The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Grand Rapids - Development Center (Building Inspections Division)

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

Adopted code

City of Grand Rapids - Development Center (Building Inspections Division)

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Grand Rapids, MI, issued by City of Grand Rapids - Development Center (Building Inspections Division). A residential re-roof in Grand Rapids needs a building permit ("If you are planning to re-roof/re-side a residential property, you will need a residential building permit"). The permit page says "To apply, you must be the owner and occupant or a licensed residential builder", or have a written authorization from a license holder, and that homeowners applying for their own permit should apply in person. "Uploaded plans are required"; they need to show the location, size and detail of the project, and they are uploaded through the city's ePlan Room after the application is submitted. The value of improvements counts building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other costs and construction labor. Apply online through the Accela Citizen Access portal, on the paper form, or in person; the city does not take applications over the phone and sends the approved permit by email. Fees: the city's fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 (Construction Code Administration Fees) sets "Residential Re-roofing" at a flat $66.00 under City Code Chapter 131, with the footnote "Flat fee permits available under Michigan Residential Code only; 2 inspections included; 2 may be combined for a $20 discount." Commercial re-roofing is $220.00. The Development Center is at 1120 Monroe Ave. NW, 3rd Floor, 616-456-4100, [email protected], Mon - Fri 7:30AM - 4PM.

Roof code checklist: Grand Rapids, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesgrandrapidsmi.gov2026-10-02
Repair permit thresholdPublishedgrandrapidsmi.gov2026-10-02
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 codePublishedars.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 Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
1120 Monroe Ave. NW, 3rd Floor (Development Center), Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Contact
  • url: https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/grow-and-thrive/development-center/
  • phone: 616-456-4100
  • email: [email protected]
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: Grand Rapids asks state licence holders to register the licence with the city before pulling permits: "If you have a State of Michigan license and want to apply for permits in Grand Rapids, you'll need to register it with the City." The city mails a registration card and publishes a list of registered contractors. The re-roof permit page says a non-owner applicant needs "A residential builder's license issued by the State of Michigan" or a written authorization from a license holder.
Permit process note
A residential re-roof in Grand Rapids needs a building permit ("If you are planning to re-roof/re-side a residential property, you will need a residential building permit"). The permit page says "To apply, you must be the owner and occupant or a licensed residential builder", or have a written authorization from a license holder, and that homeowners applying for their own permit should apply in person. "Uploaded plans are required"; they need to show the location, size and detail of the project, and they are uploaded through the city's ePlan Room after the application is submitted. The value of improvements counts building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other costs and construction labor. Apply online through the Accela Citizen Access portal, on the paper form, or in person; the city does not take applications over the phone and sends the approved permit by email. Fees: the city's fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 (Construction Code Administration Fees) sets "Residential Re-roofing" at a flat $66.00 under City Code Chapter 131, with the footnote "Flat fee permits available under Michigan Residential Code only; 2 inspections included; 2 may be combined for a $20 discount." Commercial re-roofing is $220.00. The Development Center is at 1120 Monroe Ave. NW, 3rd Floor, 616-456-4100, [email protected], Mon - Fri 7:30AM - 4PM.
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 Grand Rapids as its own building code enforcer, and the city's re-roof permit page says a permit "ensures the work meets our community's standards as defined in the Michigan residential building code and the City of Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance".
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 Grand Rapids re-roof permit page 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). The Grand Rapids re-roof permit page 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." The Grand Rapids re-roof permit page states no impact rule.
Repair permit threshold
Grand Rapids treats a residential re-roof as permit work: its re-roof permit page says "If you are planning to re-roof/re-side a residential property, you will need a residential building permit", the city lists a "Re-roof or Re-side - Residential Building Application" for a single-family home or duplex, and its fee schedule carries a dedicated "Residential Re-roofing" fee. None of the city's pages read for this record states a size, square or dollar point below which roof repair needs no permit. 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 patch, ask the Development Center (616-456-4100) 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." Locally, the Grand Rapids building ordinance, Chapter 131 of the City Code (General Building Regulations, Secs. 8.1 to 8.9), was read in full: it states "This Chapter sets forth procedures for the application and enforcement of the Michigan Building Code and the Michigan Residential Code" and touches nothing in R908. The city's re-roof permit page and fee schedule state no layer rule of their own.
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 Grand Rapids re-roof permit page states nothing further on roof decks or 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 same 6% applies in Grand Rapids.

More roof permit pages in Michigan

Kalamazoo, MIRoof permit Livingston County - Building DepartmentRoof permit Livonia, MIRoof permit Marquette County, MIRoof permit Novi, MIRoof permit

Related guides

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

The City of Grand Rapids issues building permits through its Development Center at 1120 Monroe Ave. NW, and it has a dedicated residential re-roof permit with a flat fee. Applications go through the city's Accela Citizen Access portal, online, on paper or in person. 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: Grand Rapids, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Grand Rapids, MI. Grand Rapids treats a residential re-roof as permit work: its re-roof permit page says "If you are planning to re-roof/re-side a residential property, you will need a residential building permit", the city lists a "Re-roof or Re-side - Residential Building Application" for a single-family home or duplex, and its fee schedule carries a dedicated "Residential Re-roofing" fee. None of the city's pages read for this record states a size, square or dollar point below which roof repair needs no permit. 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 patch, ask the Development Center (616-456-4100) before starting.

Is ice & water shield required in 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). The Grand Rapids re-roof permit page states nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in 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). The Grand Rapids re-roof permit page states nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in 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." Locally, the Grand Rapids building ordinance, Chapter 131 of the City Code (General Building Regulations, Secs. 8.1 to 8.9), was read in full: it states "This Chapter sets forth procedures for the application and enforcement of the Michigan Building Code and the Michigan Residential Code" and touches nothing in R908. The city's re-roof permit page and fee schedule state no layer rule of their own.

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

Yes.

What building code does 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 Grand Rapids as its own building code enforcer, and the city's re-roof permit page says a permit "ensures the work meets our community's standards as defined in the Michigan residential building code and the City of Grand Rapids Zoning Ordinance".