Permitting Authorities / Franklin County - Building Inspections Office
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Franklin County, VA?
Adopted code
Franklin County - Building Inspections Office
No, Franklin County, VA does not require a permit for like-for-like roof replacement (Franklin County - Building Inspections Office). Franklin County's Building Inspections FAQ, under "When is a permit not required?", says "Common exemptions that do not require a permit are as follows:" and, under "When ordinary repairs are made such as:", lists "Replacement of roof coverings or siding in Single Family Dwellings". The same FAQ says "Permits are required before starting work that is not exempt from the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code" and "If you require clarification if concerning work requiring a building permit, please contact the Franklin County Building Inspections Department between 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday at 540-483-3047." County Code Sec. 5-26 provides "Ordinary repairs shall be exempt from the permit requirements provided that there are no violations of the Uniform Statewide Building Code." and "All exceptions are subject to building official concurrence." The state rule the County applies is Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 (2021 USBC), item 14.5: "Replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering or siding in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 provided the building or structure is not in an area where the nominal design wind speed is greater than 100 miles per hour (44.7 meters per second) and replacement of 100 square feet (9.29 m2) or less of roof covering in all groups and all wind zones." and item 14.6: "Replacement of 256 square feet (23.78 m2) or less of roof decking in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 unless the decking to be replaced was required at the time or original construction to be fire-retardant-treated or protected in some other way to form a fire-rated wall termination." Section 108.2 carries two exceptions: "1. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for the installation of replacement siding, roofing and windows in buildings within a historic district designated by a locality pursuant to Section 15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia." and "2. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for any items exempted in this section which are located in a special flood hazard area." A house in a locally designated historic district or a special flood hazard area may therefore be asked for a permit. Section 108.2 also provides that "when an owner or an owner's agent requests that a permit be issued for any of the following, then a permit shall be issued and any related inspections shall be required." The County's FAQ does not repeat item 14.5's nominal wind speed condition; the County states its wind speed two ways (a "90 miles per hour wind zone" in the FAQ and 115 mph "V3s" on its Local Design Criteria sheet), neither labelled nominal, and this record does not convert either figure. The County's permit fee schedule (County Code Sec. 5-27) has no roofing fee line. Where work that needs a permit starts first, the County charges "a sum equal to twice the normal permit fee up to a maximum of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00)" (Sec. 5-27(u)). Where a permit is needed, apply through the County's OpenGov permit portal or at the Building Inspections Office, 1255 Franklin Street, Suite 103, Rocky Mount.
Roof code checklist: Franklin County, VA
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
Franklin County, Virginia
Address
1255 Franklin Street, Suite 103, Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Contact
- url: https://www.franklincountyva.gov/204/Building-Inspections
- phone: 540-483-3047
Roofing permit required
Not required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
- state_level: Virginia licenses contractors through the Board for Contractors. Va. Code 54.1-1100, as amended by 2025 Acts ch. 127: "'Class C contractors' perform or manage construction, removal, repair, or improvements when (i) the total value referred to in a single contract or project is over $1,000 but less than $30,000, or (ii) the total value of all such construction, removal, repair, or improvements undertaken by such person within any 12-month period is less than $250,000." Classes A and B cover larger contracts. Roofing is licensed under the Roofing Contracting (ROC) specialty, defined in 18VAC50-22-30 as "the service that provides for the installation, repair, removal, or improvement of materials common to the industry that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for roofs and decks", which also says "The CBC and RBC classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this function." Older pages giving a $10,000 Class C floor predate the 2025 amendment. Va. Code 54.1-1101 A lists who the chapter does not apply to, including "7. Any person who performs or supervises the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by him and for his own use during any 24-month period"; this record does not decide whether any reader falls within an exemption. Va. Code 54.1-1111 A requires a permit applicant to furnish "satisfactory proof to such official or authority that he is duly licensed or certified under the terms of this chapter to carry out or superintend the same, or (ii) file a written statement that he is not subject to licensure or certification as a contractor or subcontractor pursuant to this chapter."
- county_level: Franklin County sets no roofing licence, bond or contractor registration of its own; Chapter 5 of the County Code (Building Regulations) adopts the statewide building code and sets permit fees only. The County's FAQ says "Landowners, contractors, or agents may apply for the Building Permit", and that anyone who proceeds past an inspection without the department's approval is subject to "Notices of Violation, referral to the Virginia Board for Contractors, and other legal action". A County business registration with the Commissioner of the Revenue is a separate matter and is not a trade credential.
