Permitting Authorities / Indian River County - Building Division
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Indian River County, FL?
Adopted codeIndian River County - Building Division
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Indian River County, FL, issued by Indian River County - Building Division. Re-roofing is its own permit type in unincorporated Indian River County. The Building Division's Permit Fee Schedule (effective 10/11/21) lists "Re-roofing" among its Level-2 specialty permits at $225.00, with an additional fee of 0.4334% of contract valuation over $51,916, and states that anyone "who commences any work requiring a permit before obtaining the permit shall be subject to a penalty of one hundred percent (100%) (Double) of the standard permit fee." Indian River County Code Section 400.02 requires a permit "before doing any work or construction of any character, whether permanent or temporary, when a permit is required under any of the technical codes adopted herein," and the Division's contractor licensing page states: "Many replacement items such as fences, roofs, HVAC systems, etc. require a building permit." The Division publishes a Re-Roofing / Roof Repair permit application (Rev. 1.2025) for all roof types and recovering, and a separate Shingle Only Re-Roof application (Rev. 6.8.24) for shingle-to-shingle replacements; "ALL ROOF PERMITS REQUIRE A SKETCH TO BE SUBMITTED." The checklist requires Florida Product Approvals or Miami-Dade NOAs for every product, "Documentation that verifies job value," and a recorded Notice of Commencement before the first inspection "if job value is greater than $5000.00." Where a lightweight roof (shingle or metal) is changed to tile, "a Florida Licensed Design Professional must provide structural member/system verification." Mechanical equipment stands, guards and roof access ladders "will need to be brought into compliance with current codes prior to the roof receiving a final inspection." Applications are filed through the MGO Connect portal; the Division states it accepts a limit of 10 permits per day from any one applicant or company. The only roof-work permit relief the Building Official publishes is for work of not more than $500 or one roofing square in 12 months; see the repair threshold for that and for the state's $7,500 exemption.
Roof code checklist: Unincorporated Indian River County, FL
| Item | Answer | Code cite | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit to replace a roof | Yes | Permit_-Fee-Schedule-101121.pdf | 2026-09-26 | |
| Repair permit threshold | Published | Permit-Exemptions.pdf | 2026-09-26 | |
| Layer limit / roof-over | Published | R908.3 | Standard Re-Roof-Application_REV ... | 2026-09-26 |
| Deck & sheathing | Published | Standard Re-Roof-Application_REV ... | 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 | Roofing-Inspection-Guide.pdf | 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. 401.01 | library.municode.com | 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
Indian River County, Florida (unincorporated)
Jurisdiction type
county
Address
1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Contact
- url: https://www.indianriver.gov/services/community_development/building_division/index.php
- phone: 772-226-1260
Permit portal
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
- state_level: Florida licenses roofing as its own trade. 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" and "any repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia as needed during roof repair or replacement." Section 489.113(2) states: "A person must be certified or registered in order to engage in the business of contracting in this state." A state-certified roofing contractor may work anywhere in Florida; 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) provides 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" when building or improving "one-family or two-family residences on such property for the occupancy or use of such owners and not offered for sale or lease," on the conditions the statute states. This record does not decide whether a particular reader falls within that exemption.
- county_level: Indian River County Code Section 400.01(1) states: "No person shall engage in the business of construction, contracting or subcontracting as regulated by Florida Statutes 489, Florida Administrative Code 61G4-15 or this chapter without first being state certified or registered, or locally licensed, with a valid certificate of competency issued by the Indian River County Building Department Division or designated as an exempt trade." Section 400.05 requires every contractor regulated by Chapter 489 "and doing business in Indian River County" to maintain workers' compensation and public liability insurance, and to file an insurance certificate with the building official "at the time application is made for registration." The Division's contractor licensing page states that "A Florida State Certified Contractor is required to exhibit to the local Indian River County Building Official such state certificate prior to engaging in contracting in Indian River County or the City of Vero Beach," and publishes separate registration forms for state-certified and state-registered contractors; registration and renewal are handled through the MGO customer portal (Contractor Licensing, 772-226-1960). The Division's Trades That Require a License page lists "Roofing" and "Limited Roofing" among its exam categories. For homeowners, Section 400.01(7) states that "Nothing in this chapter shall prevent any homeowner of an owner-occupied, single family residence from performing any work regulated by this article and within the boundaries of his residential property, providing such work is done by himself," and that this "does not convey the right to violate any of the provisions of this title, nor is it to be construed as exemption from obtaining a permit and paying the required fees therefore."
