The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / Hendry County - Building & Licensing Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Hendry County, FL?

Adopted code

Hendry County - Building & Licensing Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Hendry County, FL, issued by Hendry County - Building & Licensing Department. Re-roofing in unincorporated Hendry County is permit work. The County's online permit categories include "RE-ROOF" (with a separate "Roof Over" category for a roof built over an existing structure such as a deck or slab), and the County's adopted fee schedule (August 2026) lists "Re-Roof Existing Structure (Minimum fee $65.00)" among its miscellaneous permit fees, valued at $3.00 per square foot where no bona fide contract price is used. The County's Permit Application Check List for a roof permit asks for contractor and subcontractor licensing information, the contract price (or the state owner-builder affidavit and proof of ownership), a "Detailed Description of work + Purpose," a Product Approvals List, the total size of roof being repaired, and a waste agreement form; "ALL application submittals require $65 non-refundable fee." The fee schedule charges "Work without permit (after-the-fact)" at "4x Building Permit Fee" and a reinspection fee of $60.00. The County's Building & Licensing page states that the department issues "permits for all new construction, additions, remodels, renovations, service equipment changes, and general construction," and that "It is always wise to contact the Building Department for permitting requirements prior to beginning any new building projects." State law makes it "unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit" (section 553.79(1)(a), Florida Statutes).

Roof code checklist: Unincorporated Hendry County, FL

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYeshendryfla.net2026-10-16
Repair permit thresholdPublishedhendryfla.net2026-10-16
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Deck & sheathingPublishedcodes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Ice & water shieldNoR905.1.2codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNolibrary.municode.com2026-10-16
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 553.73(6)library.municode.com2026-10-16
Contractor license / registrationYesleg.state.fl.us2026-10-16
Sales & use taxPublisheddr15dss_26.pdf2026-10-16

