to 7 business days for review. Permit Services will contact you when the permit is ready. Inspections are then scheduled online or by calling 803-909-7200. Residential permits page
Permit Services has moved for the fall
From September 21 through late December, Permit Services is temporarily at the Government Center, 6 S. Congress Street, Suite 4200, in York. Its usual home is 18 W. Liberty Street. County notice
York County fees
The county's Residential Permit Fees chart (July 2026) uses this schedule:
York County residential permit fee schedule (July 2026)
| Job value | Permit fee |
|---|---|
| $1,000 and under | $17 minimum |
| $1,001 to $50,000 | $17 for the first $1,000, plus $7 for each $1,000 over the minimum |
| $50,001 to $100,000 | $360 for the first $50,000, plus $6 for each additional $1,000 or fraction |
Licensing and owner permits in the county
All residential work must be done by a contractor licensed through SC LLR. The exception is a homeowner who does all the work under the state's owner-builder rules. A homeowner acting as contractor signs and notarizes an Owner's Disclosure Statement. It is registered with the deed at the Register of Deeds, 6 S. Congress Street, York. Source
York County itself doesn't require a business license, though some towns inside the county do. County FAQ
City of Rock Hill
Rock Hill has a dedicated roofing permit process for residential and commercial roofs. Before applying, have these ready:
- A signed copy of the roofing contract.
- An HOA approval letter, if the house is in a neighborhood whose HOA enforces restrictive covenants.
- A City of Rock Hill business license for the contractor and every subcontractor. The City won't issue the permit without them.
- The contractor's South Carolina license for the scope of work.
Then apply in the City's Evolve portal: choose "New Applications" and type "Roof", not "Roofing", in the search box. Staff send review comments in about three business days. Processing may take another couple of days, then the City emails an invoice for fees, paid through the portal. The City warns about scammers asking for wire transfers.
Rock Hill fees
Rock Hill bases the fee on the greater of the contract price or the ICC valuation table. Per its development fees page, a valuation of $1,000 or less is $35. From $1,001 to $200,000 it's $35 for the first $1,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000. A 25% plan review fee applies only when a plan has to be submitted.
Contractor limits that matter for roofs
Rock Hill's contractor licensing page adds a roofing detail. A residential specialty contractor is limited to $5,000 of residential roofing work per property unless a bond has been filed with SC LLR. A residential job over $5,000 calls for a specialty license with a bond, a residential builder's license or a general contractor's license. Ask a roofer quoting above that line which one they hold.
Historic overlay districts in Rock Hill
If the house is in one of Rock Hill's historic overlay districts, a Certificate of Appropriateness may be needed before the roofing permit is approved. It is a separate application in the same portal, reviewed against the City's Historic Design Guidelines. Staff decide whether staff can review it or it goes to the Board of Historic Review.
Staff reviews take a few business days. Anyone can appeal a staff decision within 20 days, so work in that window is at your own risk. Board cases usually go on an agenda 30 to 45 days after submission, with a public hearing and notice to neighbors within 300 feet.
Rock Hill says most residential inspections can be done the same day if requested in the portal before 7 a.m. Residential inspections The Planning and Development office at 155 Johnston Street is open by appointment, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Source
Town of Fort Mill
Fort Mill is the most specific office in the county on roofs. Its Building and Codes FAQ lists "Re-roofing, new siding, or replacement windows" among projects that need permits, and Roofing appears under building permits. The Town's Roofing Requirements sheet adds:
- A valid building permit is required before any repair or installation of roofing material.
- Roofers must be registered with SC LLR as a specialty roofing contractor, residential builder or general contractor.
- Every contractor, including 1099 subcontractors working for the roofer, needs a Town of Fort Mill privilege (business) license.
- Fines are $500 per occurrence for each violation.
Fort Mill's photo-based final inspection
For the final, the Town requires photos rather than only a site visit. The requirements sheet asks for photos of the roof deck with felt before shingles, new roof boots and ice and water shield if required. It also wants new flashings, metal drip edge and the finished roof. They go to inspections@fortmillsc.gov with the lot number, address, permit number, inspection type and contractor contact. Once the photos are approved, the permit is closed.
That's a good reason to ask your roofer for a copy of the same photo set. It documents the parts of the roof you'll never see again.
Fort Mill fees, inspections and contacts
The Town's FY 2026-27 building fees charge $25 for a valuation of $1,000 and under. Up to $50,000, it's $25 for the first $1,000 plus $6 for each additional $1,000. Valuation is the greater of the contract price or the ICC table. If work starts before the permit, the fee is doubled. Residential re-inspections are $50, $75 and then $100.
Inspection requests can be made through the Town's online form; requests received by 3 p.m. are done the next business day. A Town permit must be on site during the work. Building and Codes is at 205 N. White Street, 803-547-2034, and Town Hall is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Source
For alterations and repairs to an existing house, the Town's permitting page starts with plan submittal to a Development Coordinator. The permit is then issued at Town Hall. Ask Building and Codes whether a straight re-roof goes through that step or straight to permitting.
Homeowners may pull permits for work on their own residence, except mechanical and gas work. Source
City of Tega Cay
Tega Cay's Development Services runs permits and inspections through the City's Evolve portal. Its permit application guide says anyone doing work other than the homeowner needs a City of Tega Cay business license. It can be bought when the permit is applied for. A homeowner doing the work records a Homeowners Disclosure Statement with the York County Register of Deeds.
To book an inspection, call Development Services at 803.548.3513 extension 301, which takes requests around the clock, at least 24 hours ahead. Residential inspectors usually work between 7:30 and 3:00 on weekdays. City Hall is at 7725 Tega Cay Drive. Tega Cay FAQ The City doesn't post a roof-specific rule or fee, so call to confirm both.
City of York
The City of York's Planning and Development Department coordinates building permits and inspections inside the City. It has its own residential and commercial building inspectors. Applications go through the City's Evolve platform, linked from its Building and Construction page, along with an Owner's Disclosure Statement for owner-builders.
The City's permit applications page also lists a Historic District Application to the Board of Architectural Review. If your house is in York's historic district, ask whether a roof change needs that review first. The permit fee schedule is in the City code, linked from the fee schedules page. City Hall is at 10 N. Roosevelt Street, 803-684-2341.
Town of Clover
Clover's Development Services enforces the state building codes for new construction, renovations and additions inside town limits. Its inspectors are licensed by the ICC and the State. The penalty for not getting a required permit is two times the permit fee.
The Town issues permits for remodels, additions and alterations, with fees based on the value of the job. Contact Development Services at 803-222-9495 for contractor and fee requirements. Every business working in town needs a Clover business license, which runs May 1 to April 30. Source Clover also has a Historic Preservation Overlay District and an Architectural Review Board, listed on the Town website.
What applies everywhere in York County
State law requires residential roofers to register with the Residential Builders Commission for jobs over five hundred dollars. S.C. Code Section 40-59-20 Under Section 40-59-260, you can pull a permit for your own home if you supervise the work. Selling or renting within two years undercuts that exemption.
Roofs are inspected under the 2021 International Residential Code with South Carolina modifications, in effect since January 1, 2023. The state has set January 1, 2027 for local offices to move to the 2024 codes. Our Midlands roof permit guide covers why a closed permit matters when you sell or update your insurance.
Planning a roof in Rock Hill, Fort Mill or elsewhere in York County? For a second look at the job, you can reach Cola City Roofing here.