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Permitting Authorities / Township of Ada - Building Inspections (by contract with Cascade Charter Township)

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Ada, MI?

Adopted code

Township of Ada - Building Inspections (by contract with Cascade Charter Township)

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Ada, MI, issued by Township of Ada - Building Inspections (by contract with Cascade Charter Township). Plan on a building permit for a re-roof in Ada Township. Neither the township nor Cascade Township's Building Department publishes anything on reroofing either way, so the state rule applies as written. The state construction code act says "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit" and also "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure", without defining ordinary repairs. The township says "Ada Township contracts with Cascade Township for building permit issuance and inspection services." A permit application form and three sets of supporting plans go to the Planning & Zoning Department at the Ada Township Offices; after zoning sign-off "the application and plans are forwarded to Cascade Township for issuance of the permit," and "Building Permit Fees are paid to Cascade Township at the time the permit is picked up at Cascade Township offices." Cascade keeps a separate building permit application for Ada work, which asks for the contractor's license number and expiration. Inspections are requested from Cascade online, by phone at 616-949-3765, or by text at 616-240-4693. Cascade's Building Department is at 5920 Tahoe Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49546, open Monday to Thursday 7am to 4pm and Friday 7am to 1pm; the Ada Township Offices are at 7330 Thornapple River Drive, Ada, MI 49301.

Roof code checklist: Township of Ada, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesadamichigan.org2026-10-03
Repair permit thresholdPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-03
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-02
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-02
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-02
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-02
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-02
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 18-31ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-02
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-02
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-02

Each row comes from the sourced record on this page; full wording is in the table below. "Not published" means no official source for that item was found when the record was last verified.

