Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Grosse Pointe Shores, MI?

Roofing questions: Grosse Pointe Shores, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Grosse Pointe Shores, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Grosse Pointe Shores, MI. The Grosse Pointe Shores Building Department lists, under "Permits are required for the following:", "Replacing or repairing a roof". The city's permit fee schedule effective March 1, 2025 has its own "Roof" line, priced at "Permit Fee Based on Construction Value", and the city's application is a combined building, roof and waterproofing permit application. Under state law, "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure." (MCL 125.1510), without a definition of ordinary repairs.

Is ice & water shield required in Grosse Pointe Shores, 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's Building Department page, permit fee schedule and building permit application and Chapter 6 of its Code of Ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. Grosse Pointe Shores' building permit application (Rev 02/2025) cites "SECTION 107.6 BOCA CODE" in its plan requirements; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state and which the city's permit fee schedule effective March 1, 2025 cites as "Section R105 2015 MRC"; the BOCA text was not read (see adopted_code).

Is drip edge required in Grosse Pointe Shores, 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's Building Department page, permit fee schedule and building permit application and Chapter 6 of its Code of Ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. Grosse Pointe Shores' building permit application (Rev 02/2025) cites "SECTION 107.6 BOCA CODE" in its plan requirements; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state and which the city's permit fee schedule effective March 1, 2025 cites as "Section R105 2015 MRC"; the BOCA text was not read (see adopted_code).

Can you roof over an existing roof in Grosse Pointe Shores, 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's own building chapter, Chapter 6 of the Grosse Pointe Shores Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, as codified through Ordinance No. 282 of June 18, 2024), was read in full: it assumes enforcement of the state construction code, sets permits and fees, and adopts a property maintenance code, and it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The Building Department page, permit fee schedule and building permit application state no layer rule. Grosse Pointe Shores' building permit application (Rev 02/2025) cites "SECTION 107.6 BOCA CODE" in its plan requirements; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state and which the city's permit fee schedule effective March 1, 2025 cites as "Section R105 2015 MRC"; the BOCA text was not read (see adopted_code).

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Grosse Pointe Shores, MI?

Yes.

What building code does Grosse Pointe Shores, 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, LARA's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the City of Grosse Pointe Shores as its own building code enforcer. Section 6-31 of the city's Code of Ordinances assumes responsibility for administering and enforcing the state construction code act, and Section 6-34 ties permits to "the single state construction code"; neither names an edition. The city's permit fee schedule effective March 1, 2025 lists a "Zoning Compliance Permit Per Section R105 2015 MRC". The city's building permit application (Rev 02/2025) cites "SECTION 107.6 BOCA CODE" in its plan requirements; this directory has not read that text, and whether the reference has any effect today is not decided here. This record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state construction code act applies throughout the state ("This act and the code apply throughout the state," MCL 125.1508a) and which LARA says remains in effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands. Article VII of Chapter 6 adopts "The 2006 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code".