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Permitting Authorities / City of Benton Harbor - Building Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Benton Harbor, MI?

Adopted code

City of Benton Harbor - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Benton Harbor, MI, issued by City of Benton Harbor - Building Department. In the City of Benton Harbor the Building Department takes the permit application: the department's application is headed 251 E Market St, Benton Harbor, with the Building Official's line 269-204-2478, the department page gives office hours of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am to 3:00pm, and City Hall is at 200 E Wall St, phone 269-927-8457. The application's contractor section asks for the builder's license number and expiration date, a federal employer ID number or reason for exemption, a workers comp insurance carrier or reason for exemption and a MESC employer number or reason for exemption, and says "PLEASE PROVIDE A SIGNED COPY OF YOUR CONTRACT". The FAQ says a residential permit takes "a completed building permit application, 2 sets of drawings and a site plan if necessary", and "The fee is based on the value of the project and will be calculated by our staff." The city's building permit fee table is by construction value and starts at $23 for work valued at $1 to $500; its fee schedule lists a $100 charge for each reinspection and additional inspection, a warning for a resident's first offense of working without a permit, and double the permit cost for a contractor's first offense. The department page warns that "Any work that is regulated by these codes, that is done without first securing the required permits, may be subject to fines and penalties." The FAQ adds "Work must start on a project within 6 months of the permit being issued and the permit remains valid for as long as work is progressing." The city has published nothing that applies the state's ordinary repairs clause to a reroof; the department's own words are the referral to call the Building Official before beginning any project.

Roof code checklist: Benton Harbor, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesbhcity.us2026-10-11
Repair permit thresholdPublishedbhcity.us2026-10-11
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-11
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-11
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-11
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-11
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-11
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-11
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-11
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-11

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 Benton Harbor, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
251 E Market Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Contact
  • url: https://www.bhcity.us/pview.aspx?id=55113&catid=292
  • phone: 269-204-2478
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: The City of Benton Harbor has no contractor registration of its own on the pages read. Its building permit application has a contractor section that asks for the builder's license number and expiration date, a federal employer ID number or reason for exemption, a workers comp carrier or reason for exemption and a MESC employer number or reason for exemption, and its homeowner permit policy says "It is unlawful to obtain a homeowner permit so that you can hire unlicensed contractors to do the work." Chapter 21, Article II of the city's Code of Ordinances separately requires registration of businesses generally ("It shall be unlawful for any person, either directly or indirectly to conduct any business or nonprofit enterprise" without registering), and the city's fee schedule lists a business registration fee; that is a general business registration, not a roofing credential. This record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside a state exemption.
Permit process note
In the City of Benton Harbor the Building Department takes the permit application: the department's application is headed 251 E Market St, Benton Harbor, with the Building Official's line 269-204-2478, the department page gives office hours of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am to 3:00pm, and City Hall is at 200 E Wall St, phone 269-927-8457. The application's contractor section asks for the builder's license number and expiration date, a federal employer ID number or reason for exemption, a workers comp insurance carrier or reason for exemption and a MESC employer number or reason for exemption, and says "PLEASE PROVIDE A SIGNED COPY OF YOUR CONTRACT". The FAQ says a residential permit takes "a completed building permit application, 2 sets of drawings and a site plan if necessary", and "The fee is based on the value of the project and will be calculated by our staff." The city's building permit fee table is by construction value and starts at $23 for work valued at $1 to $500; its fee schedule lists a $100 charge for each reinspection and additional inspection, a warning for a resident's first offense of working without a permit, and double the permit cost for a contractor's first offense. The department page warns that "Any work that is regulated by these codes, that is done without first securing the required permits, may be subject to fines and penalties." The FAQ adds "Work must start on a project within 6 months of the permit being issued and the permit remains valid for as long as work is progressing." The city has published nothing that applies the state's ordinary repairs clause to a reroof; the department's own words are the referral to call the Building Official before beginning any project.
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 City of Benton Harbor as its own building code enforcer. Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances, Sec. 11-2, says "The City hereby adopts the current published editions and any future published editions of the following codes", and lists the "Michigan Residential Code (1 & 2 Family Dwellings)", and the Building Department page says "The City of Benton Harbor, through its Building Official, administers and enforces the State of Michigan Residential Code 2015, Michigan Building Code 2021, Michigan Plumbing Code 2021, Michigan Mechanical Code 2021, Michigan Rehabilitation Code for Existing Buildings 2021, Michigan Energy Code 2021, International Property Maintenance Code 2021, and the National Electric Code 2023 Part 8 Rules." A March 17, 2025 note in Chapter 11 says the former Sec. 11-38 (Adoption of Building Code) referenced The BOCA National Building Code and was redacted, so Article III has no adopting section today. The city's building permit fee table is titled "UBC 97 PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE", a fee label; this record rests on no Uniform Building Code text, which was not read.
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). The City of Benton Harbor Building Department page, FAQ, building permit application and fee schedules, and Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances were read for a local rule and state 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). The City of Benton Harbor Building Department page, FAQ, building permit application and fee schedules, and Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances were read for a local rule and state 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." The City of Benton Harbor Building Department page, FAQ, building permit application and fee schedules, and Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
The City of Benton Harbor has published nothing on reroofs. Its Building Department page restates the general permit rule: "Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure" "shall make application for all required permits", and asks the reader to "contact the Building Official to discuss your project, and the permitting and inspection requirements." Its FAQ says "basically all new construction and any modifications made to an existing structure require a building permit." The building permit application's improvement types include Alterations and Repair/Replacement and name no roof work, and the fee schedules have no roofing line. Under state law, "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure." (MCL 125.1510), without a definition of ordinary repairs.
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." Locally, Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances was read in full: it adopts the current editions of the Michigan codes, creates a construction board of appeals, sets fees by resolution and designates the department as the enforcing agency; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. Chapters 17 (fire), 17.5 (flood regulation), 20 (housing), 21 (licenses) and 25 (nuisances) were searched and have no roofing provision. The Building Department's page, FAQ and permit application state no layer rule.
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). The City of Benton Harbor Building Department page, FAQ, building permit application and fee schedules, and Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances were read for a local rule and state 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." Nothing on the City of Benton Harbor Building Department page changes this.