Jurisdiction
Township of Ada, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
7330 Thornapple River Drive, Ada, MI 49301
Contact
  • url: https://www.adamichigan.org/departments/building_inspections/index.php
  • phone: 616-949-3765
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
  • state_level: Michigan licenses residential maintenance and alteration contractors under the Occupational Code, and that licence "includes the following crafts and trades" among which it names roofing (MCL 339.2404(3)); "A person shall not engage in or attempt to engage in the practice of an occupation regulated under this act" without the licence (MCL 339.601(1)). MCL 339.2403 lists who may work without one, including a project whose "aggregate contract price for the labor, material, and any other items for the undertaking or project is less than $600.00". This record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside an exemption.
  • city_level: Ada Township publishes no contractor registration of its own; the building permit application Cascade Township uses for Ada work asks for the contractor's license number and expiration. Township Code Chapter 18 (read in full) sets no roofing contractor licence.
Permit process note
Plan on a building permit for a re-roof in Ada Township. Neither the township nor Cascade Township's Building Department publishes anything on reroofing either way, so the state rule applies as written. The state construction code act says "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit" and also "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure", without defining ordinary repairs. The township says "Ada Township contracts with Cascade Township for building permit issuance and inspection services." A permit application form and three sets of supporting plans go to the Planning & Zoning Department at the Ada Township Offices; after zoning sign-off "the application and plans are forwarded to Cascade Township for issuance of the permit," and "Building Permit Fees are paid to Cascade Township at the time the permit is picked up at Cascade Township offices." Cascade keeps a separate building permit application for Ada work, which asks for the contractor's license number and expiration. Inspections are requested from Cascade online, by phone at 616-949-3765, or by text at 616-240-4693. Cascade's Building Department is at 5920 Tahoe Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49546, open Monday to Thursday 7am to 4pm and Friday 7am to 1pm; the Ada Township Offices are at 7330 Thornapple River Drive, Ada, MI 49301.
Adopted code
2015 Michigan Residential Code. This is state law and it is the same in every Michigan city, village, township and county: the state construction code act says "This act and the code apply throughout the state," and the Michigan Residential Code rule adopts "the international residential code, 2015 edition" with the state amendments in R 408.30500 to R 408.30547g. A 2021 edition was filed with the secretary of state in 2025 but has not taken effect. On July 7, 2025 the Michigan Court of Claims entered a stipulated order in Home Builders Assoc et al. v LARA et al., and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) says that while that order remains in place "the 2015 versions of the IRC and residential provisions of the IECC standards currently adopted, in part, by each rule set will remain valid and in effect." LARA's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Ada as its own building code enforcer, and Township Code Section 18-31 (2023) adopts the state construction code by reference without naming an edition and makes the township's building official the enforcing agency; the township says it contracts with Cascade Township for building permit issuance and inspection services.
Drip edge
Required — Required on asphalt shingle roofs by state law. Michigan makes no amendment to the drip edge rule of the 2015 International Residential Code, Section R905.2.8.5, which applies as published: "A drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of shingle roofs." Segments overlap by at least 2 inches, the drip edge extends at least 1/4 inch below the roof sheathing and at least 2 inches back onto the deck, it is fastened at no more than 12 inches on center, and underlayment goes over it at the eaves and under it at the rakes. A reroof is held to the same rule, because "Materials and methods of application used for re-covering or replacing an existing roof covering shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 9" (R908.1). Ada's building ordinance, Township Code Chapter 18 (read in full), states nothing further on drip edge. About drip edge
Ice & water shield
Required — Required everywhere in Michigan by state law. Michigan fills in the climatic design table of the 2015 code once for the whole state (Rule 516, Table R301.2(1)), and its ice barrier underlayment column reads Yes. The state footnote calls for Yes "for areas where the average daily temperature in January is 25 degrees Fahrenheit" or less, or where ice damming has caused damage. The base code then requires an ice barrier "for asphalt shingles, metal roof shingles, mineral-surfaced roll roofing, slate and slate-type shingles, wood shingles and wood shakes," running "from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point not less than 24 inches (610 mm) inside the exterior wall line of the building" (R905.1.2). Detached accessory structures without conditioned floor area are exempt. On a tear-off, an existing ice barrier that is adhered to the deck may stay and be covered with an additional layer (R908.3, Exception). Ada's building ordinance, Township Code Chapter 18 (read in full), states nothing further on ice barrier. About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — No impact-resistance requirement under state law. The 2015 Michigan Residential Code was searched in full and has no hail or impact rating rule for roof coverings: the words hail, impact and UL 2218 do not appear in it, and none of them appears in the roof assemblies chapter of the base 2015 International Residential Code either. Michigan applies one code statewide ("This act and the code apply throughout the state."), and the act gives the power to amend it to the state director, who adopts the model codes "with amendments, additions, or deletions as the director determines appropriate." Ada's building ordinance, Township Code Chapter 18 (read in full), adds no roof-covering rule; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in it.
Repair permit threshold
Neither Ada Township nor the Cascade Township Building Department that issues its permits publishes a size, square or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit, or any statement on reroofing either way. The state construction code act says "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit" and also "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure", without defining ordinary repairs. Township Code Chapter 18 (read in full) adopts the state construction code and sets permit fees by resolution, and names no roof work. For a small patch, ask the Cascade Township Building Department (616-949-3765) before starting.
Roof layer limit / recover
Two layers at most, under state law. Michigan builds one- and two-family homes to the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which adopts the 2015 International Residential Code and makes no amendment to its reroofing section, Section R908; the Michigan rule set was searched in full and R908 does not appear in it. The base section therefore applies as the International Code Council publishes it. Section R908.3.1.1 lists the conditions under which a new roof may not be laid over an existing one, and the third is "Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." One existing layer may be covered once; a roof that already carries two layers is torn off to the deck. The same section also bars covering a roof that is water soaked or too deteriorated to serve as a base, and covering "slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile." Ada's own building ordinance, Township Code Chapter 18 (Buildings and Building Regulations), was read in full: it adopts the state construction code, sets fees by resolution, creates a board of appeals and regulates swimming pools and flood damage prevention, and it touches nothing in the reroofing section, so the state limit applies unchanged.
Deck & sheathing requirements
State law, from the base code. Michigan makes no amendment to the roof sheathing section of the 2015 International Residential Code, Section R803, which does not appear in the Michigan rule set, so it applies as published. Lumber roof sheathing follows Table R803.1: over rafters or beams 24 inches apart it must be at least 5/8 inch net thick. Wood structural panels must be identified "for grade, bond classification and performance category by a grade mark or certificate of inspection issued by an approved agency," and their spans may not exceed "the values set forth in Table R503.2.1.1(1), or APA E30." For a shingle roof the base code adds that "Asphalt shingles shall be fastened to solidly sheathed decks" (R905.2.1), and on any reroof "The structural roof components shall be capable of supporting the roof covering system" (R908.2). Ada's building ordinance, Township Code Chapter 18 (read in full), states nothing further on roof sheathing.
Sales & use tax
6%, statewide, with no local add-on. This is state law: the General Sales Tax Act sets the tax "equal to 6% of the gross proceeds of the business," the Use Tax Act sets "a total combined rate equal to 6%," and the Michigan Department of Treasury says "Michigan does not allow city or local units to impose sales tax." On a roofing job the roofer is the taxpayer on materials, because the Use Tax Act counts as a consumer "A person acquiring tangible personal property if engaged in the business of constructing, altering, repairing, or improving the real estate of others." The Township of Ada adds no sales tax of its own, so 6% is the whole rate on a job there.

