Permitting Authorities / Hillsborough County - Development Services Department
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Hillsborough County, FL?
Adopted codeHillsborough County - Development Services Department
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Hillsborough County, FL, issued by Hillsborough County - Development Services Department. Re-roofing in unincorporated Hillsborough County is permitted as a residential trade permit through the HillsGovHub portal. The County's Building Permit Fee Schedule (effective October 5, 2024) lists a residential "Roofing" trade permit at $250.00 (commercial $380.00); trade permits "are issued for single trade ... projects requiring inspections only and no plan review," and the Hillsborough County Construction Code lists "Re-roofs" among work for which plans examination is not required. During the re-roofing permit application the contractor agrees to an attestation that includes "I hereby certify the existing roof decking, roof underlayment, and roof covering will be installed in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code or if applicable the Florida Existing Building Code." Inspections are a Progress Check (in person or virtual) and a final roof inspection. Small jobs: since July 1, 2026, state law requires the County to exempt single-family work valued at less than $7,500 on written request (not in a flood hazard area, and not electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work); the County's page lists "roof repair/replacement (non-structural)" among possible exemptions, and the exemption must still be applied for through HillsGovHub with a copy of the contract. A full re-roof valued at $7,500 or more needs the permit. Work started without a permit is charged an additional 100% of the permit fee, and the County's homeowner page warns of a citation "of up to $500 per violation.".
Roof code checklist: Unincorporated Hillsborough County, FL
| Item | Answer | Code cite | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit to replace a roof | Yes | hcfl.gov | 2026-09-26 | |
| Repair permit threshold | Published | hcfl.gov | 2026-09-26 | |
| Layer limit / roof-over | Published | R908.3 | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-09-26 |
| Deck & sheathing | Published | hcfl.gov | 2026-09-26 | |
| Drip edge | Yes | R905.2.8.5 | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-09-26 |
| Ice & water shield | No | R905.1.2 | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-09-26 |
| Mid-roof inspection | Yes | Sec. 110.3 | hcfl.gov | 2026-09-26 |
| Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofing | No | library.municode.com | 2026-09-26 | |
| Wind design criteria | Published | library.municode.com | 2026-09-26 | |
| Adopted code | Published | Sec. 553.73(6) | flrules.org | 2026-09-26 |
| Contractor license / registration | Yes | leg.state.fl.us | 2026-09-26 | |
| Sales & use tax | Published | dr15dss_26.pdf | 2026-09-26 |
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
Hillsborough County, Florida (unincorporated)
Jurisdiction type
county
Address
601 E. Kennedy Blvd. (County Center), Tampa, FL 33602
Contact
- url: https://hcfl.gov/departments/development
- phone: 813-272-5600
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 one 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." Section 489.103(7) contains an owner-builder exemption for owners "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 use and not offered for sale or lease; this record does not decide whether a particular reader falls within it.
- county_level: Chapter 2 of the Hillsborough County Construction Code (section 201.1) requires contractors in a regulated trade to hold a Certificate of Competency issued by the State or the County, and states that contractors "desiring to work in Hillsborough County ... shall be registered in Hillsborough County records to demonstrate proof of compliance with applicable licensing and permitting requirements." The County's Development Services FAQ states that registration and renewal are done through HillsGovHub; State Certified license holders pay no County fees and "are only required to update Worker's Compensation information and license expiration date with Hillsborough County"; a State Registered license carries a $280 application fee and a one-time $140 registration fee, and holders must keep general liability and workers' compensation certificates current. The County's Contractor License Comparison sheet lists no local specialty license for roofing, and the FAQ states "Local specialty licenses are no longer available in Hillsborough County." For homeowners, the County's Permits for Homeowners page states that owners are "generally" able to pull their own permit under section 489.103(7) where the property is in the homeowner's name and is the homeowner's primary residence, with an Owner Builder Disclosure Statement, and that "the property cannot be sold for one year from the date the work was completed."
Permit process note
Re-roofing in unincorporated Hillsborough County is permitted as a residential trade permit through the HillsGovHub portal. The County's Building Permit Fee Schedule (effective October 5, 2024) lists a residential "Roofing" trade permit at $250.00 (commercial $380.00); trade permits "are issued for single trade ... projects requiring inspections only and no plan review," and the Hillsborough County Construction Code lists "Re-roofs" among work for which plans examination is not required. During the re-roofing permit application the contractor agrees to an attestation that includes "I hereby certify the existing roof decking, roof underlayment, and roof covering will be installed in accordance with the requirements of the Florida Building Code or if applicable the Florida Existing Building Code." Inspections are a Progress Check (in person or virtual) and a final roof inspection. Small jobs: since July 1, 2026, state law requires the County to exempt single-family work valued at less than $7,500 on written request (not in a flood hazard area, and not electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work); the County's page lists "roof repair/replacement (non-structural)" among possible exemptions, and the exemption must still be applied for through HillsGovHub with a copy of the contract. A full re-roof valued at $7,500 or more needs the permit. Work started without a permit is charged an additional 100% of the permit fee, and the County's homeowner page warns of a citation "of up to $500 per violation."