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
Hendry County, Florida (unincorporated)
Jurisdiction type
county
Address
640 S. Main St., LaBelle, FL 33935
Contact
  • url: https://www.hendryfla.net/government/county_departments/building___licensing/index.php
  • phone: 863-675-5245
Permit portal
Permit portal
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
  • state_level: Roofing contractor is a separately licensed trade in Florida. Section 489.105(3)(e), Florida Statutes, defines a "Roofing contractor" as "a contractor whose services are unlimited in the roofing trade," with a scope that includes "required roof-deck attachments; any repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia as needed during roof repair or replacement." Section 489.113(2) provides that a person "must be certified or registered in order to engage in the business of contracting in this state." A state-certified contractor may work statewide; under section 489.117(1)(b), "Registration allows the registrant to engage in contracting only in the counties, municipalities, or development districts where he or she has complied with all local licensing requirements, if any, and only for the type of work covered by the registration." Section 489.103(7) contains an owner-builder exemption for "Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing direct, onsite supervision themselves of all work not performed by licensed contractors," including one- and two-family residences for the owner's own occupancy or use and not offered for sale or lease; this record does not decide whether a particular reader falls within it.
  • county_level: County Code section 1-58-331 provides that "All contractors performing work or contracting to perform work in the county must hold an appropriate license," and that the contractors who "may legally contract for business in the county" include "State certified contractors holding an active state certificate of competency" and "State registered contractors holding an active state registration and county certificate of competency." Roofing contractor is one of the categories for which the County issues a certificate of competency to a state-registered contractor. The County's State Certified Contractor License Registration form asks for a copy of the state license, a business tax receipt, liability and workers' compensation insurance certificates naming the Hendry County Building Department as certificate holder, and a $30.00 registration fee; it states that "REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED" but that the same packet is otherwise needed with each permit application, and "We will not be scheduling inspections if we do not have your complete Contractor information packet with updated information." The business tax receipt is a business tax, not a trade credential.
Permit process note
Re-roofing in unincorporated Hendry County is permit work. The County's online permit categories include "RE-ROOF" (with a separate "Roof Over" category for a roof built over an existing structure such as a deck or slab), and the County's adopted fee schedule (August 2026) lists "Re-Roof Existing Structure (Minimum fee $65.00)" among its miscellaneous permit fees, valued at $3.00 per square foot where no bona fide contract price is used. The County's Permit Application Check List for a roof permit asks for contractor and subcontractor licensing information, the contract price (or the state owner-builder affidavit and proof of ownership), a "Detailed Description of work + Purpose," a Product Approvals List, the total size of roof being repaired, and a waste agreement form; "ALL application submittals require $65 non-refundable fee." The fee schedule charges "Work without permit (after-the-fact)" at "4x Building Permit Fee" and a reinspection fee of $60.00. The County's Building & Licensing page states that the department issues "permits for all new construction, additions, remodels, renovations, service equipment changes, and general construction," and that "It is always wise to contact the Building Department for permitting requirements prior to beginning any new building projects." State law makes it "unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit" (section 553.79(1)(a), Florida Statutes).
Adopted code
Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Residential volume (2021 International Residential Code base), effective December 31, 2023, adopted statewide by the Florida Building Commission under Rule 61G20-1.001, Florida Administrative Code; section 553.73(6), Florida Statutes, provides that the code and each update "is deemed adopted for use statewide without adoptions by local government." County Code section 1-58-5 (last amended by Ord. No. 2023-16, September 25, 2023) adopts "The current edition of the Florida Building Code, and the family of codes adopted by the Florida Building Commission," and the County's Building & Licensing page gives notice "that the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Codes became effective on December 31, 2023." Section 1-58-5's own provisions are electrical-service exceptions to the National Electrical Code, mobile home set-up rules and a wind speed line for Risk Category IV buildings; none touches the roofing chapters, and no local technical amendment registered with the Florida Building Commission for the 2023 code reaches Residential Chapter 9 or Building Chapter 15.
Drip edge
Required — Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R905.2.8.5 Drip edge: "Provide drip edge at eaves and gables of shingle roofs. Overlap to be a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm). Eave drip edges shall extend 1/2 inch (13 mm) below sheathing and extend back on the roof a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm). Drip edge shall be installed over the underlayment." The requirement is written for shingle roofs. The County's building regulations (Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-58, Article I, read in full) do not amend it, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9. About drip edge
Ice & water shield
Not required — Not required. The Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023) reads "R905.1.2 Ice barriers. Reserved." and, for asphalt shingles, "R905.2.7 Ice barrier. Reserved." Neither the County's building regulations (Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-58, Article I, read in full) nor any registered local amendment adds an ice barrier. A self-adhering ASTM D1970 underlayment remains one of the permitted underlayment methods under section R905.1.1.1; it is not prohibited. About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither the County's building regulations (Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-58, Article I, read in full, including its technical code adoption in section 1-58-5) nor any local technical amendment registered with the Florida Building Commission for the 2023 code reaches Residential Chapter 9 or Building Chapter 15; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the Florida Building Code, Residential Chapter 9, Building Chapter 15 or Existing Building Chapter 7 as they apply in unincorporated Hendry County. Florida's shingle classes under section R905.2.6.1 (ASTM D3161, TAS 107, ASTM D7158) are wind ratings, not impact ratings.
Repair permit threshold
Section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes (effective July 1, 2026), reads: "A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner's contractor from the requirement to obtain a building permit to perform any work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner's property," does not apply to "Work on a property that is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area" or to "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work," requires "a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency with a copy of the contract," and provides that "A construction project may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph." The County's Building & Licensing FAQ explains the exemption and adds that "Structural are considered permits that require an engineered plan review." The County's Request for a Building Permit Exemption must be notarized and comes with "a detailed description of the work" and a receipt for the materials or a copy of the contract, plus proof of ownership; the County marks each request approved or denied. The Florida Building Code's own relief, Building section 105.2.2, allows "Ordinary minor repairs" without a permit only "with the approval of the building official." The County's building regulations (Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-58, Article I, read in full) set no roof repair threshold of their own. Separately, the Florida Building Code's 25 percent rule applies to roof repairs (see the deck and sheathing field).
Roof layer limit / recover
Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.3 Recovering versus replacement: "New roof coverings shall not be installed without first removing all existing layers of roof coverings where any of the following conditions occur: 1. Where the existing roof or roof covering is water soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing. 2. Where the existing roof covering is wood shingle or shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. 3. Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." A single re-cover over one existing layer is therefore the most the code allows. The County's building regulations (Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-58, Article I, read in full) state no layer limit of their own and do not amend section R908.3, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9.
Deck & sheathing requirements
Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.7 Wind mitigation: "When a roof covering on an existing structure with a sawn lumber, wood plank or wood structural panel roof deck is removed and replaced, the following procedures shall be permitted to be performed by the roofing contractor: (a) Roof-decking attachment shall be as required by Section R908.7.1. (b) A secondary water barrier shall be provided as required by Section R908.7.2. Exception: Structures permitted subject to the Florida Building Code are not required to comply with this section." Section R908.1.1 (the 25 percent rule): "Not more than 25 percent of the total roof area or roof section of any existing building or structure shall be repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12-month period unless the roof covering on the entire existing roof system or roof section is replaced or recovered to conform to the requirements of this code," with an exception for roofs built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later. In Hendry County, the County's roof Inspection Affidavit (revised March 27, 2024) has a licensed contractor, engineer or architect certify the "Roof deck nailing work" at the job site and that "the installation was done according to the Hurricane Mitigation Retrofit Manual (Based on 553.844 F.S.)." The County's building regulations do not amend these provisions.
Sales & use tax
7.5% combined: 6% Florida state sales and use tax plus Hendry County's 1.5% discretionary sales surtax, made up of a 1% levy that the Department of Revenue's Form DR-15DSS for calendar year 2026 lists as effective January 1, 1988, with no expiration date, and a 0.5% levy effective January 1, 2023, with an expiration date of December 31, 2042. Per the Department, the surtax "applies to the first $5,000 of the sales amount on the sale, use, lease, rental, or license to use any item of tangible personal property." Under Rule 12A-1.051, Florida Administrative Code, "Roofing work" is a real property contract, and "Contractors are the ultimate consumers of materials and supplies they use to perform real property contracts and must pay tax on their costs of those materials and supplies, unless the contractor has entered a retail sale plus installation contract"; such contractors "should charge no tax to their customers, regardless of whether they itemize charges for materials and labor in their proposals or invoices." The rate is the roofer's cost on materials, repair and replacement alike, not a tax charged to the homeowner.