Permit process note
Franklin County's Building Inspections FAQ, under "When is a permit not required?", says "Common exemptions that do not require a permit are as follows:" and, under "When ordinary repairs are made such as:", lists "Replacement of roof coverings or siding in Single Family Dwellings". The same FAQ says "Permits are required before starting work that is not exempt from the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code" and "If you require clarification if concerning work requiring a building permit, please contact the Franklin County Building Inspections Department between 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday at 540-483-3047." County Code Sec. 5-26 provides "Ordinary repairs shall be exempt from the permit requirements provided that there are no violations of the Uniform Statewide Building Code." and "All exceptions are subject to building official concurrence." The state rule the County applies is Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 (2021 USBC), item 14.5: "Replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering or siding in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 provided the building or structure is not in an area where the nominal design wind speed is greater than 100 miles per hour (44.7 meters per second) and replacement of 100 square feet (9.29 m2) or less of roof covering in all groups and all wind zones." and item 14.6: "Replacement of 256 square feet (23.78 m2) or less of roof decking in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 unless the decking to be replaced was required at the time or original construction to be fire-retardant-treated or protected in some other way to form a fire-rated wall termination." Section 108.2 carries two exceptions: "1. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for the installation of replacement siding, roofing and windows in buildings within a historic district designated by a locality pursuant to Section 15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia." and "2. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for any items exempted in this section which are located in a special flood hazard area." A house in a locally designated historic district or a special flood hazard area may therefore be asked for a permit. Section 108.2 also provides that "when an owner or an owner's agent requests that a permit be issued for any of the following, then a permit shall be issued and any related inspections shall be required." The County's FAQ does not repeat item 14.5's nominal wind speed condition; the County states its wind speed two ways (a "90 miles per hour wind zone" in the FAQ and 115 mph "V3s" on its Local Design Criteria sheet), neither labelled nominal, and this record does not convert either figure. The County's permit fee schedule (County Code Sec. 5-27) has no roofing fee line. Where work that needs a permit starts first, the County charges "a sum equal to twice the normal permit fee up to a maximum of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00)" (Sec. 5-27(u)). Where a permit is needed, apply through the County's OpenGov permit portal or at the Building Inspections Office, 1255 Franklin Street, Suite 103, Rocky Mount.
Adopted code
The 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC, 13VAC5-63), effective January 18, 2024, applies in Franklin County. For detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, Virginia Construction Code Section 310.6.1 applies "The provisions of the IRC for detached one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses as amended by VCC Section 310.8, also referred to as the Virginia Residential Code (VRC)"; work on existing buildings falls under the Virginia Existing Building Code (USBC Part II). Va. Code 36-98 provides that the USBC "shall supersede the building codes and regulations of the counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions and state agencies". County Code Sec. 5-22(a) provides "There is hereby adopted by reference the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Volume I", naming no edition, and says it applies "to existing and proposed buildings or structures in the county, including the towns of Rocky Mount and Boones Mill upon request by their respective councils"; the County's Building Inspections page says a building permit must be obtained from the Building Official for work "in Franklin County, the Town of Boones Mill and the Town of Rocky Mount". The Department's own sheet "SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE 2021 RESIDENTIAL CODES" (revised March 2025) states "Adopted in Virginia on Jan 18, 2024". Two older County publications still name earlier editions: the Building Inspections FAQ, under "What codes are adopted in Virginia?", describes the 2015 codes adopted in 2018, and the Local Design Criteria sheet (form revised June 14, 2023) says it is "in accordance with the 2018 editions of the Virginia USBC". Neither is a County adoption of those editions. As read on September 26, 2026, a 2024 edition of the USBC is in rulemaking and has not been adopted.
Ice & water shield
Not required — Franklin County's Local Design Criteria sheet ("Local Design Criteria for Franklin County"), which gives the County's entries for the Virginia Residential Code climatic design table (Table R301.2(1)), answers "No" in the "Ice Shield Req?" column on the Franklin County row. The sheet (form revised June 14, 2023) says it is "in accordance with the 2018 editions of the Virginia USBC"; it is the County's current published design criteria sheet, linked from its Forms for Building page. No ice barrier is required by the County's table; a manufacturer's installation instructions may still call for one.
About ice & water barrierImpact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither the 2021 Virginia Residential Code amendments (Virginia Construction Code Section 310.8, 13VAC5-63) nor Franklin County's own building provisions (County Code Chapter 5, Building Regulations, which adopts the statewide code and sets permit fees, and the Department's published design criteria sheet and FAQ) contain a UL 2218 or Class 4 impact rating requirement for roof coverings; no such requirement appears in the state code or in the County's code.
