Permitting Authorities / City of Brownsville Building Permits and Inspections Division
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Brownsville, TX?
Adopted code
City of Brownsville Building Permits and Inspections Division
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Brownsville, TX, issued by City of Brownsville Building Permits and Inspections Division. REGISTER WITH THE CITY FIRST, THEN PULL THE PERMIT BEFORE WORK STARTS. Sec. 18-81 requires reroofing contractors who work inside the city limits "to register with the office of the building official on an application provided by the building official prior to obtaining any permits for work," renewed each calendar year. Sec. 18-51 provides that "Permits shall be obtained by the contractor constructing or installing such work before such work is started." The residential re-roofing fee is $50.00 (1 to 500 square feet), $70.00 (501 to 2,000 square feet) or $150.00 (over 2,000 square feet) under Sec. 18-123(c)(6); a re-inspection costs $75.00 under Sec. 18-123(c)(1), and starting work before the permit is issued doubles the fee under Sec. 18-123(c)(14). For property in a heritage screening area, Sec. 18-120(e) bars issuing the permit or collecting its fee "until the building official receives a release letter therefor from the heritage officer." The Division takes applications through the City's Accela permitting and inspection portal and can be reached at 956-546-4357.
Roof code checklist: Brownsville, TX
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 Brownsville, Texas
Address
1001 E Elizabeth Street, Brownsville, TX 78520
Contact
- url: https://www.brownsvilletx.gov/1914/Building-Permits-and-Inspections-Divisio
- phone: 956-546-4357
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
- city_level: A CITY CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION THAT NAMES REROOFING CONTRACTORS, WITH ITS OWN FEE. Sec. 18-81 of the City Code: "General building, plumbing and gas, electrical, air conditioning or mechanical, housemover, demolition, swimming pool, sign, reroofing, driveway or curb cut, sidewalk, paving, and earth moving contractors, who perform work inside the city limits, are required to register with the office of the building official on an application provided by the building official prior to obtaining any permits for work. Registration shall be renewed on a calendar-year basis." Sec. 18-82 sets the fee at $250.00 for initial registration and $250.00 for each renewal. Sec. 18-83(a) provides that "A property owner is exempt from registration for work done on a building owned or occupied by the property owner as his home, provided work is not required to be performed by a licensed contractor pursuant to this Code or by the state department of licensing and regulation." Under Sec. 18-85 the City may deny, suspend or revoke a registration for missing or false application information or for "Revocation, suspension, or denial of a contractor's state license or other applicable license or registration," and Sec. 18-86 lets the City cite a contractor who performs work without a construction permit or fails to keep a current registration.
Permit process note
REGISTER WITH THE CITY FIRST, THEN PULL THE PERMIT BEFORE WORK STARTS. Sec. 18-81 requires reroofing contractors who work inside the city limits "to register with the office of the building official on an application provided by the building official prior to obtaining any permits for work," renewed each calendar year. Sec. 18-51 provides that "Permits shall be obtained by the contractor constructing or installing such work before such work is started." The residential re-roofing fee is $50.00 (1 to 500 square feet), $70.00 (501 to 2,000 square feet) or $150.00 (over 2,000 square feet) under Sec. 18-123(c)(6); a re-inspection costs $75.00 under Sec. 18-123(c)(1), and starting work before the permit is issued doubles the fee under Sec. 18-123(c)(14). For property in a heritage screening area, Sec. 18-120(e) bars issuing the permit or collecting its fee "until the building official receives a release letter therefor from the heritage officer." The Division takes applications through the City's Accela permitting and inspection portal and can be reached at 956-546-4357.
Adopted code
THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE AND THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE, BOTH ADOPTED BY CITY ORDINANCE. Chapter 18, Article III, Sec. 18-116(b): "The International Residential Building Code, 2018 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., is hereby adopted by the city commission," with Appendices E, F, G, H, J, K, M, O, P, Q, R, S and T, and with Appendix P "amended at Section P2904 of the code to remove all requirements for sprinklers or sprinkler systems in any one and two family dwelling" (Ord. No. 2020-1485-E, April 21, 2020). Sec. 18-116(a) adopts the 2018 International Building Code, and Secs. 18-121 through 18-126 amend it (heritage sites, sidewalks, permit fees, certificates of occupancy, Class W permits, and the IBC's 105.2 accessory-structure exemption). Article XIII, Sec. 18-800 adopts "The Existing Buildings Code, 2018 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc." (Ord. No. 2020-1485-E), and Sec. 18-801 amends only the Section 202 definitions of "Existing Building" and "Existing Structure." Nothing in Article III or Article XIII touches the roof-assemblies or reroofing provisions. The Code of Ordinances read is codified through Ordinance No. 2026-1797, enacted January 20, 2026.