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In the Township of Ada, building permit applications are filed with the Planning & Zoning Department at the Ada Township Offices, 7330 Thornapple River Drive, and the township contracts with Cascade Charter Township's Building Department to issue the permits and inspect the work. Michigan applies one residential code statewide, so the roofing rules below are state law; the township enforces them through that contract.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Township of Ada, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Ada, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Ada, MI. Neither Ada Township nor the Cascade Township Building Department that issues its permits publishes a size, square or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit, or any statement on reroofing either way. The state construction code act says "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit" and also "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure", without defining ordinary repairs. Township Code Chapter 18 (read in full) adopts the state construction code and sets permit fees by resolution, and names no roof work. For a small patch, ask the Cascade Township Building Department (616-949-3765) before starting.

Is ice & water shield required in Township of Ada, MI?

Yes. Required everywhere in Michigan by state law. Michigan fills in the climatic design table of the 2015 code once for the whole state (Rule 516, Table R301.2(1)), and its ice barrier underlayment column reads Yes. The state footnote calls for Yes "for areas where the average daily temperature in January is 25 degrees Fahrenheit" or less, or where ice damming has caused damage. The base code then requires an ice barrier "for asphalt shingles, metal roof shingles, mineral-surfaced roll roofing, slate and slate-type shingles, wood shingles and wood shakes," running "from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point not less than 24 inches (610 mm) inside the exterior wall line of the building" (R905.1.2). Detached accessory structures without conditioned floor area are exempt. On a tear-off, an existing ice barrier that is adhered to the deck may stay and be covered with an additional layer (R908.3, Exception). Ada's building ordinance, Township Code Chapter 18 (read in full), states nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Township of Ada, MI?

Yes. Required on asphalt shingle roofs by state law. Michigan makes no amendment to the drip edge rule of the 2015 International Residential Code, Section R905.2.8.5, which applies as published: "A drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of shingle roofs." Segments overlap by at least 2 inches, the drip edge extends at least 1/4 inch below the roof sheathing and at least 2 inches back onto the deck, it is fastened at no more than 12 inches on center, and underlayment goes over it at the eaves and under it at the rakes. A reroof is held to the same rule, because "Materials and methods of application used for re-covering or replacing an existing roof covering shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 9" (R908.1). Ada's building ordinance, Township Code Chapter 18 (read in full), states nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Ada, MI?

Two layers at most, under state law. Michigan builds one- and two-family homes to the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which adopts the 2015 International Residential Code and makes no amendment to its reroofing section, Section R908; the Michigan rule set was searched in full and R908 does not appear in it. The base section therefore applies as the International Code Council publishes it. Section R908.3.1.1 lists the conditions under which a new roof may not be laid over an existing one, and the third is "Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." One existing layer may be covered once; a roof that already carries two layers is torn off to the deck. The same section also bars covering a roof that is water soaked or too deteriorated to serve as a base, and covering "slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile." Ada's own building ordinance, Township Code Chapter 18 (Buildings and Building Regulations), was read in full: it adopts the state construction code, sets fees by resolution, creates a board of appeals and regulates swimming pools and flood damage prevention, and it touches nothing in the reroofing section, so the state limit applies unchanged.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Township of Ada, MI?

Yes.

What building code does Township of Ada, MI use?

2015 Michigan Residential Code. This is state law and it is the same in every Michigan city, village, township and county: the state construction code act says "This act and the code apply throughout the state," and the Michigan Residential Code rule adopts "the international residential code, 2015 edition" with the state amendments in R 408.30500 to R 408.30547g. A 2021 edition was filed with the secretary of state in 2025 but has not taken effect. On July 7, 2025 the Michigan Court of Claims entered a stipulated order in Home Builders Assoc et al. v LARA et al., and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) says that while that order remains in place "the 2015 versions of the IRC and residential provisions of the IECC standards currently adopted, in part, by each rule set will remain valid and in effect." LARA's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Ada as its own building code enforcer, and Township Code Section 18-31 (2023) adopts the state construction code by reference without naming an edition and makes the township's building official the enforcing agency; the township says it contracts with Cascade Township for building permit issuance and inspection services.