Do you need a permit to replace a roof in East Grand Rapids, MI?

Roofing questions: East Grand Rapids, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in East Grand Rapids, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in East Grand Rapids, MI. Neither East Grand Rapids nor Cascade publishes a size or dollar line below which roof work needs no permit. State law requires that "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" (MCL 125.1510(1)), defines construction to mean "the construction, erection, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, demolition, repair, moving, or equipping of buildings or structures" (MCL 125.1502a(n)), and says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure." (MCL 125.1510(7)) without defining ordinary repairs; the permit exemptions in the Michigan Residential Code name no roofing. The city says "Building permits are required for most home improvement projects, including new home construction, garages, additions, decks, roofing, siding, window replacement, and interior remodeling", and Cascade's FAQ answers "Is a building permit required for roofing or siding?" with "Yes. You will need to fill out a roofing/siding worksheet and a Building Permit application.", so plan on a permit for any reroof in East Grand Rapids.

Is ice & water shield required in East Grand 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). Cascade's roofing worksheet asks the applicant to state the ice barrier, and states nothing further on it.

Is drip edge required in East Grand 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). Cascade's roofing worksheet and FAQ state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in East Grand 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." East Grand Rapids's own codified building chapter, Chapter 80 Building Code, was read for this record; it adopts the State Construction Code by reference and contains no local reroofing or layer rule, so the state rule stands. Cascade's roofing worksheet asks how many layers are on the roof and whether it will be torn off.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in East Grand Rapids, MI?

Yes.

What building code does East Grand 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 City of East Grand Rapids as its own building code enforcer, and the city has designated Cascade Township's Building Inspection Services Department as its building official. Cascade's list of currently adopted codes names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, effective 2/8/16. The city's own codified building chapter, Chapter 80 Building Code, has no local roofing provision.