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Permitting Authorities / City of Bartow - Building Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Bartow, FL?

Adopted code

City of Bartow - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Bartow, FL, issued by City of Bartow - Building Department. Re-roofing in Bartow is permit work. The City's Building Department page states that "A building permit must be obtained before you construct, enlarge, alter, move, replace, repair, improve, convert, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure," and that "If you build without a permit, you could be charged fines." The City's online Building Permit Application lists Roofing as a type of permit, asks for the roofing type (shingles, built-up, metal, tile or other) and a "Roof Affidavit (if applicable)," and has the applicant certify "that no work or installation has commenced prior to the issuance of a permit." City Code section 18-3 requires a permit before "Doing any work that requires issuance of a permit under Section 105.1 of Chapter 1—Administration of Florida Building Code: Building or F.S. Chapter 553," before "Doing any structural work of any character, whether permanent or temporary," and before "Doing any nonstructural work where the cost of materials exceeds $800.00." The City's contractor registration page states that a "Permit application is needed for all jobs," a "Notice of Commencement needed for all jobs over $2,500," and a signed copy of the contract or work order. The City's permit fee is $42.00 for a valuation under $1,000, and $42.00 for the first $1,000 plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000 above that, with plan review at 50 percent of the permit fee. State law makes it "unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit" (section 553.79(1)(a), Florida Statutes).

Roof code checklist: Bartow, FL

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYescityofbartow.net2026-10-16
Repair permit thresholdPublishedlibrary.municode.com2026-10-16
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Deck & sheathingPublishedcodes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Ice & water shieldNoR905.1.2codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNolibrary.municode.com2026-10-16
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 553.73(6)library.municode.com2026-10-16
Contractor license / registrationYesleg.state.fl.us2026-10-16
Sales & use taxPublisheddr15dss_26.pdf2026-10-16

