Do I Need a Permit to Replace My Roof in Myrtle Beach?

Do I need a permit to replace my roof? If your home is inside Myrtle Beach city limits, the answer is generally yes, and your roofer also needs a city business license. Outside the city, unincorporated Horry County has a narrower permit trigger, and Georgetown County runs its own process entirely.

Start by finding out whose permit office covers your address. From there, a licensed roofer handles the paperwork.

Do You Need a Permit to Replace a Roof Inside Myrtle Beach City Limits?

Generally yes. The City of Myrtle Beach says most projects inside city limits need a building permit, though exceptions exist. Contractors working there also need a South Carolina LLR license and a City of Myrtle Beach business license. If the roofer you're talking to can't confirm both, that's worth pausing on before you sign anything.

The city's Construction Services Department answers permit questions. Call 843-918-1111 before work starts to confirm what your project needs. After the work is complete, the city's Roof Verification Letter, tied to the permit number, confirms how the roof was fastened. Ask your roofer who signs and files it.

Details are available at cityofmyrtlebeach.com.

On our roof replacement in Myrtle Beach jobs, checking the city business license is one of the first things our project managers do before scheduling work inside city limits.

Roof Permits in Unincorporated Horry County and Georgetown County

In unincorporated Horry County, county code section 6-3 does not require a permit for replacing shingles unless structural sheathing is also replaced. That means replacing shingles on a sound deck typically doesn't require a county permit. If the sheathing is being replaced, a permit is required. The rule is in section 6-3 of the Horry County Code of Ordinances, posted at horrycountysc.gov.

Georgetown County issues residential building permits through its Building Department at gtcountysc.gov. North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and Conway each run their own permit offices, so the question isn't just city versus county. It depends on which town, if any, your address falls within.

We work across Horry and Georgetown counties as roofers serving Horry County and roofers serving Georgetown County, including roof replacement in Murrells Inlet. Our project managers confirm the jurisdiction during the estimate and tell you which office issues the permit. We're based in Little River, the Better Business Bureau rates us A+, and we have more than 1,000 five-star Google reviews.

Who Pulls the Roofing Permit, You or Your Roofer?

In most cases, the licensed roofer pulls it as part of the job.

The exception is the owner-builder exemption under SC Code Section 40-59-260. To use it, the home must be for the owner's own occupancy, not for sale or rent. The owner signs the application in person, receives a state disclosure statement, and files a notice with the register of deeds. The law also prohibits hiring unlicensed workers under this exemption. Selling or renting the home within two years counts as evidence the work was done for sale or rent. That removes the exemption's protection.

This is the law, not a recommendation to do the work yourself. Roof replacement involves fall hazards and structural work requiring specific equipment and training.

If you're weighing contractor options, our guide on how to check a roofing contractor's license and insurance walks through exactly what to look for.

As a third-generation family business serving the Grand Strand since 1985, we've found the permit question is easiest to settle before the contract is signed.

Ask your contractor for the permit number before work begins, then call the permit office to confirm it has been issued.

What the Permit Process Looks Like on a Roof Replacement

The steps are similar everywhere, even though the office changes. First, confirm whether the address falls inside a town's limits or in the unincorporated county. That decides which office issues the permit and which rules apply. Second, the licensed contractor (or the homeowner under the owner-builder exemption) signs and submits the application. Third, after the work is complete, a signed letter tied to the permit number closes the record. Inside Myrtle Beach city limits, that's the Roof Verification Letter. In Horry County, it's the notarized Roof Covering Letter.

Keep a copy with your house papers. On our jobs, a dedicated quality control manager checks each installation, and we send you live photos and videos as the work happens.

For timing and what happens on installation day, see our post on how long a roof replacement takes and our roof replacement process. When you're ready, Get an Instant Estimate and our project manager will confirm which permit office covers your address before we schedule the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need a Permit to Repair My Roof?

In unincorporated Horry County, a permit is not required to replace shingles unless structural sheathing is also being replaced. Inside a town such as Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach or Conway, call that town's permit office. Ask what triggers a permit for repair work, since the rules vary. For roof repair in Myrtle Beach, our team can confirm the requirement for your specific address during the estimate.

How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost in Myrtle Beach?

Our three shingle packages run from $13,545 to $43,125 for a 3,000 square foot roof. A roof is typically about 1.5 times the home's square footage. We publish every package price before you speak to anyone. See our published roof repair and replacement pricing or go straight to the roof replacement page for the full breakdown.

Do You Need a Roofing License in South Carolina?

Yes. Residential building and specialty contracting in South Carolina both require a current state license or registration. You can search any company on the SC LLR license lookup at llr.sc.gov. Our guide on how to verify a roofer's credentials in South Carolina walks through the steps, including which license classification applies to your project size.