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

Roofing questions: Holland, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Holland, MI. The City of Holland's Community & Neighborhood Services lists "Re-roof: New and replacement" among the work that requires a building permit, lists "Roof repair, less than 25% of the roof" among the work that does not, and keeps a separate "Building Application for Roofing and Siding Only" for the work. Its page calls its lists "general guideline" and says "you should always check with our office at 616-355-1330" and "This is not an exhaustive list of all projects that may need a permit. Please contact us directly with any questions before beginning 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 Holland, 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 department's Building Application for Roofing and Siding Only repeats the rule: "Ice & water shield must extend from the eaves edge to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall." Chapter 6 of the Holland Code of Ordinances states nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Holland, 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). Chapter 6 of the Holland Code of Ordinances and the department's permit pages and Roofing and Siding application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Holland, 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, Chapter 6 of the Holland Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Floodplain Management, Sections 6-1 through 6-20, all five articles) was read in full: it assumes enforcement of the state building, mechanical and plumbing codes, regulates building moving, requires zoning permits, sets penalties and adopts the flood-hazard provisions; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The department's Building Application for Roofing and Siding Only asks whether the work is a "Second layer" or "Tear off" and states no layer count of its own.

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

Yes.

What building code does Holland, 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." The State of Michigan's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the City of Holland as its own building code enforcer. Section 6-1 of the Holland Code of Ordinances designates the Department of Community and Neighborhood Services as the enforcing agency and provides that "Appendix G of the Michigan Building Code shall be enforced by the enforcing agency", which names no edition and no residential code. The department's State Construction Codes page, read October 10, 2026, lists "2015 Michigan Residential Code (Effective February 2016)".