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
City of Bartow, Florida
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
195 South Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830
Contact
  • url: https://www.cityofbartow.net/159/Building-Department
  • phone: 863-534-0157
Permit portal
Permit portal
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
  • state_level: Roofing contractor is a separately licensed trade in Florida. Section 489.105(3)(e), Florida Statutes, defines a "Roofing contractor" as "a contractor whose services are unlimited in the roofing trade," with a scope that includes "required roof-deck attachments; any repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia as needed during roof repair or replacement." Section 489.113(2) provides that a person "must be certified or registered in order to engage in the business of contracting in this state." A state-certified contractor may work statewide; under section 489.117(1)(b), "Registration allows the registrant to engage in contracting only in the counties, municipalities, or development districts where he or she has complied with all local licensing requirements, if any, and only for the type of work covered by the registration." Section 489.103(7) contains an owner-builder exemption for "Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing direct, onsite supervision themselves of all work not performed by licensed contractors," including one- and two-family residences for the owner's own occupancy or use and not offered for sale or lease; this record does not decide whether a particular reader falls within it.
  • city_level: The City's Contractor Registration page lists what is "required to register your license with the City of Bartow Building Department": a "Certified or Registered State License - If state registered, you will also need a Municipal Board of Examiners card," an updated certificate of insurance for workers' compensation (or exemption) and general liability with the City as certificate holder, and a current business tax receipt from the municipality where the business is located; the business tax receipt is a general business tax, not a trade credential. The City's Permitting and Inspections page states that "Property owners may act as their own contractor as long as they comply with the Owner Builder Disclosure Statement and in accordance with Florida Statutes."
Permit process note
Re-roofing in Bartow is permit work. The City's Building Department page states that "A building permit must be obtained before you construct, enlarge, alter, move, replace, repair, improve, convert, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure," and that "If you build without a permit, you could be charged fines." The City's online Building Permit Application lists Roofing as a type of permit, asks for the roofing type (shingles, built-up, metal, tile or other) and a "Roof Affidavit (if applicable)," and has the applicant certify "that no work or installation has commenced prior to the issuance of a permit." City Code section 18-3 requires a permit before "Doing any work that requires issuance of a permit under Section 105.1 of Chapter 1—Administration of Florida Building Code: Building or F.S. Chapter 553," before "Doing any structural work of any character, whether permanent or temporary," and before "Doing any nonstructural work where the cost of materials exceeds $800.00." The City's contractor registration page states that a "Permit application is needed for all jobs," a "Notice of Commencement needed for all jobs over $2,500," and a signed copy of the contract or work order. The City's permit fee is $42.00 for a valuation under $1,000, and $42.00 for the first $1,000 plus $5.00 for each additional $1,000 above that, with plan review at 50 percent of the permit fee. State law makes it "unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit" (section 553.79(1)(a), Florida Statutes).
Inspection requirements
Inspections are "required for all permitted work" and are requested by calling 863-534-0157 or by email to the Building Department; "All inspections must be requested the day before the inspection is desired." The City's Re-Roof Affidavit states: "In-Progress: Contractors – A complete affidavit must be on the job site in case the inspector does not arrive before completion of work. If the re-roof work is completed prior to inspector arrival, the inspector will accept a properly completed affidavit and may do the final inspection." The affidavit records the decking nail schedule, framing and sheathing repair, underlayment, flashing, the drip edge and shingle nail schedule, and roof vents. The City's Inspection Requirements page states that roof deck inspections are mandatory for new roof construction and that "This requirement does not apply to re-roof jobs on existing residential homes," and that the final building inspection includes the final roof inspection.
Adopted code
Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Residential volume (2021 International Residential Code base), effective December 31, 2023, adopted statewide by the Florida Building Commission under Rule 61G20-1.001, Florida Administrative Code; section 553.73(6), Florida Statutes, provides that the code and each update "is deemed adopted for use statewide without adoptions by local government." City Code section 18-1 adopts "The most current edition of the" Florida Building Code, including its building, residential and existing building parts, as "the Building Code of the City of Bartow" (Ord. No. 2012-07). The City's administrative amendments in section 18-2 concern property maintenance, the building official's powers and right of entry only, and the City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) makes no technical amendment to the roofing provisions. The Florida Building Commission's registry of local technical amendments to the 8th Edition lists none from Bartow or Polk County. The City's posted permit fee page still cites the Florida Building Code 6th Edition (2017) for its fee authority.
Drip edge
Required — Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R905.2.8.5 Drip edge: "Provide drip edge at eaves and gables of shingle roofs. Overlap to be a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm). Eave drip edges shall extend 1/2 inch (13 mm) below sheathing and extend back on the roof a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm). Drip edge shall be installed over the underlayment." It "shall be mechanically fastened a maximum of 12 inches (305 mm) on center," with closer spacing where the Vasd is 110 mph or greater. The requirement is written for shingle roofs. The City's Re-Roof Affidavit asks for the "Nail schedule for eve drip, metal, roof shingles." The City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) does not amend the code's drip edge rule, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9. About drip edge
Ice & water shield
Not required — Not required. The Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023) reads "R905.1.2 Ice barriers. Reserved." and, for asphalt shingles, "R905.2.7 Ice barrier. Reserved." Neither the City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) nor any registered local amendment adds an ice barrier. A self-adhering ASTM D1970 underlayment remains one of the permitted underlayment methods under section R905.1.1.1; it is not prohibited. About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — The City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) adopts the Florida Building Code with administrative amendments only, and the Florida Building Commission's registry lists no Bartow or Polk County technical amendment to the roofing chapters; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the Florida Building Code, Residential Chapter 9, Building Chapter 15 or Existing Building Chapter 7 as they apply in Bartow. Florida's shingle classes under section R905.2.6.1 (ASTM D3161, TAS 107, ASTM D7158) are wind ratings, not impact ratings.
Repair permit threshold
City Code section 18-3 requires a permit before "Doing any structural work of any character, whether permanent or temporary" and before "Doing any nonstructural work where the cost of materials exceeds $800.00," as well as any work that needs a permit under Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code or Chapter 553, Florida Statutes. The City's Building Department page states: "You don't need a building permit for most minor improvements or cosmetic changes," giving as examples repainting a house, installing kitchen cabinets without changing the layout, replacing carpet and repainting interiors; it names no roof work. The Florida Building Code's own relief, Building section 105.2.2, allows "Ordinary minor repairs" without a permit only "with the approval of the building official." Section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes (effective July 1, 2026), reads: "A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner's contractor from the requirement to obtain a building permit to perform any work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner's property," does not apply to "Work on a property that is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area" or to "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work," requires "a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency with a copy of the contract," and provides that "A construction project may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph." Separately, the Florida Building Code's 25 percent rule applies to roof repairs (see the deck and sheathing field).
Roof layer limit / recover
Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.3 Recovering versus replacement: "New roof coverings shall not be installed without first removing all existing layers of roof coverings where any of the following conditions occur: 1. Where the existing roof or roof covering is water soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing. 2. Where the existing roof covering is wood shingle or shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. 3. Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." Tear-off is also required where blisters are not cut open and secured, or where the existing covering is to be used for attachment and the securement provisions cannot be met. A single re-cover over one existing layer is therefore the most the code allows. The City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) states no layer limit of its own and does not amend section R908.3, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9.
Deck & sheathing requirements
Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.7 Wind mitigation: "When a roof covering on an existing structure with a sawn lumber, wood plank or wood structural panel roof deck is removed and replaced, the following procedures shall be permitted to be performed by the roofing contractor: (a) Roof-decking attachment shall be as required by Section R908.7.1. (b) A secondary water barrier shall be provided as required by Section R908.7.2. Exception: Structures permitted subject to the Florida Building Code are not required to comply with this section." Under section R908.7.1.1, plank decking "secured with at least two nails (minimum size 8d) to each roof framing member it crosses shall be deemed to be sufficiently connected." Section R908.1.1 (the 25 percent rule): "Not more than 25 percent of the total roof area or roof section of any existing building or structure shall be repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12-month period unless the roof covering on the entire existing roof system or roof section is replaced or recovered to conform to the requirements of this code," with an exception for roofs built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, where only the repaired, replaced or recovered portion must meet the code in effect. The City's Re-Roof Affidavit asks the contractor to record the "Nail schedule of purling and/or re-nailing of decking" and the "Amount of Framing/Sheathing Repair." The City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) does not amend these sections.
Sales & use tax
7% combined on materials: the 6% Florida state sales and use tax plus Polk County's 1% discretionary sales surtax, made up of two 0.5% levies, one effective January 1, 2004 with an expiration date of December 31, 2033 and one effective January 1, 2005 with an expiration date of December 31, 2044 (Florida Department of Revenue Form DR-15DSS for calendar year 2026). Per the Department, the surtax "applies to the first $5,000 of the sales amount on the sale, use, lease, rental, or license to use any item of tangible personal property." Under Rule 12A-1.051, Florida Administrative Code, "Roofing work" is a real property contract, and "Contractors are the ultimate consumers of materials and supplies they use to perform real property contracts and must pay tax on their costs of those materials and supplies, unless the contractor has entered a retail sale plus installation contract"; such contractors "should charge no tax to their customers, regardless of whether they itemize charges for materials and labor in their proposals or invoices." The rate is the roofer's cost on materials, repair and replacement alike, not a tax charged to the homeowner.