Permit process note
Re-roofing is its own permit type in unincorporated Indian River County. The Building Division's Permit Fee Schedule (effective 10/11/21) lists "Re-roofing" among its Level-2 specialty permits at $225.00, with an additional fee of 0.4334% of contract valuation over $51,916, and states that anyone "who commences any work requiring a permit before obtaining the permit shall be subject to a penalty of one hundred percent (100%) (Double) of the standard permit fee." Indian River County Code Section 400.02 requires a permit "before doing any work or construction of any character, whether permanent or temporary, when a permit is required under any of the technical codes adopted herein," and the Division's contractor licensing page states: "Many replacement items such as fences, roofs, HVAC systems, etc. require a building permit." The Division publishes a Re-Roofing / Roof Repair permit application (Rev. 1.2025) for all roof types and recovering, and a separate Shingle Only Re-Roof application (Rev. 6.8.24) for shingle-to-shingle replacements; "ALL ROOF PERMITS REQUIRE A SKETCH TO BE SUBMITTED." The checklist requires Florida Product Approvals or Miami-Dade NOAs for every product, "Documentation that verifies job value," and a recorded Notice of Commencement before the first inspection "if job value is greater than $5000.00." Where a lightweight roof (shingle or metal) is changed to tile, "a Florida Licensed Design Professional must provide structural member/system verification." Mechanical equipment stands, guards and roof access ladders "will need to be brought into compliance with current codes prior to the roof receiving a final inspection." Applications are filed through the MGO Connect portal; the Division states it accepts a limit of 10 permits per day from any one applicant or company. The only roof-work permit relief the Building Official publishes is for work of not more than $500 or one roofing square in 12 months; see the repair threshold for that and for the state's $7,500 exemption.
Inspection requirements
The Building Division's 8th Edition re-roof inspection guide requires the approved permit application, Product Approvals or NOAs and installation instructions on site, ladder access on all job sites, and "Restroom facilities/ Porta Potty available for workers." Required inspections are roof sheathing (or, for roofing contractors, the notarized Roof Sheathing Affidavit, which the Building Official may allow at his discretion), dry-in ("The underlayment must be completely installed, all penetrations sealed and the sheathing inspection approved"), flashing, roof covering in progress ("In-progress area should be located in Zone 3 as this is the most stringent roof zone"; "6 nails required per shingle or as required by the NOA or Florida Product Approval") and final. The dry-in, flashing and roof covering in-progress inspections may be scheduled at the same time. Roofs with two layers of underlayment also need an Intermediate Roof Covering Inspection, and mechanically attached insulation board needs a Roof Above Deck Insulation Inspection. "If you have missed any of your required inspections please contact the Building Division immediately. Additional requirements and possible fines will apply to permit." Inspections line: 772-226-1260, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Adopted code
Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Residential (2021 IRC base), effective December 31, 2023, adopted statewide by Rule 61G20-1.001, F.A.C., and applied in every Florida jurisdiction without local adoption. Indian River County Code Section 401.01 adopts "The latest edition of the Florida Building Code, less and except Chapter 1, Administration; and the latest edition of Chapter 1, Model Administrative Code, Building Officials Association of Florida," and the Building Division's page states the 8th Edition Florida Building Codes took effect "Dec. 31, 2023 at midnight." Chapter 401 of the County Code (Building Codes, Parts I through III, read in full as codified through Ordinance No. 2026-010) adopts a countywide wind-borne debris region and wind speed maps (Section 401.07) and makes local amendments only on flood-hazard administration and elevation (Sections 401.10 and 401.11); it contains no amendment to the Florida Building Code's roofing chapters (Residential Chapter 9, Building Chapter 15, Existing Building Chapter 7). Indian River County is not in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which the Florida Building Code defines as Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Drip edge
Required — Required on shingle roofs. The Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), Section R905.2.8.5 states: "Provide drip edge at eaves and gables of shingle roofs," "Drip edge shall be installed over the underlayment," and "Drip edge shall be mechanically fastened a maximum of 12 inches (305 mm) on center," or 4 inches on center where the Vasd "is 110 mph (177 km/h) or greater or the mean roof height exceeds 33 feet." Indian River County Code Chapter 401, read in full, does not amend it. The Building Division's re-roof inspection guide reproduces the section and states: "Drip edges shall be mechanically fastened a maximum of 4 inches on center"; drip edge and flashing are checked at the flashing inspection. About drip edge
Ice & water shield
Not required — Not required anywhere in Florida. The Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), reads "R905.1.2 Ice barriers. Reserved." Indian River County Code Chapter 401, read in full, does not address ice barriers. A self-adhered underlayment may still be used as an underlayment option: the County's re-roof application offers "System # 1- Apply a Self-Adhering Polymer-Modified Bitumen underlayment complying with ASTM D1970 applied over entire roof deck" as one of three secondary water barrier systems. About ice & water barrier
Mid-roof inspection
Required — The Building Division's 8th Edition re-roof inspection guide states "The following inspections are required": a roof sheathing inspection (an owner-builder "must have a roof sheathing inspection prior to dry-in"; roofing contractors may instead submit the County's Roof Sheathing Affidavit, which "must be turned in to the Building Division prior to scheduling the Dry-In Inspection"); a dry-in ("No roof covering can be installed until this inspection has been completed and approved"); a flashing inspection; a roof covering in-progress inspection ("An in-progress inspection must be made as the roof contractor is on site and installing. Minimum 2 squares/200 sq. ft. (i.e. 6 bundles of shingles) to be installed, maximum approximately 25%"); and a final inspection. On a roof-over, "a damage inspection is required instead of a roof dry-in."
