Roof replacement
Yes in almost every US city. Overlay vs. tear-off rules vary.
Related permits2
Documents4
- Product approval / NOA / Florida product approval where required
- Fastening schedule
- Existing roof photo set
- Contractor license
Prepare3
Confirm the AHJ, whether the work is permitted, and who can pull the ticket. Clear zoning, flood, and utilities before you pay for a full set.
Confirm the Authority Having Jurisdiction
City limits, unincorporated county, and special districts are different desks. Use the address, not the mailing city. If two portals look plausible, call both and ask which one issues the permit for that folio / parcel.
Owner or GC
Decide whether the work is permitted
Most structural, MEP, envelope, and change-of-use work needs a permit. Cosmetic finishes usually do not. When in doubt, ask the building department in writing and keep the answer with the job file.
Owner or designer
Line up the people who can pull the permit
Many AHJs only issue to a licensed contractor, a registered design professional, or an owner-builder who signs an affidavit. Check the state license and any local business tax receipt before you apply.
GC / trades
Apply2
Assemble a complete submittal and file it in the official portal. Pay intake. Keep the record number. A complete application is not a permit.
Assemble the submittal
Application, site plan or survey, construction drawings, product approvals, energy forms, and owner / contractor affidavits. Incomplete packages are the most common reason a file sits.
Applicant
File in the official portal
Create the account on the AHJ portal, pay the intake fee, and keep the record number. Do not start work. A complete application is not a permit.
Applicant
Review2
Answer every comment, cloud the sheets, and resubmit the set the AHJ asked for. Issuance comes after fees and a stamped job copy.
Plan review and corrections
Building, zoning, fire, flood, and trade reviewers may each comment. Answer every comment in writing, cloud the sheets, and resubmit the full corrected set the AHJ asked for.
Designer + applicant
Issuance and job-site posting
Pay remaining fees, print or download the approved set, and post the permit card where the inspector can see it. The stamped set is the only legal job copy.
Applicant
Build1
Build only what the last ticket allows. Call inspections before you conceal work. The approved set on site is the only legal job copy.
Call the dry-in / in-progress inspection
Many coastal AHJs want to see underlayment and fastening before the finished roof goes on. Do not finish over an uninspected deck.
Roofer
Close out2
Trade finals, then building final. Ask the department to close the file. Keep the CO / CC, as-builts, and product papers with the property.
Final inspections
Trade finals usually precede the building final. Do not conceal failed work. Bring the approved set, prior tickets, and special-inspection reports.
GC
Close the file
Ask the department to final the permit. Collect the certificate of occupancy, certificate of completion, or finaled card. Keep as-builts, product approvals, and elevation certificates with the property.
Owner + GC
Inspections2
Dry-in / in-progress
Deck exposed or underlayment in
- Product papers on site
- Fasteners match the approval
Roof final
System complete
- Flashing done
- Debris off site
Closeout2
- Finaled roofing permit
- Manufacturer / NOA paperwork to the owner
Watch-outs2
- In HVHZ and many coastal zones, a roofing product that is 'code listed' elsewhere may still be rejected.
- More than two layers is often prohibited.