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Permitting Authorities / Township of Courtland - Building Permits

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

Adopted code

Township of Courtland - Building Permits

The Township of Courtland, Kent County, takes building permits and inspections through a contracted firm rather than its own staff: its building permits page names Imperial Municipal Services in Rockford as the office for building, plumbing, mechanical and zoning permits, and announces that Professional Code Inspections takes over all zoning and permitting services effective November 1, 2026. Chapter 9 of the township's Code of Ordinances has the township assume responsibility for enforcing the State Construction Code, and the State of Michigan's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Courtland as its own building code enforcer. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

Roof code checklist: Township of Courtland, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofNot published
Repair permit thresholdPublishedR105.2imsinspections.com2026-10-11
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
Township of Courtland, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
7450 14 Mile Road NE, Rockford, MI 49341
Contact
  • url: https://www.courtlandtwpmi.gov/1276/Building-Electrical-Plumbing-Mechanical-
  • phone: 616-866-0622
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 Township of Courtland posts no contractor registration of its own on the pages read. The building permit application issued through Imperial Municipal Services has a contractor section, marked "this information is REQUIRED by the State of Michigan", that 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. This record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside a state exemption.
Permit process note
Reroofs: Imperial Municipal Services, which issues Courtland Township's building permits, says "You do not need a building permit for re-roofs or re-siding; HOWEVER, you will need a permit if you intend to make structural changes to the boards underneath the siding or roofing." (FAQ page read October 11, 2026). That firm's page says "we issue all building and subtrade permits for Courtland Township", and the township's building permits page names it for building, plumbing, mechanical and zoning permits at 263 Northland Drive, Rockford, phone 616-863-9294 (toll free 800-442-2794), open "Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm". The township's page also announces: "Courtland Township will be working with Professional Code Inspections (PCI) for all zoning and permitting services." from November 1, 2026, at 6581 Belding Rd. NE, Suite 101, Rockford, phone 616-407-4980; the Professional Code Inspections pages read state nothing on reroofs, so call the township hall at 616-866-0622 or the firm before starting a roof job after that date. For jobs that need a permit, the building permit application (revised 7/24/2023) asks for three sets of plans, and says "Courtland Township Zoning application for Building permit (attached) must be completed." Its fee schedule is a base fee of $50.00 for work up to $1000 in value, $1.00 for each additional $100 up to $10,000, a base fee of $140.00 over $10,000 plus $3.00 for each additional $1000, and "Additional inspections, reinspections or hourly inspections will be charged at a rate of $50.00." The application warns "Work started without permit may be subject to double permit fees." and says "Inspections in Courtland Township are done every weekday." The township's enacted text names no roof work either way: Chapter 9 only assumes enforcement of the State Construction Code, and state law says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure." (MCL 125.1510), without defining ordinary repairs. The no-permit line is the issuing firm's stated practice, and the record does not decide whether it is the firm's reading of that clause.
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 Courtland as its own building code enforcer. Chapter 9 of the township's Code of Ordinances says "The Township shall assume responsibility for the enforcement and administration of the State Construction Code and its various subcategories as promulgated by the State Construction Code Commission", and names no code edition; Chapter 13 adopts the International Property Maintenance Code as "incorporated by reference in the current version of the Michigan Building Code as adopted and amended by the State of Michigan from time to time". The township's permits page and the building permit application name no residential code 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). The Township of Courtland building permits page, Chapters 9, 12 and 13 of its Code of Ordinances and the building permit application issued through Imperial Municipal Services 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 of Courtland building permits page, Chapters 9, 12 and 13 of its Code of Ordinances and the building permit application issued through Imperial Municipal Services 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 of Courtland building permits page, Chapters 9, 12 and 13 of its Code of Ordinances and the building permit application issued through Imperial Municipal Services were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
Imperial Municipal Services, the firm that issues Courtland Township's building permits, says in its Frequently Asked Questions page, read October 11, 2026: "You do not need a building permit for re-roofs or re-siding; HOWEVER, you will need a permit if you intend to make structural changes to the boards underneath the siding or roofing." The township's own pages say nothing about reroofs. The township's Code of Ordinances (Chapter 9) assumes enforcement of the State Construction Code and names no roof work, and 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; Michigan's amended Section R105.2 (Rule 505) lists the work exempt from a building permit and does not name roofing, and the township has no local amendment to it. The permit application's permit-type list (New Building, Alteration, Addition, Repair and others) and its fee schedule have no roofing line, and the application says "Plans are not required for alterations and repair work determined by the Building Inspector to be of a minor nature." The firm's FAQ is the issuing office's stated practice, and the record does not decide whether it is the office's reading of the state's ordinary repairs clause.
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, Chapters 9 (Building Code Enforcement), 12 (Housing Law) and 13 (International Property Maintenance Code) of the township's Code of Ordinances were read in full: Chapter 9 assumes enforcement of the State Construction Code, appoints building officials and creates a construction board of appeals, Chapter 12 adopts the state Housing Law by reference, and Chapter 13 adopts the International Property Maintenance Code with amendments to its administration, weed height, vehicle, window screen and heat supply sections. None has a reroofing provision, and none amends Section R908. Chapters 1, 19 and 20 were searched for roofing text and have none; the table of contents lists chapters 4 to 8 as reserved. The permits page and 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). The Township of Courtland building permits page, Chapters 9, 12 and 13 of its Code of Ordinances and the building permit application issued through Imperial Municipal Services 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 Township of Courtland building permits page changes this.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Township of Courtland, MI

