The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Birmingham - Building Department

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

Adopted code

City of Birmingham - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Birmingham, MI, issued by City of Birmingham - Building Department. Plan on a building permit for any roof work in Birmingham. The Building Department's FAQ answers "What work requires a Building Permit?" for single family homes and adds: "A new roof or repair of an existing roof also requires a building permit." It also says "Please keep in mind that there are other project types that could require a permit, please call our office if you have questions." Inspections are requested online through the city's BS&A page; the FAQ says that once an account is created, "call the Building Department and link to your account". The Building Department is in the Community Development Department, #223 on the second floor of City Hall, 151 Martin Street, Birmingham, MI 48009, open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., phone 248.530.1850.

Roof code checklist: Birmingham, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesbhamgov.org2026-10-03
Repair permit thresholdPublishedbhamgov.org2026-10-03
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. 22-56ars.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
City of Birmingham, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
151 Martin Street, Birmingham, MI 48009
Contact
  • url: https://www.bhamgov.org/about_birmingham/city_departments/building_department/index.php
  • phone: 248-530-1850
Permit portal
Permit portal
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: Birmingham publishes no roofing contractor registration of its own. Its Building Permits page points to the state licence: "A person engaged in the construction of a residential structure or a combination residential and commercial structure must be licensed as a Residential Builder". City Code Chapter 22 (read in full) sets no roofing contractor licence.
Permit process note
Plan on a building permit for any roof work in Birmingham. The Building Department's FAQ answers "What work requires a Building Permit?" for single family homes and adds: "A new roof or repair of an existing roof also requires a building permit." It also says "Please keep in mind that there are other project types that could require a permit, please call our office if you have questions." Inspections are requested online through the city's BS&A page; the FAQ says that once an account is created, "call the Building Department and link to your account". The Building Department is in the Community Development Department, #223 on the second floor of City Hall, 151 Martin Street, Birmingham, MI 48009, open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., phone 248.530.1850.
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 Birmingham as its own building code enforcer. The Building Department's Adopted State Codes page lists "2015 - Michigan Residential Code Effective February 8, 2016", and City Code Section 22-56 adopts the state codes "as all of the codes may be amended from time to time by the state" without naming an edition.
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). Birmingham's building ordinance, City Code Chapter 22 (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). Birmingham's building ordinance, City Code Chapter 22 (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." Birmingham's building ordinance, City Code Chapter 22 (read in full), adds no roof-covering rule; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in it.
Repair permit threshold
Birmingham requires a permit for roof repair as well as a new roof, with no size or cost threshold: the Building Department's FAQ says "A new roof or repair of an existing roof also requires a building permit." State law says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" without defining ordinary repairs; the department publishes no line below which roof repair needs no permit and says "please call our office if you have questions."
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." Birmingham's own building ordinance, City Code Chapter 22 (Community Development Regulations), was read in full: it designates the enforcing agency, adopts the state codes as the state amends them, sets fees, bonds and site-plan rules and adopts a property maintenance code, 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). Birmingham's building ordinance, City Code Chapter 22 (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 City of Birmingham adds no sales tax of its own, so 6% is the whole rate on a job there.

Local roofing hub

Roofing in Birmingham, MichiganCity hub

More roof permit pages in Michigan

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The City of Birmingham's Building Department, in the Community Development Department on the second floor of City Hall at 151 Martin Street, issues building and trade permits in Birmingham and inspects the work; it says a new roof or a repair of an existing roof needs a building permit. Michigan applies one residential code statewide, so the roofing rules below are state law; the city enforces them and sets its own permit fees.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Birmingham, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Birmingham, MI. Birmingham requires a permit for roof repair as well as a new roof, with no size or cost threshold: the Building Department's FAQ says "A new roof or repair of an existing roof also requires a building permit." State law says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" without defining ordinary repairs; the department publishes no line below which roof repair needs no permit and says "please call our office if you have questions."

Is ice & water shield required in Birmingham, 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). Birmingham's building ordinance, City Code Chapter 22 (read in full), states nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Birmingham, 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). Birmingham's building ordinance, City Code Chapter 22 (read in full), states nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Birmingham, 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." Birmingham's own building ordinance, City Code Chapter 22 (Community Development Regulations), was read in full: it designates the enforcing agency, adopts the state codes as the state amends them, sets fees, bonds and site-plan rules and adopts a property maintenance code, and it touches nothing in the reroofing section, so the state limit applies unchanged.

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

Yes.

What building code does Birmingham, 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 Birmingham as its own building code enforcer. The Building Department's Adopted State Codes page lists "2015 - Michigan Residential Code Effective February 8, 2016", and City Code Section 22-56 adopts the state codes "as all of the codes may be amended from time to time by the state" without naming an edition.