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The permitting authority for the City of Bartow, the county seat of Polk County. The City's Building Department issues building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits, including roofing permits, and performs "Inspections for all permitted work" under the Florida Building Code.

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Roofing questions: Bartow, FL

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Bartow, FL?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Bartow, FL. City Code section 18-3 requires a permit before "Doing any structural work of any character, whether permanent or temporary" and before "Doing any nonstructural work where the cost of materials exceeds $800.00," as well as any work that needs a permit under Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code or Chapter 553, Florida Statutes. The City's Building Department page states: "You don't need a building permit for most minor improvements or cosmetic changes," giving as examples repainting a house, installing kitchen cabinets without changing the layout, replacing carpet and repainting interiors; it names no roof work. The Florida Building Code's own relief, Building section 105.2.2, allows "Ordinary minor repairs" without a permit only "with the approval of the building official." Section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes (effective July 1, 2026), reads: "A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner's contractor from the requirement to obtain a building permit to perform any work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner's property," does not apply to "Work on a property that is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area" or to "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work," requires "a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency with a copy of the contract," and provides that "A construction project may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph." Separately, the Florida Building Code's 25 percent rule applies to roof repairs (see the deck and sheathing field).

Is ice & water shield required in Bartow, FL?

No. Not required. The Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023) reads "R905.1.2 Ice barriers. Reserved." and, for asphalt shingles, "R905.2.7 Ice barrier. Reserved." Neither the City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) nor any registered local amendment adds an ice barrier. A self-adhering ASTM D1970 underlayment remains one of the permitted underlayment methods under section R905.1.1.1; it is not prohibited.

Is drip edge required in Bartow, FL?

Yes. Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R905.2.8.5 Drip edge: "Provide drip edge at eaves and gables of shingle roofs. Overlap to be a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm). Eave drip edges shall extend 1/2 inch (13 mm) below sheathing and extend back on the roof a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm). Drip edge shall be installed over the underlayment." It "shall be mechanically fastened a maximum of 12 inches (305 mm) on center," with closer spacing where the Vasd is 110 mph or greater. The requirement is written for shingle roofs. The City's Re-Roof Affidavit asks for the "Nail schedule for eve drip, metal, roof shingles." The City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) does not amend the code's drip edge rule, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Bartow, FL?

Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.3 Recovering versus replacement: "New roof coverings shall not be installed without first removing all existing layers of roof coverings where any of the following conditions occur: 1. Where the existing roof or roof covering is water soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing. 2. Where the existing roof covering is wood shingle or shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. 3. Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." Tear-off is also required where blisters are not cut open and secured, or where the existing covering is to be used for attachment and the securement provisions cannot be met. A single re-cover over one existing layer is therefore the most the code allows. The City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) states no layer limit of its own and does not amend section R908.3, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Bartow, FL?

Yes.

What building code does Bartow, FL use?

Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Residential volume (2021 International Residential Code base), effective December 31, 2023, adopted statewide by the Florida Building Commission under Rule 61G20-1.001, Florida Administrative Code; section 553.73(6), Florida Statutes, provides that the code and each update "is deemed adopted for use statewide without adoptions by local government." City Code section 18-1 adopts "The most current edition of the" Florida Building Code, including its building, residential and existing building parts, as "the Building Code of the City of Bartow" (Ord. No. 2012-07). The City's administrative amendments in section 18-2 concern property maintenance, the building official's powers and right of entry only, and the City's building chapter (City Code Chapter 18, read in full) makes no technical amendment to the roofing provisions. The Florida Building Commission's registry of local technical amendments to the 8th Edition lists none from Bartow or Polk County. The City's posted permit fee page still cites the Florida Building Code 6th Edition (2017) for its fee authority.