When does a roof repair need a permit in Township of Courtland, MI?

Imperial Municipal Services, the firm that issues Courtland Township's building permits, says in its Frequently Asked Questions page, read October 11, 2026: "You do not need a building permit for re-roofs or re-siding; HOWEVER, you will need a permit if you intend to make structural changes to the boards underneath the siding or roofing." The township's own pages say nothing about reroofs. The township's Code of Ordinances (Chapter 9) assumes enforcement of the State Construction Code and names no roof work, and 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; Michigan's amended Section R105.2 (Rule 505) lists the work exempt from a building permit and does not name roofing, and the township has no local amendment to it. The permit application's permit-type list (New Building, Alteration, Addition, Repair and others) and its fee schedule have no roofing line, and the application says "Plans are not required for alterations and repair work determined by the Building Inspector to be of a minor nature." The firm's FAQ is the issuing office's stated practice, and the record does not decide whether it is the office's reading of the state's ordinary repairs clause.

Is ice & water shield required in Township of Courtland, 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 of Courtland building permits page, Chapters 9, 12 and 13 of its Code of Ordinances and the building permit application issued through Imperial Municipal Services were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Township of Courtland, 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 of Courtland building permits page, Chapters 9, 12 and 13 of its Code of Ordinances and the building permit application issued through Imperial Municipal Services were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Courtland, 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, Chapters 9 (Building Code Enforcement), 12 (Housing Law) and 13 (International Property Maintenance Code) of the township's Code of Ordinances were read in full: Chapter 9 assumes enforcement of the State Construction Code, appoints building officials and creates a construction board of appeals, Chapter 12 adopts the state Housing Law by reference, and Chapter 13 adopts the International Property Maintenance Code with amendments to its administration, weed height, vehicle, window screen and heat supply sections. None has a reroofing provision, and none amends Section R908. Chapters 1, 19 and 20 were searched for roofing text and have none; the table of contents lists chapters 4 to 8 as reserved. The permits page and building permit application state no layer rule.

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

Yes.

What building code does Township of Courtland, 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 Courtland as its own building code enforcer. Chapter 9 of the township's Code of Ordinances says "The Township shall assume responsibility for the enforcement and administration of the State Construction Code and its various subcategories as promulgated by the State Construction Code Commission", and names no code edition; Chapter 13 adopts the International Property Maintenance Code as "incorporated by reference in the current version of the Michigan Building Code as adopted and amended by the State of Michigan from time to time". The township's permits page and the building permit application name no residential code edition.