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Permitting Authorities / Charter Township of Big Rapids - Building Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Charter Township of Big Rapids, MI?

Adopted code

Charter Township of Big Rapids - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Charter Township of Big Rapids, MI, issued by Charter Township of Big Rapids - Building Department. In Big Rapids Charter Township the Building Department takes permit applications by appointment: the Building and Zoning page says it "will be available at the Township Monday-Thursday, from 8am-12" and "Please call 231-796-3603 to set up an appointment", and the township's Building Permit Application and instructions are on its Forms, Permits & Publications page. The application's requirements sheet asks for the application and a minimum of two sets of plans that include a "Roof and wall section" for a residential structure, and says "Building permit fees may be obtained from the Big Rapids Charter Township Building Inspector." and, for the call, the square footage, use group and type of construction; it adds "If you submit your building permit application and plans without money, your application will be put on hold and you will receive an invoice for the building permit fee." The township's Building Permit Process chart tells the applicant to obtain zoning clearance first, and its contractor registration form says "The registration of your license or licenses must be on file before Big Rapids Charter Township can issue permits." The application says to "call Big Rapids Charter Township Building Permit Department (231-796-3603) prior to the time you need an inspection." The forms page says that "As of 6/17/25, all our new mechanical permits and inspections are being handled by the State of Michigan". The township hall is at 14212 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, MI 49307.

Roof code checklist: Charter Township of Big Rapids, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesbigrapidstownshipmi.gov2026-10-12
Repair permit thresholdPublishedbigrapidstownshipmi.gov2026-10-12
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-12
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-12
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-12
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-12
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-12
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 150.01ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-12
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-12
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-12

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
Charter Township of Big Rapids, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
14212 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, MI 49307
Contact
  • url: https://bigrapidstownshipmi.gov/building-and-zoning/
  • phone: 231-796-3603
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: Big Rapids Charter Township's Building Permit Application says "Contractors are required to be registered with the Township", and its Contractor Registration Form (effective 1/20/2026) says "The registration of your license or licenses must be on file before Big Rapids Charter Township can issue permits." and "It is necessary to enclose a copy of your current State License with your application." The form asks for the state license type and number, expiration date, federal employer ID, Michigan Employment Security Commission number and a workers disability insurance certificate. The pages read for this record state no township registration fee.
Permit process note
In Big Rapids Charter Township the Building Department takes permit applications by appointment: the Building and Zoning page says it "will be available at the Township Monday-Thursday, from 8am-12" and "Please call 231-796-3603 to set up an appointment", and the township's Building Permit Application and instructions are on its Forms, Permits & Publications page. The application's requirements sheet asks for the application and a minimum of two sets of plans that include a "Roof and wall section" for a residential structure, and says "Building permit fees may be obtained from the Big Rapids Charter Township Building Inspector." and, for the call, the square footage, use group and type of construction; it adds "If you submit your building permit application and plans without money, your application will be put on hold and you will receive an invoice for the building permit fee." The township's Building Permit Process chart tells the applicant to obtain zoning clearance first, and its contractor registration form says "The registration of your license or licenses must be on file before Big Rapids Charter Township can issue permits." The application says to "call Big Rapids Charter Township Building Permit Department (231-796-3603) prior to the time you need an inspection." The forms page says that "As of 6/17/25, all our new mechanical permits and inspections are being handled by the State of Michigan". The township hall is at 14212 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, MI 49307.
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 Big Rapids as its own building code enforcer for building, electrical and plumbing, with mechanical handled by the State. Section 150.01 of the township's Code of Ordinances (Ord. 26, passed 10-5-1999) designates "the Building Official of the township" as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act and names no edition. No township page or form read for this record names a residential code edition, and this record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above.
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 township's Building and Zoning page, permit application and building permit process chart 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 township's Building and Zoning page, permit application and building permit process chart 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 township's Building and Zoning page, permit application and building permit process chart were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
Big Rapids Charter Township's Building and Zoning page says "Please call 231-796-3603 to set up an appointment" and does not mention roofing, and the township's Building Permit Application lists "ALTERATION" and "REPAIR" among its types of improvement, with no roofing choice. The township's Building Permit Process chart exempts only one class of work: "Is this a storage building, deck, or porch of 200 sq. ft. or less? Is this a fence?" leads to "PERMIT NOT REQUIRED". The township posts no fee schedule; the application says "Building permit fees may be obtained from the Big Rapids Charter Township Building Inspector." The township has published nothing about reroofs and no size, square or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit. The state part: Michigan's construction code act says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" and does not define ordinary repairs. The township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work.
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, the township's Code of Ordinances is posted on its Ordinances page as scanned title files and on American Legal; Chapter 150 (Buildings) lists the agency designation in Section 150.01, a dangerous buildings subchapter and address numbering. This record read Section 150.01 and states the state rule; it does not say that no local amendment exists, because the rest of the chapter is posted only as scanned images and the American Legal code could not be opened. The Building and Zoning page, the permit application and the building permit process chart 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 township's Building and Zoning page, permit application and building permit process chart 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 Big Rapids Charter Township Building and Zoning page changes this.

Local roofing hub

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The Big Rapids Charter Township Building Department, at the township hall at 14212 Northland Drive, takes building permit applications by appointment Monday to Thursday mornings. Section 150.01 of the township's Code of Ordinances designates the township's building official as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act, and the State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the Township as its own building code enforcer. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

Working an insurance claim in Charter Township of Big Rapids, MI? Everything on this page (drip edge, ice & water shield, inspections, Class 4 rules) formatted as a claim-ready evidence pack: verbatim ordinance quotes, code section cites, verification dates, and official source links, ready to attach to a supplement. See a real sample pack (PDF, 4 pages, free).

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Sources

Roofing questions: Charter Township of Big Rapids, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Charter Township of Big Rapids, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Charter Township of Big Rapids, MI. Big Rapids Charter Township's Building and Zoning page says "Please call 231-796-3603 to set up an appointment" and does not mention roofing, and the township's Building Permit Application lists "ALTERATION" and "REPAIR" among its types of improvement, with no roofing choice. The township's Building Permit Process chart exempts only one class of work: "Is this a storage building, deck, or porch of 200 sq. ft. or less? Is this a fence?" leads to "PERMIT NOT REQUIRED". The township posts no fee schedule; the application says "Building permit fees may be obtained from the Big Rapids Charter Township Building Inspector." The township has published nothing about reroofs and no size, square or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit. The state part: Michigan's construction code act says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" and does not define ordinary repairs. The township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work.

Is ice & water shield required in Charter Township of Big Rapids, 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 township's Building and Zoning page, permit application and building permit process chart were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Charter Township of Big Rapids, 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 township's Building and Zoning page, permit application and building permit process chart were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Charter Township of Big Rapids, 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, the township's Code of Ordinances is posted on its Ordinances page as scanned title files and on American Legal; Chapter 150 (Buildings) lists the agency designation in Section 150.01, a dangerous buildings subchapter and address numbering. This record read Section 150.01 and states the state rule; it does not say that no local amendment exists, because the rest of the chapter is posted only as scanned images and the American Legal code could not be opened. The Building and Zoning page, the permit application and the building permit process chart state no layer rule.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Charter Township of Big Rapids, MI?

Yes.

What building code does Charter Township of Big Rapids, 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 Big Rapids as its own building code enforcer for building, electrical and plumbing, with mechanical handled by the State. Section 150.01 of the township's Code of Ordinances (Ord. 26, passed 10-5-1999) designates "the Building Official of the township" as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act and names no edition. No township page or form read for this record names a residential code edition, and this record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above.