Drip edge
Required — TRUE AS A POINTER TO THE UNAMENDED BASE 2018 IRC, NOT A QUOTED FIGURE. Chapter 18, Article III (adopting the 2018 IRC by Sec. 18-116(b)) and Article XIII (adopting the 2018 IEBC by Sec. 18-800, with amendments to two Section 202 definitions in Sec. 18-801) were both read in full, and neither amends any roof-covering section. The applicable drip-edge provision is the one in the unamended 2018 IRC roof-assemblies chapter.
About drip edgeImpact-resistant roofing
Not required — NOT REQUIRED BY THE CITY'S ADOPTED CODE OR ITS AMENDMENTS. Neither Chapter 18, Article III (adopting the 2018 IRC and 2018 IBC, with amendments in Secs. 18-116 and 18-121 through 18-126) nor Article XIII (adopting the 2018 IEBC, with amendments in Sec. 18-801) amends Chapter 9's roof-covering provisions; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the city's adopted code or its amendments as read in those two articles. An insurer's premium discount for an impact-rated shingle is not a code mandate.
Repair permit threshold
NO DOLLAR OR AREA FLOOR: THE CITY'S RE-ROOFING FEE STARTS AT ONE SQUARE FOOT. Sec. 18-123(c)(6) of the City Code sets a dedicated fee "For residential re-roofing": "Between 1 and 500 square feet .....$50.00", "Between 501 and 2,000 square feet .....70.00", and "Over 2,000 square feet .....150.00". Sec. 18-51 adds that "No alteration or addition shall be made in any building ... unless a permit is granted for such work." Articles I, II, III and XIII of Chapter 18 were read in full. The only local amendment among them to a "105.2 Work exempt from permit" list is Sec. 18-126, which amends the International Building Code's list for one-story detached accessory structures and says nothing about roofs; none of those articles amends the 2018 IRC's own R105.2 or the 2018 IEBC's permit provisions, and none sets a dollar or area threshold below which roof work escapes a permit. Sec. 18-123(c)(14) doubles the fee "Where work for which a permit is required ... is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining the permit."
Roof layer limit / recover
TWO LAYERS MAXIMUM, ON THE UNAMENDED BASE 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE. Brownsville adopts the 2018 IRC by Chapter 18, Article III, Sec. 18-116(b), and the 2018 International Existing Building Code by Article XIII, Sec. 18-800. Both articles were read in full. Article III's only change to the residential code is Sec. 18-116(b)(1)a., which amends Appendix P "to remove all requirements for sprinklers or sprinkler systems in any one and two family dwelling"; its other amendments (Secs. 18-121 through 18-126) are to the International Building Code and name no reroofing provision. Article XIII's Sec. 18-801 lists "local amendments to the commercial provisions" of the 2018 IEBC, and those amendments rewrite only the Section 202 definitions of "Existing Building" and "Existing Structure"; no IEBC reroofing section is amended. So the base 2018 IRC's Section R908.3.1.1, "Roof recover not allowed," applies: "A roof recover shall not be permitted where any of the following conditions occur," including "Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." One existing layer may be recovered; a second existing layer means a full tear-off.
Deck & sheathing requirements
NO LOCAL RULE ON ROOF SHEATHING. Brownsville adopts the 2018 International Residential Code by Chapter 18, Article III, Sec. 18-116(b), and the 2018 International Existing Building Code by Article XIII, Sec. 18-800. Article III was read in full and amends nothing in the IRC but the Appendix P sprinkler requirements; Article XIII was read in full and amends only two Section 202 definitions. Neither article names an R803 section or any roof-sheathing or roof-deck provision, so the base 2018 IRC's roof sheathing provisions apply in Brownsville unmodified. This record points to that code rather than restating its figures.
Sales & use tax
8.25% COMBINED AT A BROWNSVILLE LOCATION, per the Texas Comptroller's own July 2026 city sales tax rate file: a City of Brownsville rate of 2%, with no county, special purpose district or transit rate listed, for a total of 8.25%. WHAT A ROOFER OWES DEPENDS ON THE CONTRACT FORM. The Comptroller's Publication 94-116 (March 2007), "Real Property Repair and Remodeling," states that "Labor to repair, remodel, or restore residential real property is not taxable." On a lump-sum contract the contractor will "pay tax on all your supplies, materials, equipment, and taxable services when you buy them. You don't charge your customer tax." On a separated contract the contractor gives suppliers resale certificates and will "collect state sales tax, plus any local tax, from your customer on the amount you charge for the materials and those services," where "Your charge for the materials must be at least as much as you paid for them. The construction labor charge is not taxable."