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The permitting authority for unincorporated Hendry County. The County's Building & Licensing department issues building permits, including re-roof permits, registers contractors and schedules inspections, from offices in LaBelle and Clewiston and through the County's online permit service.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Unincorporated Hendry County, FL

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Hendry County, FL?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Hendry County, FL. Section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes (effective July 1, 2026), reads: "A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner's contractor from the requirement to obtain a building permit to perform any work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner's property," does not apply to "Work on a property that is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area" or to "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work," requires "a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency with a copy of the contract," and provides that "A construction project may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph." The County's Building & Licensing FAQ explains the exemption and adds that "Structural are considered permits that require an engineered plan review." The County's Request for a Building Permit Exemption must be notarized and comes with "a detailed description of the work" and a receipt for the materials or a copy of the contract, plus proof of ownership; the County marks each request approved or denied. The Florida Building Code's own relief, Building section 105.2.2, allows "Ordinary minor repairs" without a permit only "with the approval of the building official." The County's building regulations (Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-58, Article I, read in full) set no roof repair threshold of their own. Separately, the Florida Building Code's 25 percent rule applies to roof repairs (see the deck and sheathing field).

Is ice & water shield required in Unincorporated Hendry County, FL?

No. Not required. The Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023) reads "R905.1.2 Ice barriers. Reserved." and, for asphalt shingles, "R905.2.7 Ice barrier. Reserved." Neither the County's building regulations (Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-58, Article I, read in full) nor any registered local amendment adds an ice barrier. A self-adhering ASTM D1970 underlayment remains one of the permitted underlayment methods under section R905.1.1.1; it is not prohibited.

Is drip edge required in Unincorporated Hendry County, FL?

Yes. Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R905.2.8.5 Drip edge: "Provide drip edge at eaves and gables of shingle roofs. Overlap to be a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm). Eave drip edges shall extend 1/2 inch (13 mm) below sheathing and extend back on the roof a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm). Drip edge shall be installed over the underlayment." The requirement is written for shingle roofs. The County's building regulations (Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-58, Article I, read in full) do not amend it, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Unincorporated Hendry County, FL?

Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.3 Recovering versus replacement: "New roof coverings shall not be installed without first removing all existing layers of roof coverings where any of the following conditions occur: 1. Where the existing roof or roof covering is water soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing. 2. Where the existing roof covering is wood shingle or shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. 3. Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." A single re-cover over one existing layer is therefore the most the code allows. The County's building regulations (Code of Ordinances Chapter 1-58, Article I, read in full) state no layer limit of their own and do not amend section R908.3, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Unincorporated Hendry County, FL?

Yes.

What building code does Unincorporated Hendry County, FL use?

Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Residential volume (2021 International Residential Code base), effective December 31, 2023, adopted statewide by the Florida Building Commission under Rule 61G20-1.001, Florida Administrative Code; section 553.73(6), Florida Statutes, provides that the code and each update "is deemed adopted for use statewide without adoptions by local government." County Code section 1-58-5 (last amended by Ord. No. 2023-16, September 25, 2023) adopts "The current edition of the Florida Building Code, and the family of codes adopted by the Florida Building Commission," and the County's Building & Licensing page gives notice "that the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Codes became effective on December 31, 2023." Section 1-58-5's own provisions are electrical-service exceptions to the National Electrical Code, mobile home set-up rules and a wind speed line for Risk Category IV buildings; none touches the roofing chapters, and no local technical amendment registered with the Florida Building Commission for the 2023 code reaches Residential Chapter 9 or Building Chapter 15.