Permitting Authorities / Arapahoe County - Building Division
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Arapahoe County, CO?
Adopted code
Arapahoe County - Building Division
Yes — a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Arapahoe County, CO, issued by Arapahoe County - Building Division. Reroofing in unincorporated Arapahoe County requires a building permit from the county Building Division. Incorporated cities within the county (for example Aurora and Centennial) permit separately. Colorado has no statewide roofing contractor license.
Jurisdiction
Arapahoe County, Colorado (unincorporated)
Contact
- url: https://www.arapahoeco.gov/your_county/county_departments/public_works_and_development/divisions/building/index.php
Roofing permit required
Required
Permit process note
Reroofing in unincorporated Arapahoe County requires a building permit from the county Building Division. Incorporated cities within the county (for example Aurora and Centennial) permit separately. Colorado has no statewide roofing contractor license.
Adopted code
International Residential Code and International Building Code with local amendments; verify the current adopted edition with the county.
Drip edge
Required — Amended R903.2.1 Locations: "Flashings shall be installed at wall and roof intersections, wherever there is a change in roof slope or direction and around roof openings, and shall include drip edge at all eaves, rakes and soffit locations."
About drip edgeIce & water shield
Not required — The county's own adopted climate-design-criteria table (Table R301.2(A), part of the 2021 IRC amendments in Resolution 21-394) lists "Ice Barrier Underlayment required: NO" for unincorporated Arapahoe County. Neither this table nor the county's 2024 Residential Re-roofing Guide amend or otherwise require an ice barrier.
About ice & water barrierMid-roof inspection
Required — "A mid-roof inspection is required for any batten type roofing application (tile, coated metal, etc) prior to concealment of battens." No tile/coated-metal roofing may be loaded onto the roof before the mid-roof inspection. Where new decking is installed, a separate roof decking inspection is also required prior to the mid-roof inspection. Not triggered by a standard asphalt-shingle re-roof.
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Arapahoe County's Resolution No. 21-394 (adopted November 23, 2021; effective April 1, 2022), which adopts the 2021 IRC/IBC with local amendments for unincorporated Arapahoe County, was reviewed in full, including its complete IRC amendment list; it contains no impact-resistance or UL 2218 requirement for roof coverings. Its only Chapter 9 amendment (R903.2.1) addresses flashing, not roof-covering material class.
Repair permit threshold
Re-roof permits are required for full roof replacement or for repairs/replacements when the total repair area on any roof, or combination of slopes, exceeds one hundred (100) square feet of surface area. If repair of damaged area or replacement of existing roofing exceeds 25% of the total roof surface area, the entire roof is to be replaced.
Wind design criteria
115 mph Ultimate Design Speed (3-second gust); Topographic Effects: NO; Special Wind Region: NO; Windborne debris: NO (Table R301.2(A), part of the county's 2021 IRC amendments adopted by Resolution No. 21-394, adopted November 23, 2021, effective April 1, 2022). The same Resolution separately amends IBC Section 1609.3 Ultimate design wind speed for commercial/IBC risk categories: "Figure 1609.3(1) equals 115 miles per hour, Figure 1609.3(2) equals 120 miles per hour, Figure 1609.3(3) equals 115 miles per hour."
Roof layer limit / recover
"The installation of a new roof covering over an existing layer shall be permitted per the limitations of IRC Section R908.3.1. As per IRC Section 908.3.1.1, a roof re-cover shall not be permitted where the existing roof has two or more applications of any roof covering, or where the existing layers must be removed prior to new roof installation. Any water damaged or rotted decking must be replaced and inspected prior to concealment."
Deck & sheathing requirements
"R905.2.1 Sheathing requirements. Asphalt shingles shall be fastened to solidly sheathed decks." Re-roofing over gapped decking may require additional sheathing to be installed and inspected prior to concealment; where new decking is required and/or provided, a roof decking inspection is required prior to installation of any roof coverings, i.e. prior to a mid-roof inspection.
The building permit authority for unincorporated Arapahoe County. Issues reroofing permits and conducts inspections in areas outside incorporated cities such as Aurora, Centennial, and Littleton.
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