The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Flat Rock - Department of Building and Safety

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

Adopted code

City of Flat Rock - Department of Building and Safety

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Flat Rock, MI, issued by City of Flat Rock - Department of Building and Safety. A reroof in Flat Rock is permit work. The City's Building and Zoning Permits Fee Schedule, approved by the City Council on 11/03/2025, prices "Building valuation fees: (INCLUDES- CONCRETE PROJECTS, DRIVEWAY, PATIO, SIDEWALK, ROOF, PORCH, SIDING, SHED, WINDOWS)" at "Minimum for first $1,000: $75" and "$1,001 to $50,000: $75 + $10 for each additional $1,000", and every permit also pays "an administration fee of $45.00." The department's page says "Before any projects are started a Building/Zoning Permit is required," and that work done without a permit draws a "Civil Municipal Infraction." The building permit application asks for the "Type of Work to be Performed" and the "Estimated Cost of Project", and says "Customer contract with signature and Plot Plan with all existing and proposed building must be submitted with application"; it still prints an older line, "Minimum permit fee is $65.00 (plus non-refundable $45.00 administrative fee)", so confirm the current fee with the department. Applications go to the building department by email, by mail to city hall or in the drop box, and permits can be paid online. Building inspections run "Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm", and the office is open "8:00 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday", phone (734) 782-0445.

Roof code checklist: Flat Rock, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYes11-03-25-10 Building and Zoning F...2026-10-03
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. 18-31ars.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 Flat Rock, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
25500 Gibraltar Road, Flat Rock, MI 48134
Contact
  • url: https://www.flatrockmi.org/departments/building_and_safety/index.php
  • phone: 734-782-0445
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: Flat Rock registers contractors: its Contractor Registration form asks for the contractor licence number and workers compensation carrier, and for residential building contractors lists who may pull permits ("only the contractor and the following names will be allowed to obtain permits").
Permit process note
A reroof in Flat Rock is permit work. The City's Building and Zoning Permits Fee Schedule, approved by the City Council on 11/03/2025, prices "Building valuation fees: (INCLUDES- CONCRETE PROJECTS, DRIVEWAY, PATIO, SIDEWALK, ROOF, PORCH, SIDING, SHED, WINDOWS)" at "Minimum for first $1,000: $75" and "$1,001 to $50,000: $75 + $10 for each additional $1,000", and every permit also pays "an administration fee of $45.00." The department's page says "Before any projects are started a Building/Zoning Permit is required," and that work done without a permit draws a "Civil Municipal Infraction." The building permit application asks for the "Type of Work to be Performed" and the "Estimated Cost of Project", and says "Customer contract with signature and Plot Plan with all existing and proposed building must be submitted with application"; it still prints an older line, "Minimum permit fee is $65.00 (plus non-refundable $45.00 administrative fee)", so confirm the current fee with the department. Applications go to the building department by email, by mail to city hall or in the drop box, and permits can be paid online. Building inspections run "Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm", and the office is open "8:00 AM-4:30 PM Monday-Friday", phone (734) 782-0445.
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 18-31 of the Flat Rock Code of Ordinances designates "the director of building and safety of the City of Flat Rock" as the enforcing agency under Act 230 of 1972, and the code refers to the Michigan Residential Code without naming a different 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 City of Flat Rock's Building and Safety pages, its building permit application, its fee schedule approved November 3, 2025 and Chapter 18 of its code 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 City of Flat Rock's Building and Safety pages, its building permit application, its fee schedule approved November 3, 2025 and Chapter 18 of its code 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 City of Flat Rock's Building and Safety pages, its building permit application, its fee schedule approved November 3, 2025 and Chapter 18 of its code 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 Flat Rock's own building ordinance, Chapter 18 of the Flat Rock Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, which designates the enforcing agency and adopts the property maintenance code), was read in full: it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908, and the City's permit application 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). The City of Flat Rock's Building and Safety pages, its building permit application, its fee schedule approved November 3, 2025 and Chapter 18 of its code 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 City of Flat Rock's permit pages changes this.

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The City of Flat Rock's Department of Building and Safety, at 25500 Gibraltar Road, issues building and zoning permits and inspects construction in the city. Section 18-31 of the Flat Rock Code of Ordinances designates the director of building and safety as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act, and the City's fee schedule lists roof work among the jobs priced as building permits. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Flat Rock, MI

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

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

Is ice & water shield required in Flat Rock, 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 City of Flat Rock's Building and Safety pages, its building permit application, its fee schedule approved November 3, 2025 and Chapter 18 of its code were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Flat Rock, 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 Flat Rock's Building and Safety pages, its building permit application, its fee schedule approved November 3, 2025 and Chapter 18 of its code were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Flat Rock, 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 Flat Rock's own building ordinance, Chapter 18 of the Flat Rock Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, which designates the enforcing agency and adopts the property maintenance code), was read in full: it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908, and the City's permit application and fee schedule state no layer rule.

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

Yes.

What building code does Flat Rock, 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 18-31 of the Flat Rock Code of Ordinances designates "the director of building and safety of the City of Flat Rock" as the enforcing agency under Act 230 of 1972, and the code refers to the Michigan Residential Code without naming a different edition.