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Indian River County Code Chapter 401, which adopts the Florida Building Code and carries the County's local amendments to it, makes no amendment to the state code's roof-covering provisions; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023) Chapter 9 or in the County's building ordinances. The County's re-roof inspection guide requires asphalt shingles to "meet ASTM D 3161 Class F or ASTM D 7158 Class H or TAS107," which are wind ratings, not hail-impact ratings, and the countywide wind-borne debris region in Section 401.07 concerns protection of openings, not roof coverings.
Repair permit threshold
The Building Official's published list of minor repairs that need no permit (Permit Exemptions, June 2014), issued under the minor-repairs section of the building code's administrative chapter, includes: "The application, construction or repair of any roof covering of any existing building or structure not exceeding $500.00 in value of materials and labor or work not exceeding a total of (1) one roofing square (100 sqft or 10x10), in any (12) twelve month period." Roof work above that line is permitted on the County's re-roofing and roof repair application, which asks for the repair area and "PERCENT of ROOF REPAIR AREA" ("cannot exceed 25% of TOTAL roof area") and quotes the state code: "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 OR THE ENTIRE EXISTING ROOF SYSTEM OR ROOF SECTION IS REPLACED OR RECOVERED TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIRMENTS OF THIS CODE," with an exception where the existing roof "was built, repaired, or replaced in compliance with the requirements of the 2007 FBC, or any subsequent editions of the FBC," in which case "ONLY THE REPAIRED, REPLACED, OR RECOVERED PORTION IS REQUIRED TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FBC IN EFFECT." State law: since July 1, 2026, section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes, states that "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." The exemption does not apply to "Work on a property that is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area as defined by the Florida Building Code" or to "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work performed on property containing a single-family dwelling," a project "may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph," and it requires "a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency with a copy of the contract or other documentation demonstrating the nature and the value of the work to be performed." Indian River County's Building Permit Exemption Application must be notarized, filed with a signed copy of the contract and a non-refundable administrative fee, and has the applicant certify that "The work to be conducted is not structural in nature" and that the property is not in a special flood hazard area; it states that "any project over $5,000 still requires the owner to file a Notice of Commencement." The County does not state whether it treats roof work as structural for this exemption, and this record does not decide whether a given roof job qualifies.
Wind design criteria
Indian River County Code Section 401.07 (as amended by Ordinance No. 2023-019, December 12, 2023) adopts "the geographic boundary of the wind borne debris regions in Indian River County as set out in the attached Exhibit 1 'Indian River County Wind Speeds Risk Categories 1 through 3 Map' and Exhibit 2 'Indian River County Wind Speeds Risk Category 4 Map.'" It states that this region "has a basic wind speed of one hundred forty (140) miles per hour or greater" and that "Wind borne debris requirements of the Florida Building Code applies in the entire county." The Building Division's current "Design Wind Speeds Risk Categories 1 thru 3" map (map date 11/20/2023, posted as the new wind speed maps effective December 31, 2023) divides the county into two zones: an eastern zone at "Category 1 - 150 MPH, Category 2 - 160 MPH, Category 3 - 170 MPH" and a western zone at "Category 1 - 140 MPH, Category 2 - 150 MPH, Category 3 - 160 MPH." The Division's re-roof permit application (Rev. 1.2025) gives component and cladding pressure charts for one- and two-family dwellings at 150 mph and 160 mph for Exposures B, C and D, and describes the split as "160 mph winds east of I 95 and 150 mph west of I 95." The zone boundary is not drawn in the same place in every County document: the map image carried with the codified Section 401.07 (dated 2020) runs it along Interstate 95, while the Division's 2023 map draws it west of Interstate 95. Check the property on the Division's current map before picking a design wind speed.
