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Permitting Authorities / City of Farmington - Planning and Building Department

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

Adopted code

City of Farmington - Planning and Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Farmington, MI, issued by City of Farmington - Planning and Building Department. A reroof in Farmington is permit work: the department lists a dedicated Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet among its building forms, and the sheet says "All permit holders should schedule a rough inspection on the day the roof is to be started." It adds that "The inspector needs to inspect roof board or plywood replacement over 32 Sq Ft," that "Ice and Watershield or equivalent must be placed along the lowest portion of roof surfaces" to 24 inches inside the exterior wall line "in compliance with article 9 of the MRC," and that "Roof Venting must comply with the provisions of Article 8 of the MRC"; for the final inspection the roofer reports each attic area's square footage, whether ventilation is calculated at 1/150 or 1/300, the intake and exhaust vent area, and whether gable end vents exist and are closed off. The sheet still prints the City's older Liberty Street address. The City says "Anyone performing work requiring a building and/or trades permit must now apply online," through BS&A Online; contractors who are not registered email a contractor registration "AND a copy of your contractor's license." The building permit application asks for the "Value of Construction [(not cost) Contract Required]". The fee schedule prices "All Other Construction (Does not Include Plan Review Fees)" on the "Total Cost of Improvement": "To - $1,000" $50.00, then "$50.00 + $15 / $1,000 over $1,000". Inspections are booked online, and the department is open "Mon - Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm", phone 248-473-7250.

Roof code checklist: Farmington, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesroofing-inspection-requirements.pdf2026-10-03
Repair permit thresholdNot published
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-03
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-03
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-03
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-03
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-03
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 7-1ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-03
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-03
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-03

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, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
33720 W. Nine Mile Road, Farmington, MI 48335
Contact
  • url: https://www.farmgov.com/city-services/planning-and-building/
  • phone: 248-473-7250
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: Farmington registers contractors yearly: its fee schedule says "A current State License [PA 407 of 2016 or (equivalent- Detroit / Grand Rapids)] must be produced at time of registration / renewal", and its Contractor Registration form lists a $30.00 yearly building registration.
Permit process note
A reroof in Farmington is permit work: the department lists a dedicated Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet among its building forms, and the sheet says "All permit holders should schedule a rough inspection on the day the roof is to be started." It adds that "The inspector needs to inspect roof board or plywood replacement over 32 Sq Ft," that "Ice and Watershield or equivalent must be placed along the lowest portion of roof surfaces" to 24 inches inside the exterior wall line "in compliance with article 9 of the MRC," and that "Roof Venting must comply with the provisions of Article 8 of the MRC"; for the final inspection the roofer reports each attic area's square footage, whether ventilation is calculated at 1/150 or 1/300, the intake and exhaust vent area, and whether gable end vents exist and are closed off. The sheet still prints the City's older Liberty Street address. The City says "Anyone performing work requiring a building and/or trades permit must now apply online," through BS&A Online; contractors who are not registered email a contractor registration "AND a copy of your contractor's license." The building permit application asks for the "Value of Construction [(not cost) Contract Required]". The fee schedule prices "All Other Construction (Does not Include Plan Review Fees)" on the "Total Cost of Improvement": "To - $1,000" $50.00, then "$50.00 + $15 / $1,000 over $1,000". Inspections are booked online, and the department is open "Mon - Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm", phone 248-473-7250.
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." Locally, Section 7-1 of the Farmington Code of Ordinances designates the City's building inspectors as the enforcing agency and says "The city hereby assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the Act throughout its corporate limits"; it names no code edition, and the City's Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet cites "the MRC".
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 City of Farmington's building ordinance (Chapter 7 of its code), its Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet, its building permit application and its Chapters 9 and 10 fee schedule 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). Locally, the City's Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet repeats the rule: "Ice and Watershield or equivalent must be placed along the lowest portion of roof surfaces" to a point 24 inches inside the exterior wall line, "in compliance with article 9 of the MRC." 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 City of Farmington's building ordinance (Chapter 7 of its code), its Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet, its building permit application and its Chapters 9 and 10 fee schedule were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
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 City of Farmington's own building ordinance, Chapter 7 of the Farmington Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, which designates the enforcing agency, sets fee schedules by resolution and regulates moving buildings), was read in full: it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908, and the City's Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet and fee schedule 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). Locally, the City's Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet says "The inspector needs to inspect roof board or plywood replacement over 32 Sq Ft" and adds "(remember all replacement Ply of boards must be equal to or greater than three rafters)". The City's building ordinance, Chapter 7 of its code, 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." Nothing on the City of Farmington's permit pages changes this.

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The City of Farmington's Planning and Building Department, at 33720 W. Nine Mile Road, issues building permits, inspects construction and enforces codes in the city, with permits applied for online. The department publishes a Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet for roof permit holders. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Farmington, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Farmington, MI.

Is ice & water shield required in Farmington, 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). Locally, the City's Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet repeats the rule: "Ice and Watershield or equivalent must be placed along the lowest portion of roof surfaces" to a point 24 inches inside the exterior wall line, "in compliance with article 9 of the MRC."

Is drip edge required in Farmington, 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 City of Farmington's building ordinance (Chapter 7 of its code), its Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet, its building permit application and its Chapters 9 and 10 fee schedule were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Farmington, 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 City of Farmington's own building ordinance, Chapter 7 of the Farmington Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, which designates the enforcing agency, sets fee schedules by resolution and regulates moving buildings), was read in full: it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908, and the City's Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet and fee schedule state no layer rule.

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

Yes.

What building code does Farmington, 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." Locally, Section 7-1 of the Farmington Code of Ordinances designates the City's building inspectors as the enforcing agency and says "The city hereby assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the Act throughout its corporate limits"; it names no code edition, and the City's Roofing Inspection Requirements sheet cites "the MRC".