Roofing Permits and Inspections

A roofing permit is official permission from a local building authority to carry out roof work. Permits allow the authority to check that the work meets the building code: for example, that the number of roof layers is within the limit, that ice barrier and underlayment rules are followed, that wind-rated products are used and that the structure can carry the new covering. Requirements vary greatly between and within countries.

United States and Canada

Permits are issued by cities, counties or provinces under codes based on model codes such as the International Residential Code or the National Building Code of Canada. Two US examples show the range:

• Bloomington, Minnesota requires a permit to re-roof a house and also for roofing repairs larger than 10 x 10 ft (one square). The permit can be obtained by the homeowner or by a state-licensed contractor.
• Norman, Oklahoma does not require a permit for asphalt shingle roofing, but the work must still comply with all adopted codes, including the local one-layer recover limit, and roofing contractors must be registered with the state.

Inspections, where required, may be scheduled during the work (for example to view the deck after tear-off or the ice barrier) and at completion. Some building departments do not judge whether sheathing is structurally sound, leaving that decision to the contractor, an engineer or the owner.

United Kingdom and Europe

In the UK, replacing a roof covering like for like is often outside planning control, but building regulations can apply, particularly where a significant part of the roof is renewed, insulation must be upgraded or a heavier covering changes the loads on the structure. Listed buildings and conservation areas have additional consent rules. Elsewhere in Europe, rules are set nationally and locally.

Other regions

Australia and New Zealand regulate roofing through national building codes and state, territory or council approvals. Which re-roofing work needs approval, and which is exempt, is set by those codes and local authorities.

Who is responsible

Contracts should say who applies for the permit and pays the fee. Working without a required permit can lead to fines, problems when selling a property and complications with insurance claims.