The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / Township of Columbus - Building Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Columbus, MI?

Adopted code

Township of Columbus - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Columbus, MI, issued by Township of Columbus - Building Department. In Columbus Township a reroof is an application to the township office: the Building page says "Applications to build are available in the office during regular business hours, or can be printed from the links below." and "An application fee of $75.00 is required when turning in building permits which will be applied to your permit fees. If mailing please enclose a check for $75.00!" The application asks for the "ESTIMATED PROJECT COST (REQUIRED FOR PERMIT FEES)" and the contractor's builders license number, and says "A permit shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced within 180 days after issuance of the permit". Chapter 12 of the township code adds a bond: "Every applicant for a residential building permit shall deposit with the Building Inspector" "a fee (bond) in the amount of one (1%) percent of the estimated cost (from a minimum bond of $100.00 to a maximum bond of $1,000.00)", which is refunded after final inspection. The page says "Inspections for any structure are to be called into the Township office during regular business hours." and "If you are not ready for the inspection when you requested it, a re-inspection fee will be charged". The township hall is at 1732 Bauman Road, Columbus, MI 48063, phone 586-727-2055, open Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 2 pm. No building fee schedule is posted on the pages read, so ask the office for the current permit fee.

Roof code checklist: Township of Columbus, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYescolumbustwpmi.gov2026-10-12
Repair permit thresholdPublishedcolumbustwpmi.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. 27.3ars.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
Township of Columbus, St. Clair County, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
1732 Bauman Road, Columbus, MI 48063
Contact
  • url: https://www.columbustwpmi.gov/building
  • phone: 586-727-2055
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: Section 27.9 of the township's code says no person shall "engage in the business of code work unless such person(s), firm or corporation shall have received from the State of Michigan an appropriate license as applicable" and requires "providing the license with the Building Department and obtaining the proper permit from the Building Department"; that step files the state credential and the township sets no registration of its own. The township's Building Permit Application asks the contractor for a builders license number and expiration date, a federal employer ID number "(or reason for exemption)", workers comp insurance and an unemployment insurance agency employer account number.
Permit process note
In Columbus Township a reroof is an application to the township office: the Building page says "Applications to build are available in the office during regular business hours, or can be printed from the links below." and "An application fee of $75.00 is required when turning in building permits which will be applied to your permit fees. If mailing please enclose a check for $75.00!" The application asks for the "ESTIMATED PROJECT COST (REQUIRED FOR PERMIT FEES)" and the contractor's builders license number, and says "A permit shall become invalid if the authorized work is not commenced within 180 days after issuance of the permit". Chapter 12 of the township code adds a bond: "Every applicant for a residential building permit shall deposit with the Building Inspector" "a fee (bond) in the amount of one (1%) percent of the estimated cost (from a minimum bond of $100.00 to a maximum bond of $1,000.00)", which is refunded after final inspection. The page says "Inspections for any structure are to be called into the Township office during regular business hours." and "If you are not ready for the inspection when you requested it, a re-inspection fee will be charged". The township hall is at 1732 Bauman Road, Columbus, MI 48063, phone 586-727-2055, open Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 2 pm. No building fee schedule is posted on the pages read, so ask the office for the current permit fee.
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 Columbus in St. Clair County as its own building code enforcer. Section 27.3 of the township's Code of Ordinances, titled "Adoption of the Current Versions of the Following Codes" (code amended through February 29, 2024), lists "2015 Michigan Residential Code with Amendments: International Residential Code 2015 (IRC 2015)" among the codes the township adopts by reference. The township's Building page says "The Township Board adopted the State of Michigan Building Codes and we must follow the States rules and guidelines."
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). Chapters 12, 26 and 27 of the Columbus Township Code of Ordinances, the Building page and the Building Permit Application 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). Chapters 12, 26 and 27 of the Columbus Township Code of Ordinances, the Building page and the Building Permit Application 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." Chapters 12, 26 and 27 of the Columbus Township Code of Ordinances, the Building page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
No size or cost point is published below which roof work needs no permit in Columbus Township. The township's Building Permit Application, form BCC-324 as the township prints it, asks for the "PROJECT TYPE (NEW HOME, POLE BARN, ADDITION, ROOFING ETC.)", which lists roofing as a project the application covers. The Building page says "Columbus Township is a zoned community requiring building permits." and "The typical permits issued are for barns, homes, garages, additions, decks and ponds.", a list that does not name roofing. Section 27.13 of the township code adds "A set of construction documents is required with each application for a permit. The submission of construction documents may be waived by the building official when code compliance can be determined based on the description in the application." Under state law, "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit" and "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," (MCL 125.1510), without a definition of ordinary repairs, and the township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. For a small patch, ask the township office at 586-727-2055 before starting.
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 building ordinances were read: Chapter 27 (Construction and Building Codes) in full, with Chapter 12 (Building Permit Bond) and Chapter 26 (Commercial Building Occupancy and Inspection Program); the township's whole Code of Ordinances (29 chapters, amended through February 29, 2024) was searched for roofing provisions. Chapter 27 adopts the 2015 Michigan codes by reference and sets administration, permits, appeals and penalties; none of these chapters has a reroofing provision or amends anything in Section R908. The Building page and the Building 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). Chapters 12, 26 and 27 of the Columbus Township Code of Ordinances, the Building page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on roof decks or 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 Columbus Township Building page or in its code of ordinances changes this.