Local roofing hub
More roof permit pages in Texas
Related guides
The building permitting authority for the City of Brownsville, Texas, in Cameron County. The City's Building Permits and Inspections Division states that it will "Process permits and review plans for all remodeling and new construction" and "Conduct inspections for all permits issued upon client request," and it takes applications through the City's Accela permitting portal. The City's own enacted code is the instrument read here: Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances adopts the 2018 International Residential Code (Article III, Sec. 18-116(b)) and the 2018 International Existing Building Code (Article XIII, Sec. 18-800). Articles I, II, III and XIII of Chapter 18 were read in full. Article III's only change to the residential code removes sprinkler requirements from Appendix P, and Article XIII's only amendments rewrite two definitions in IEBC Section 202. Neither article touches roof assemblies or reroofing, so the roof-covering fields below rest on the unamended base 2018 IRC. The City charges its own dedicated residential re-roofing permit fee and requires reroofing contractors to register with the building official before pulling any permit. This is the City record; unincorporated Cameron County has its own record.
Working an insurance claim in Brownsville, TX? 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).
Code items like drip edge are what adjusters ask you to document.
Buy this jurisdiction's pack: $12 Delivered by email within minutes.
Questions about the Brownsville, TX pack?
Not ready to buy, or need a different jurisdiction? Tell us and we’ll reply directly.
Roofing questions: Brownsville, TX
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Brownsville, TX?
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Brownsville, TX. NO DOLLAR OR AREA FLOOR: THE CITY'S RE-ROOFING FEE STARTS AT ONE SQUARE FOOT. Sec. 18-123(c)(6) of the City Code sets a dedicated fee "For residential re-roofing": "Between 1 and 500 square feet .....$50.00", "Between 501 and 2,000 square feet .....70.00", and "Over 2,000 square feet .....150.00". Sec. 18-51 adds that "No alteration or addition shall be made in any building ... unless a permit is granted for such work." Articles I, II, III and XIII of Chapter 18 were read in full. The only local amendment among them to a "105.2 Work exempt from permit" list is Sec. 18-126, which amends the International Building Code's list for one-story detached accessory structures and says nothing about roofs; none of those articles amends the 2018 IRC's own R105.2 or the 2018 IEBC's permit provisions, and none sets a dollar or area threshold below which roof work escapes a permit. Sec. 18-123(c)(14) doubles the fee "Where work for which a permit is required ... is started or proceeded with prior to obtaining the permit."
Is drip edge required in Brownsville, TX?
Yes. TRUE AS A POINTER TO THE UNAMENDED BASE 2018 IRC, NOT A QUOTED FIGURE. Chapter 18, Article III (adopting the 2018 IRC by Sec. 18-116(b)) and Article XIII (adopting the 2018 IEBC by Sec. 18-800, with amendments to two Section 202 definitions in Sec. 18-801) were both read in full, and neither amends any roof-covering section. The applicable drip-edge provision is the one in the unamended 2018 IRC roof-assemblies chapter.
Can you roof over an existing roof in Brownsville, TX?
TWO LAYERS MAXIMUM, ON THE UNAMENDED BASE 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE. Brownsville adopts the 2018 IRC by Chapter 18, Article III, Sec. 18-116(b), and the 2018 International Existing Building Code by Article XIII, Sec. 18-800. Both articles were read in full. Article III's only change to the residential code is Sec. 18-116(b)(1)a., which amends Appendix P "to remove all requirements for sprinklers or sprinkler systems in any one and two family dwelling"; its other amendments (Secs. 18-121 through 18-126) are to the International Building Code and name no reroofing provision. Article XIII's Sec. 18-801 lists "local amendments to the commercial provisions" of the 2018 IEBC, and those amendments rewrite only the Section 202 definitions of "Existing Building" and "Existing Structure"; no IEBC reroofing section is amended. So the base 2018 IRC's Section R908.3.1.1, "Roof recover not allowed," applies: "A roof recover shall not be permitted where any of the following conditions occur," including "Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." One existing layer may be recovered; a second existing layer means a full tear-off.
Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Brownsville, TX?
Yes.
What building code does Brownsville, TX use?
THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE AND THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL EXISTING BUILDING CODE, BOTH ADOPTED BY CITY ORDINANCE. Chapter 18, Article III, Sec. 18-116(b): "The International Residential Building Code, 2018 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., is hereby adopted by the city commission," with Appendices E, F, G, H, J, K, M, O, P, Q, R, S and T, and with Appendix P "amended at Section P2904 of the code to remove all requirements for sprinklers or sprinkler systems in any one and two family dwelling" (Ord. No. 2020-1485-E, April 21, 2020). Sec. 18-116(a) adopts the 2018 International Building Code, and Secs. 18-121 through 18-126 amend it (heritage sites, sidewalks, permit fees, certificates of occupancy, Class W permits, and the IBC's 105.2 accessory-structure exemption). Article XIII, Sec. 18-800 adopts "The Existing Buildings Code, 2018 Edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc." (Ord. No. 2020-1485-E), and Sec. 18-801 amends only the Section 202 definitions of "Existing Building" and "Existing Structure." Nothing in Article III or Article XIII touches the roof-assemblies or reroofing provisions. The Code of Ordinances read is codified through Ordinance No. 2026-1797, enacted January 20, 2026.