Local roofing hub

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The City of Benton Harbor's Building Department, at 251 E Market Street in Benton Harbor, issues building permits for the city through its Building Official. Chapter 11 of the city's Code of Ordinances adopts the current editions of the Michigan codes, and the State of Michigan's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the City of Benton Harbor as its own building code enforcer. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Benton Harbor, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Benton Harbor, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Benton Harbor, MI. The City of Benton Harbor has published nothing on reroofs. Its Building Department page restates the general permit rule: "Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure" "shall make application for all required permits", and asks the reader to "contact the Building Official to discuss your project, and the permitting and inspection requirements." Its FAQ says "basically all new construction and any modifications made to an existing structure require a building permit." The building permit application's improvement types include Alterations and Repair/Replacement and name no roof work, and the fee schedules have no roofing line. Under state law, "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure." (MCL 125.1510), without a definition of ordinary repairs.

Is ice & water shield required in Benton Harbor, 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). The City of Benton Harbor Building Department page, FAQ, building permit application and fee schedules, and Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Benton Harbor, 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). The City of Benton Harbor Building Department page, FAQ, building permit application and fee schedules, and Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Benton Harbor, 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." Locally, Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances was read in full: it adopts the current editions of the Michigan codes, creates a construction board of appeals, sets fees by resolution and designates the department as the enforcing agency; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. Chapters 17 (fire), 17.5 (flood regulation), 20 (housing), 21 (licenses) and 25 (nuisances) were searched and have no roofing provision. The Building Department's page, FAQ and permit application state no layer rule.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Benton Harbor, MI?

Yes.

What building code does Benton Harbor, 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 City of Benton Harbor as its own building code enforcer. Chapter 11 (Building and Building Regulations) of the city's Code of Ordinances, Sec. 11-2, says "The City hereby adopts the current published editions and any future published editions of the following codes", and lists the "Michigan Residential Code (1 & 2 Family Dwellings)", and the Building Department page says "The City of Benton Harbor, through its Building Official, administers and enforces the State of Michigan Residential Code 2015, Michigan Building Code 2021, Michigan Plumbing Code 2021, Michigan Mechanical Code 2021, Michigan Rehabilitation Code for Existing Buildings 2021, Michigan Energy Code 2021, International Property Maintenance Code 2021, and the National Electric Code 2023 Part 8 Rules." A March 17, 2025 note in Chapter 11 says the former Sec. 11-38 (Adoption of Building Code) referenced The BOCA National Building Code and was redacted, so Article III has no adopting section today. The city's building permit fee table is titled "UBC 97 PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE", a fee label; this record rests on no Uniform Building Code text, which was not read.