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Columbus Township, in St. Clair County, with its township hall at 1732 Bauman Road, takes building permit applications at the township office and enforces the state construction code itself: Chapter 27 of its Code of Ordinances (Construction and Building Codes) designates the township as the enforcing agency and adopts the 2015 Michigan codes by reference, and the State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the Township as its own building code enforcer. Columbus Township in Luce County is a different jurisdiction. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

Working an insurance claim in Township of Columbus, 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: Township of Columbus, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Columbus, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Columbus, MI. No size or cost point is published below which roof work needs no permit in Columbus Township. The township's Building Permit Application, form BCC-324 as the township prints it, asks for the "PROJECT TYPE (NEW HOME, POLE BARN, ADDITION, ROOFING ETC.)", which lists roofing as a project the application covers. The Building page says "Columbus Township is a zoned community requiring building permits." and "The typical permits issued are for barns, homes, garages, additions, decks and ponds.", a list that does not name roofing. Section 27.13 of the township code adds "A set of construction documents is required with each application for a permit. The submission of construction documents may be waived by the building official when code compliance can be determined based on the description in the application." Under state law, "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit" and "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," (MCL 125.1510), without a definition of ordinary repairs, and the township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. For a small patch, ask the township office at 586-727-2055 before starting.

Is ice & water shield required in Township of Columbus, 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). Chapters 12, 26 and 27 of the Columbus Township Code of Ordinances, the Building page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Township of Columbus, 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). Chapters 12, 26 and 27 of the Columbus Township Code of Ordinances, the Building page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Columbus, 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 building ordinances were read: Chapter 27 (Construction and Building Codes) in full, with Chapter 12 (Building Permit Bond) and Chapter 26 (Commercial Building Occupancy and Inspection Program); the township's whole Code of Ordinances (29 chapters, amended through February 29, 2024) was searched for roofing provisions. Chapter 27 adopts the 2015 Michigan codes by reference and sets administration, permits, appeals and penalties; none of these chapters has a reroofing provision or amends anything in Section R908. The Building page and the Building Permit Application state no layer rule.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Township of Columbus, MI?

Yes.

What building code does Township of Columbus, 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 Columbus in St. Clair County as its own building code enforcer. Section 27.3 of the township's Code of Ordinances, titled "Adoption of the Current Versions of the Following Codes" (code amended through February 29, 2024), lists "2015 Michigan Residential Code with Amendments: International Residential Code 2015 (IRC 2015)" among the codes the township adopts by reference. The township's Building page says "The Township Board adopted the State of Michigan Building Codes and we must follow the States rules and guidelines."