Inspection requirements
Re-roof permits are inspected through HillsGovHub: a Progress Check inspection (in person or virtual, with photos or video), in which "Inspectors will check that roof attachments are strengthened and corrected as required per the Florida Building Code," and a final roof inspection. Homeowners installing their own roofing must schedule the Progress Check; a contractor may instead upload a Roof Mitigation Verification Statement before the final.
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, makes the code applicable statewide "without adoptions by local government." Hillsborough County administers it through the Hillsborough County Construction Code (County Code Chapter 8, Article I, section 8-1; Ord. No. 12-5 as amended through Ord. No. 25-16, February 21, 2025), which refers to "the Florida Building Code" without naming an edition in its text; its own technical amendments to the Florida Building Code (Chapter 3 of that code) are flood provisions only (Residential R322 and Building 1612) and do not touch the roofing chapters. The Florida Building Commission's local-amendment registry lists no Hillsborough County amendment to the 2023 code. The County's Construction Codes & Ordinances page describes the County's construction code ordinance as incorporating "the 2014 Florida Building Code," and the codifier's note to the 2012 ordinance names the 2010 editions; the County's residential alterations checklist requires plans "designed in accordance with the current Florida Building Code (FBC)." The County code provides that each permit application "shall be inscribed with the date of application and the code in effect as of that date.".
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." It "shall be mechanically fastened a maximum of 12 inches (305 mm) on center," tightening to 4 inches on center where the Vasd is 110 mph or greater or the mean roof height exceeds 33 feet. The requirement is written for shingle roofs. The Hillsborough County Construction Code, read in full, does not amend it; the County's technical amendments are flood provisions only. The County's Construction Codes & Ordinances page describes its ordinance as incorporating the 2014 Florida Building Code; the codified ordinance names no edition, and this answer is the state's current edition. 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 Hillsborough County Construction Code (read in full; its technical amendments are flood provisions only) nor any registered County 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. The County's Construction Codes & Ordinances page describes its ordinance as incorporating the 2014 Florida Building Code; the codified ordinance names no edition, and this answer is the state's current edition. About ice & water barrier
Mid-roof inspection
Required — The Hillsborough County Construction Code's required-inspection list (section 110.3) includes a "Roofing inspection" that "shall at a minimum include the following building components," listed as dry-in, insulation, roof coverings and flashing. The County's Re-Roof Inspection Information page names a Progress Check inspection before the final: "The roofing Contractor can request a Progress Check inspection or can schedule a virtual inspection and send in supporting Pictures/Videos. Inspectors will check that roof attachments are strengthened and corrected as required per the Florida Building Code. Homeowners installing their own roofing must schedule a Progress Check inspection by the County inspector or can schedule a virtual inspection and send in supporting Pictures/Videos." The same page lets a contractor proceed to the final "After the Progress Check inspections are performed or the Roof Mitigation Verification Statement has been uploaded through HillsGovHub," so a contractor may upload that statement in place of an in-person or virtual Progress Check.
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023) roofing chapter nor the Hillsborough County Construction Code (County Code section 8-1, read in full) requires impact-rated roof coverings; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the code as it applies in unincorporated Hillsborough County or in the County's amendments. The County code's "impact-resistant coverings" provisions concern protection of openings (windows and doors), not roof coverings, and Florida's shingle classes under section R905.2.6.1 (ASTM D3161, TAS 107, ASTM D7158) are wind ratings. The County's Construction Codes & Ordinances page describes its ordinance as incorporating the 2014 Florida Building Code; the codified ordinance names no edition, and this answer is the state's current edition.