Repair permit threshold
Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 (2021 USBC), item 14.5: "Replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering or siding in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 provided the building or structure is not in an area where the nominal design wind speed is greater than 100 miles per hour (44.7 meters per second) and replacement of 100 square feet (9.29 m2) or less of roof covering in all groups and all wind zones." Item 14.6: "Replacement of 256 square feet (23.78 m2) or less of roof decking in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 unless the decking to be replaced was required at the time or original construction to be fire-retardant-treated or protected in some other way to form a fire-rated wall termination." Exceptions: "1. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for the installation of replacement siding, roofing and windows in buildings within a historic district designated by a locality pursuant to Section 15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia." "2. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for any items exempted in this section which are located in a special flood hazard area." An owner may still ask for a permit: "when an owner or an owner's agent requests that a permit be issued for any of the following, then a permit shall be issued and any related inspections shall be required." Franklin County's Building Inspections FAQ lists "Replacement of roof coverings or siding in Single Family Dwellings" among ordinary repairs that do not require a permit, and County Code Sec. 5-26 exempts "Ordinary repairs" from the permit requirements "provided that there are no violations of the Uniform Statewide Building Code", adding "All exceptions are subject to building official concurrence." The FAQ does not repeat item 14.5's nominal wind speed condition, and the County publishes no nominal design wind speed (its FAQ gives a "90 miles per hour wind zone" and its design criteria sheet 115 mph "V3s"). The FAQ lists "Installations or alterations that involve any wall or structural component" as work that requires a permit, and replacing more than 256 square feet of roof decking falls outside item 14.6. Permitted alteration work on a house is priced at "five dollars ($5.00) per thousand dollars ($1,000.00) of value", minimum $60.00 (County Code Sec. 5-27(d)), plus a plan review fee of 10 percent where drawings are required and the 2% state surcharge. The County sets no roofing fee of its own.
Wind design criteria
Franklin County's Local Design Criteria sheet (form revised June 14, 2023) gives these "Residential 1&2 Family Construction Design Parameters" under "VRC Table R301.2 (1)" for the Franklin County row: Ground Snow Load 25 psf; Wind Speed "MPH V3s" 115; Seismic Design Category B; Weathering Severe; Frost Depth 18 inches; Termite "Moderate - Heavy"; Decay "Slight - Moderate"; Winter Design Temp 16 degrees F; Ice Shield Req? No; Flood Hazards per its Note 4 ("Entered NFIP-1974 Current FIRM adopted- 09/28/2007 Community Number- 510060 (Franklin County)"). Its additional design information lists "Wind Exposure (IBC Sec. 1609.4) - Category B", Climate Zone 4, Mean Annual Temperature 55 degrees and Air Freezing Index 250. The sheet says it "is in accordance with the 2018 editions of the Virginia USBC, the International Building Code and the International Residential Code." The County's Building Inspections FAQ, under "What are some building requirements specific to the county?", says instead "Wind Load - Franklin County is located in a 90 miles per hour wind zone". Neither document says whether its figure is a nominal or an ultimate design wind speed, which are different bases, so do not compare either figure directly with the 100 mph nominal-speed line in the statewide reroof permit exemption, and check the current figure with the Building Inspections Office (540-483-3047) before relying on one for fastening.
Deck & sheathing requirements
Franklin County enforces the 2021 Virginia Residential Code and has no building code of its own. Virginia's residential amendments (Virginia Construction Code Section 310.8) make no change to the roof sheathing provisions of the IRC (Section R803), so those provisions apply as the model code states them; Franklin County Code Chapter 5 adds nothing on roof decking. For permits, the statewide exemption covers "Replacement of 256 square feet (23.78 m2) or less of roof decking" on a house unless that decking had to be fire-retardant-treated or otherwise protected at the time of original construction.
Sales & use tax
5.3% general sales and use tax in Franklin County (Virginia Tax, "Sales Tax Rates by Locality" workbook, "January 1, 2026 - Present" sheet: Franklin County, code 51067, General Sales 0.053). That is the 4.3% state tax (Code of Virginia Section 58.1-603) and the 1% local option tax (Section 58.1-605); Franklin County is in none of the regional add-on areas. The independent City of Franklin is a separate locality (code 51620) with a 6% general rate; that rate does not apply in Franklin County. Food and personal hygiene items are taxed at 1% statewide. Virginia treats the roofing contractor as the consumer of the materials: "Unless otherwise noted, the law treats every contractor as the user or consumer of all tangible personal property furnished to the contractor or by the contractor in connection with real property construction, reconstruction, installation, repair, and similar contracts" (23VAC10-210-410). So the roofer pays the tax on shingles and other materials when buying them and "does not pass the sales or use tax on to anyone else as a tax"; "If a supplier of a contractor doing work in Virginia does not collect the Virginia tax from the contractor, the contractor will be liable for the use tax on the contractor's purchases from the supplier." Repair and full replacement are treated alike.
More roof permit pages in Virginia
Related guides
The building department of Franklin County, Virginia, in Rocky Mount. The Building Inspections Office issues building permits and inspects construction under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code in the unincorporated county and in the Towns of Rocky Mount and Boones Mill. The independent City of Franklin, in southeastern Virginia, is a separate jurisdiction and is not served by this office.
Hail reports near the center of Franklin County, VA
- Reports, last 24 months
- 2
- Largest, last 24 months
- 1.00 in May 16, 2025
- Most recent
- May 16, 2025 1.00 in
- Reports, last 5 years
- 3
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database and daily storm reports (reports since the start of the current year are preliminary), within 10 miles of the center of Franklin County, VA. Data through Sep 30, 2026. A report is an observation, not a damage record.
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