The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Farmington Hills - Building Division

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

Adopted code

City of Farmington Hills - Building Division

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Farmington Hills, MI, issued by City of Farmington Hills - Building Division. A re-roof in Farmington Hills needs a building permit: the Building Division lists roofing among the jobs that require one. Permits are applied for through BS&A Online, and "Contractors MUST REGISTER for a BS&A Online Account." The division says "a homeowner may only pull permits in lieu of a licensed contractor if they are the registered legal homeowner, the home is the primary residence, and they reside in the house." The building permit fee schedule (effective July 1, 2023) prices a permit by valuation: $100.00 for the first $1,000, then $9.00 per thousand up to $50,000 and $8.00 per thousand above that, with a refundable clean-up bond on other residential work that starts at $50.00 for work up to $5,000. "When work is started prior to the issuance of a permit, the fee charged shall be twice the normal permit fee." The Building Division is at City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336, 248-871-2450; City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Roof code checklist: Farmington Hills, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesfhgov.com2026-10-02
Repair permit thresholdPublishedfhgov.com2026-10-02
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. 7-26ars.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 Farmington Hills, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Contact
  • url: https://www.fhgov.com/department-and-services/planning-and-community-development/building/
  • phone: 248-871-2450
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: The Farmington Hills Building Division says it "is also responsible for registering all contractors who perform work in the City", and its online permit instructions say "Contractors MUST REGISTER for a BS&A Online Account."
Permit process note
A re-roof in Farmington Hills needs a building permit: the Building Division lists roofing among the jobs that require one. Permits are applied for through BS&A Online, and "Contractors MUST REGISTER for a BS&A Online Account." The division says "a homeowner may only pull permits in lieu of a licensed contractor if they are the registered legal homeowner, the home is the primary residence, and they reside in the house." The building permit fee schedule (effective July 1, 2023) prices a permit by valuation: $100.00 for the first $1,000, then $9.00 per thousand up to $50,000 and $8.00 per thousand above that, with a refundable clean-up bond on other residential work that starts at $50.00 for work up to $5,000. "When work is started prior to the issuance of a permit, the fee charged shall be twice the normal permit fee." The Building Division is at City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336, 248-871-2450; City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
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 Farmington Hills as its own building code enforcer. City Code Section 7-26 says "the city hereby assumes the responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the State of Michigan Construction Codes throughout its corporate limits" and names no edition; the Building Division's new-house instructions call for a "2015 Michigan Residential Code Energy Worksheet".
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). Farmington Hills' building ordinance, City Code Chapter 7 (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). Farmington Hills' building ordinance, City Code Chapter 7 (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." Farmington Hills' building ordinance, City Code Chapter 7 (read in full), adopts the state codes and adds no roof-covering rule; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in it.
Repair permit threshold
Farmington Hills names roofing as permit work: its Building Division lists "Roofing" among the "examples of instances when a building permit is required", beside siding and window and exterior door replacement. The same page lists the jobs that need no building permit (playhouses, playground equipment, wading pools, patios, flag poles and basketball backboards), gives no size, square or dollar point below which roof repair needs no permit, and says "Contact the Building Division at (248) 871-2450 with questions regarding permit requirements." City Code Chapter 7 (Buildings and Building Regulations), read in full, takes on enforcement of the state codes and sets no repair threshold of its own. The state part: Michigan's construction code act says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" and does not define ordinary repairs. For a small repair, ask the Building Division 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." Farmington Hills' own building ordinance, City Code Chapter 7 (Buildings and Building Regulations), was read in full: its Article II takes on enforcement of the state construction codes and adds only reference definitions, a floodplain designation and Appendix G of the building code, and nothing in the chapter touches 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). Farmington Hills' building ordinance, City Code Chapter 7 (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 Farmington Hills adds no sales tax of its own, so 6% is the whole rate on a job there.

More roof permit pages in Michigan

Flint, MIRoof permit Grand Rapids, MIRoof permit Kalamazoo, MIRoof permit Livingston County - Building DepartmentRoof permit Livonia, MIRoof permit

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Denver-Metro Roofing Permits Filing a Hail Insurance Claim Colorado Hail Season Prep Hiring a Contractor

The City of Farmington Hills' Building Division, in the Department of Planning and Community Development at City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, reviews plans, issues building and trade permits, inspects the work and registers contractors in Farmington Hills. It lists roofing among the jobs that need 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: Farmington Hills, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Farmington Hills, MI. Farmington Hills names roofing as permit work: its Building Division lists "Roofing" among the "examples of instances when a building permit is required", beside siding and window and exterior door replacement. The same page lists the jobs that need no building permit (playhouses, playground equipment, wading pools, patios, flag poles and basketball backboards), gives no size, square or dollar point below which roof repair needs no permit, and says "Contact the Building Division at (248) 871-2450 with questions regarding permit requirements." City Code Chapter 7 (Buildings and Building Regulations), read in full, takes on enforcement of the state codes and sets no repair threshold of its own. The state part: Michigan's construction code act says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" and does not define ordinary repairs. For a small repair, ask the Building Division before starting.

Is ice & water shield required in Farmington Hills, 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). Farmington Hills' building ordinance, City Code Chapter 7 (read in full), states nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Farmington Hills, 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). Farmington Hills' building ordinance, City Code Chapter 7 (read in full), states nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Farmington Hills, 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." Farmington Hills' own building ordinance, City Code Chapter 7 (Buildings and Building Regulations), was read in full: its Article II takes on enforcement of the state construction codes and adds only reference definitions, a floodplain designation and Appendix G of the building code, and nothing in the chapter touches the reroofing section, so the state limit applies unchanged.

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

Yes.

What building code does Farmington Hills, 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 Farmington Hills as its own building code enforcer. City Code Section 7-26 says "the city hereby assumes the responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the State of Michigan Construction Codes throughout its corporate limits" and names no edition; the Building Division's new-house instructions call for a "2015 Michigan Residential Code Energy Worksheet".