Repair permit threshold
The County's Work Exempt from Permits page (last modified June 29, 2026) states: "As specified by Florida House Bill 803, non-structural work done on a single-family residence valued under $7,500 would be exempt from requiring a permit. To qualify for the exemption, per FSS 553.79 (g), the property must be a single-family residence and the owner or owner's contractor must apply for the exemption. An exemption application must still be submitted through the HillsGovHub portal." It lists three cases where the exemption "does not apply": "The value of work is $7,500 or greater," "The property is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area," and "The work includes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical or gas work." It adds that "If it is determined the project does not meet the exemptions, a permit will be required," and that "Possible exemptions include siding, soffit, exterior window replacement, exterior door replacement, and roof repair/replacement (non-structural)." The statute behind it, 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," and "A construction project may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph." Separately, the Hillsborough County Construction Code's minor-repair clause (section 105.2.2) treats "facia, soffit, gutters and downspouts, and routine internal and external maintenance when no structural component is altered or installed, regardless of cost" as ordinary repair, and its list of work exempt from permit (section 105.2) names no roofing work. The Florida Building Code's 25 percent rule also applies to roof repairs (see the deck and sheathing field).
Wind design criteria
The Hillsborough County Construction Code (County Code section 8-1, Chapter 4 definitions) states: "Basic Wind Speed Lines. The basic wind speed lines shall be as established by the wind speed contour maps attached to, and made a part of, this chapter." For "RISK CATEGORY II BUILDINGS: For areas landward of the 140 MPH Wind Speed Line, a non-site specific design may be done using an ultimate design wind speed of 140 MPH for the design of the main wind force resisting systems, cladding, and glazing" (Risk Category I: the 130 MPH line and 130 MPH; Risk Categories III and IV: the 150 MPH line and 150 MPH). It defines the Wind Borne Debris Region as areas "Within 1 mile of the coastal mean high water line where the ultimate design wind speed is 130 MPH or greater; or In areas where the ultimate design wind speed is 140 MPH or greater." The contour maps themselves are not reproduced in the codified text; for a site lookup the County publishes a Wind Borne Debris Map Viewer, and the statewide Florida Building Code wind map is Figure R301.2(4). For roof assemblies, construction documents must show "the type of roofing system, materials, fastening requirements, flashing requirements and wind resistance rating" and product evaluation "shall indicate compliance with the wind criteria required for the specific site" (section 107.2.1.2). Hillsborough County is not in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which the Florida Building Code defines as Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
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." Tear-off is also required where blisters are not cut open and secured, or where the existing covering is to be used for attachment and the securement provisions cannot be met. A single re-cover over one existing layer is therefore the most the code allows. The Hillsborough County Construction Code (County Code section 8-1), read in full, states no layer limit of its own and does not amend section R908.3. The County's Construction Codes & Ordinances page describes its ordinance as incorporating the 2014 Florida Building Code; the codified ordinance names no edition, and this answer is the state's current edition.
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." Under section R908.7.1.1, plank decking "secured with at least two nails (minimum size 8d) to each roof framing member it crosses shall be deemed to be sufficiently connected"; wood structural panel decks are re-nailed to Table R908.7.1.2. 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, where "only the repaired, replaced, or recovered portion is required to be constructed in accordance with the Florida Building Code in effect." The County's Re-Roof Inspection Information page restates the 25 percent rule and states that at the Progress Check "Inspectors will check that roof attachments are strengthened and corrected as required per the Florida Building Code." The Hillsborough County Construction Code does not amend these sections.
Sales & use tax
7.5% combined: 6% Florida state sales and use tax plus Hillsborough County's 1.5% discretionary sales surtax. The Department of Revenue's Form DR-15DSS for calendar year 2026 lists the Hillsborough surtax in three 0.5% parts: effective December 1, 1996, expiring December 31, 2041; effective October 1, 2001, with no expiration; and effective January 1, 2019, expiring December 31, 2028. Per the Department, the surtax "applies to the first $5,000 of the sales amount on the sale" of 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.
The permitting authority for unincorporated Hillsborough County. Development Services provides planning, zoning, development review and building inspection services for all of unincorporated Hillsborough County, and issues building and trade permits, including re-roofing permits, through the HillsGovHub online portal.
Hail reports near the center of Hillsborough County, FL
- Reports, last 24 months
- 2
- Largest, last 24 months
- 1.50 in Jun 2, 2025
- Most recent
- Jun 2, 2025 1.50 in
- Reports, last 5 years
- 2
| Date | Hail size | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2025 | 1.50 in | 7 mi N |
| Jun 2, 2025 | 1.00 in | 6 mi NNE |
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 Hillsborough County, FL. Data through Sep 30, 2026. A report is an observation, not a damage record.
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Sources
- hcfl.gov verified 2026-09-26
- hcfl.gov verified 2026-09-26
- leg.state.fl.us verified 2026-09-26
- hcfl.gov verified 2026-09-26
- hcfl.gov verified 2026-09-26
- hcfl.gov verified 2026-09-26
- flrules.org verified 2026-09-26
- codes.iccsafe.org verified 2026-09-26
- library.municode.com verified 2026-09-26
- floridarevenue.com verified 2026-09-26