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Permitting Authorities / Township of Hartford - Building Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Hartford, MI?

Adopted code

Township of Hartford - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Hartford, MI, issued by Township of Hartford - Building Department. In Hartford Township the building inspector issues the building permit; the township's Permits page lists a "Building Permit" link and says the permit "is required for new construction, structural alterations, additions, remodeling projects, or demolition", and the page says nothing about reroofing. The township's Building Code ordinance requires a permit before a building is "altered, remodeled or major repairs made thereto", sets a $1,000.00 cost limit on its exemption for remodeling that leaves the exterior dimensions unchanged, and says "All building roofs shall be constructed of not less than fire resistant materials recommended under standard fire insurance codes and requirements." The Permits page lists the building inspector's office line, 269-621-4658, which is also the line printed on the township's electrical permit application. With the township silent on reroofs, the state's general permit rule applies: "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit." The same section says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," without defining ordinary repairs, and the township has published no statement applying that relief to roof work. Ask the township hall which permit a reroof takes. Fees are set by township board resolution (Ordinance Number 22, Section 4), and no fee schedule is posted.

Roof code checklist: Township of Hartford, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYeshartfordtownship.org2026-10-13
Repair permit thresholdPublishedhartfordtownship.org2026-10-13
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-13
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-13
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-13
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-13
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-13
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-13
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-13
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-13

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
Township of Hartford, Van Buren County, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
61310 CR-687, Hartford, MI 49057
Contact
  • url: https://hartfordtownship.org/permits/
  • phone: 269-621-4658
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: Hartford Township publishes no contractor licence or registration for roofers. Its ordinance list includes a township licence for residential solar companies (Ordinance Number 49), which does not reach roofing, and its Permits page and ordinances name no roofing contractor registration.
Permit process note
In Hartford Township the building inspector issues the building permit; the township's Permits page lists a "Building Permit" link and says the permit "is required for new construction, structural alterations, additions, remodeling projects, or demolition", and the page says nothing about reroofing. The township's Building Code ordinance requires a permit before a building is "altered, remodeled or major repairs made thereto", sets a $1,000.00 cost limit on its exemption for remodeling that leaves the exterior dimensions unchanged, and says "All building roofs shall be constructed of not less than fire resistant materials recommended under standard fire insurance codes and requirements." The Permits page lists the building inspector's office line, 269-621-4658, which is also the line printed on the township's electrical permit application. With the township silent on reroofs, the state's general permit rule applies: "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit." The same section says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," without defining ordinary repairs, and the township has published no statement applying that relief to roof work. Ask the township hall which permit a reroof takes. Fees are set by township board resolution (Ordinance Number 22, Section 4), and no fee schedule is posted.
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 Township of Hartford as a local building code enforcer, and lists the City of Hartford separately. The township's Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency, effective March 26, 1990) "adopts by reference, the State Construction Code in regard to said Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Codes" and names no edition, and the township's Permits page names no code edition. The township's Ordinance Number 1, a Township Building Code effective August 14, 1967, names none either, and its Ordinance Number 28 adopts the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code, which is a property maintenance code rather than a dwelling code. The township has published no statement of which edition of the residential code it enforces.
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). Hartford Township's Permits page, its Ordinance Number 1 (Township Building Code) and Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency) 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). Hartford Township's Permits page, its Ordinance Number 1 (Township Building Code) and Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency) 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." Hartford Township's Permits page, its Ordinance Number 1 (Township Building Code) and Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency) were read for a local rule on impact resistance; the only roof covering rule in them is Ordinance Number 1's fire-resistance clause ("fire resistant materials recommended under standard fire insurance codes and requirements"), which is a fire rating and not an impact rating.
Repair permit threshold
Hartford Township has published nothing on reroofs. Its Permits page says "A Building Permit is required for new construction, structural alterations, additions, remodeling projects, or demolition within Hartford Township", and names no roofing and no exemption. Its Ordinance Number 1, the Township Building Code (effective August 14, 1967), says "No building, structure, electric wiring, electric system, sewage or sanitary installations, water well or water system shall hereafter be erected, installed, moved, altered, remodeled or major repairs made thereto without a permit therefore being first obtained from the Township", and exempts "the remodeling of existing structures where the exterior dimensions of structure are not changed and the cost of such remodeling does not exceed $1,000.00"; it does not mention reroofing either. The township posts no fee schedule and no building permit application of its own for roof work. 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.
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 township's own building instruments on its ordinance list were read in full: Ordinance Number 1 (Township Building Code), Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency), Ordinance Number 28 (Property Maintenance Code) and Ordinance Number 34 (Adoption of Michigan Housing Law). Ordinance Number 1 requires that "All building roofs shall be constructed of not less than fire resistant materials recommended under standard fire insurance codes and requirements" and bars roll roofing or tar paper as exterior siding; none of the four has a reroofing or roof layer provision, and none amends anything in Section R908. The township's Permits page states 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). Hartford Township's Permits page, its Ordinance Number 1 (Township Building Code) and Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency) 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 Hartford Township Permits page or in its ordinances changes this.

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Hartford Township's building inspector, working from the township hall at 61310 CR-687 in Hartford, issues building permits for the township, which also posts electrical, mechanical, plumbing and zoning permits on its Permits page. The township's Ordinance Number 22 assumes enforcement of the state construction code, and the State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the Township as its own building code enforcer. The City of Hartford is a separate unit with its own enforcement and is not covered by this record. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Township of Hartford, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Hartford, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Hartford, MI. Hartford Township has published nothing on reroofs. Its Permits page says "A Building Permit is required for new construction, structural alterations, additions, remodeling projects, or demolition within Hartford Township", and names no roofing and no exemption. Its Ordinance Number 1, the Township Building Code (effective August 14, 1967), says "No building, structure, electric wiring, electric system, sewage or sanitary installations, water well or water system shall hereafter be erected, installed, moved, altered, remodeled or major repairs made thereto without a permit therefore being first obtained from the Township", and exempts "the remodeling of existing structures where the exterior dimensions of structure are not changed and the cost of such remodeling does not exceed $1,000.00"; it does not mention reroofing either. The township posts no fee schedule and no building permit application of its own for roof work. 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 Township of Hartford, 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). Hartford Township's Permits page, its Ordinance Number 1 (Township Building Code) and Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency) were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Township of Hartford, 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). Hartford Township's Permits page, its Ordinance Number 1 (Township Building Code) and Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency) were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Hartford, 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 township's own building instruments on its ordinance list were read in full: Ordinance Number 1 (Township Building Code), Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency), Ordinance Number 28 (Property Maintenance Code) and Ordinance Number 34 (Adoption of Michigan Housing Law). Ordinance Number 1 requires that "All building roofs shall be constructed of not less than fire resistant materials recommended under standard fire insurance codes and requirements" and bars roll roofing or tar paper as exterior siding; none of the four has a reroofing or roof layer provision, and none amends anything in Section R908. The township's Permits page states no layer rule.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Township of Hartford, MI?

Yes.

What building code does Township of Hartford, 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 Township of Hartford as a local building code enforcer, and lists the City of Hartford separately. The township's Ordinance Number 22 (Enforcing Agency, effective March 26, 1990) "adopts by reference, the State Construction Code in regard to said Building, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Codes" and names no edition, and the township's Permits page names no code edition. The township's Ordinance Number 1, a Township Building Code effective August 14, 1967, names none either, and its Ordinance Number 28 adopts the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code, which is a property maintenance code rather than a dwelling code. The township has published no statement of which edition of the residential code it enforces.