Roof layer limit / recover
The Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), Section R908.3 (Recovering versus replacement) states: "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 used for attachment and the securement provisions of Section R905 cannot be met. Indian River County Code Chapter 401, read in full, does not amend the reroofing section. The Building Division's own re-roof application adds a narrower rule: "Roof Recovering is NOT allowed unless you meet the following criteria: (1) An existing roof covering that was installed with the original construction of the building structure after March 1, 2002 or (2) A re-roof permit after October 1, 2007," and its inspection guide states that roof overs "are only allowed over an existing roof covering that was installed with the original construction of the building after March 1, 2002, or a re-roof permit after October 1, 2007." A recover also needs a damage inspection of the existing roof before work starts, and the Shingle Only application may not be used for a roof over.
Deck & sheathing requirements
Indian River County's re-roof applications state: "All Site Built Single Family Residential Re-Roofs, regardless of value, shall comply with the following: Re-fastening: All sheathing / decking shall be fastened in accordance with the Florida Existing Building Code. Any roof sheathing with existing nails spaced greater than 6" O.C. requires additional nails to provide a minimum of 6" O.C. nail spacing. All stapled sheathing requires complete re-nailing. Added nails shall be 2 1/4" 8d ring shank round head minimum or the requirements in Miami-Dade NOA or Florida Product Approval whichever is applicable." The applicant marks whether the sheathing will be nailed at 4 or 6 inches on center. The state basis is the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), Section R908.7: "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 R908.7.2 states: "When a roof covering is removed and replaced, a secondary water barrier shall be installed in accordance with Section R905.1.1 or Section 1518.2 of the Florida Building Code, Building." Deck attachment is verified at a roof sheathing inspection, or for roofing contractors by the County's Roof Sheathing Certification Inspection Affidavit, certifying fastening to "Florida Building Code Existing, Table 706.7.1.2" or the roof material's NOA or Florida Product Approval. Changing from a lightweight roof to tile requires structural verification by a Florida licensed design professional. Indian River County Code Chapter 401, read in full, sets no deck thickness or sheathing rule of its own.
Sales & use tax
7% combined: 6% Florida state sales and use tax plus Indian River County's 1% discretionary sales surtax. The Department of Revenue's Form DR-15DSS, Discretionary Sales Surtax Information for Calendar Year 2026, lists the Indian River surtax at 1%, effective June 1, 1989, with an expiration date of December 31, 2034. Per the Department, discretionary sales 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, "(cc) 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 Building Division of Indian River County, Florida, reviews plans, issues construction, repair and demolition permits, including re-roofing permits, performs inspections and handles contractor licensing for unincorporated Indian River County. The Division states that it also serves the City of Vero Beach. Permits are applied for online through the MyGovernmentOnline (MGO Connect) portal.
Hail reports near the center of Indian River County, FL
- Reports, last 24 months
- 2
- Largest, last 24 months
- 1.75 in May 24, 2025
- Most recent
- May 24, 2025 1.75 in
- Reports, last 5 years
- 3
| Date | Hail size | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2025 | 1.75 in | 4 mi NE |
| May 5, 2025 | 1.00 in | 7 mi SE |
| Apr 2, 2022 | 1.00 in | 8 mi NE |
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 Indian River County, FL. Data through Sep 30, 2026. A report is an observation, not a damage record.
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Sources
- indianriver.gov verified 2026-09-26
- indianriver.gov verified 2026-09-26
- leg.state.fl.us verified 2026-09-26
- indianriver.gov verified 2026-09-26
- indianriver.gov verified 2026-09-26
- indianriver.gov verified 2026-09-26
- library.municode.com verified 2026-09-26
- codes.iccsafe.org verified 2026-09-26
- indianriver.gov verified 2026-09-26
- floridarevenue.com verified 2026-09-26
- library.municode.com verified 2026-09-26