The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Lawrence Planning and Development Services, Building Safety Division

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Lawrence, KS?

Adopted code

City of Lawrence Planning and Development Services, Building Safety Division

No, Lawrence, KS does not require a permit for like-for-like roof replacement (City of Lawrence Planning and Development Services, Building Safety Division). NO CITY PERMIT FOR A REPLACEMENT ROOF COVERING, BY ENACTED CODE; THE CITY STILL REQUIRES A LICENSED ROOFER. City Code Section 5-223(a)(14) lists, among building work for which "Permits shall not be required": "Replacement roof coverings." The exemption carries no condition in the code text. The same section adds that "Exemptions from permit requirements of this article shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner that violates the provisions of this article or any other laws applicable in this jurisdiction," so the adopted 2018 IRC roofing rules still apply to the work. The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline states: "Permits are not required for: Re-roofing; Recovering; or replacing an existing roof covering; Re-decking," and "Permits are required for: New materials that will change the loads on the roof; Upon request for insurance purposes; Roof framing and repair." The guideline also states: "All roofing construction requires the contractor to be licensed." Contact Building Safety at 785-832-7700 or [email protected] about a job involving framing or heavier materials.

Roof code checklist: Lawrence, KS

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofNolibrary.municode.com2026-10-02
Repair permit thresholdPublishedlibrary.municode.com2026-10-02
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1library.municode.com2026-10-02
Deck & sheathingPublishedR803library.municode.com2026-10-02
Drip edgeYeslibrary.municode.com2026-10-02
Ice & water shieldNoR905.1.2library.municode.com2026-10-02
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNolibrary.municode.com2026-10-02
Wind design criteriaPublishedlibrary.municode.com2026-10-02
Adopted codePublishedSec. 5-601library.municode.com2026-10-02
Contractor license / registrationYeslibrary.municode.com2026-10-02
Sales & use taxPublishedksrevenue.gov2026-10-02

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
City of Lawrence, Kansas
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
1 Riverfront Plaza, Suite 320, Lawrence, KS 66044
Contact
  • url: https://assets.lawrenceks.gov/pds/devservices/bsd/pds_bsd_roof_guidelines_2023.pdf
  • phone: 785-832-7700
  • email: [email protected]
Roofing permit required
Not required
Contractor registration required
Required About Kansas roofing contractor registration
Registration details
  • state_level: A KANSAS ROOFING CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. K.S.A. 50-6,123(a)(1): "No person shall engage in the business of or act in the capacity of a roofing contractor within this state without having a valid registration certificate as required by this act." K.S.A. 50-6,122(a)(1) defines a roofing contractor as any person, including a subcontractor and nonresident contractor, who in the ordinary course of business "Engages in the business of commercial or residential roofing services for a fee" or offers or solicits roofing-related services. Section 50-6,122(a)(2) excludes a person doing demolition or debris cleanup, "a person working under the direct supervision of the roofing contractor and who is hired by such roofing contractor as an employee or day laborer," and an "exempt general contractor," a general contractor meeting the conditions of 50-6,122(e) (among them, that roofing is no more than 50% of the project cost, or that roofing is subcontracted to a registered roofer, and no door-to-door sales). This record does not decide whether a given reader falls inside any exclusion. Under K.S.A. 50-6,128 the annual fee is set by the Attorney General, may not exceed $500, and the certificate expires June 30 each year. Working unregistered carries civil penalties under K.S.A. 50-636 (50-6,123(b)).
  • city_level: LAWRENCE'S OWN CLASS D ROOFING CONTRACTOR LICENCE, WITH ITS OWN CONDITIONS. City Code Section 5-1704(a) bars any person, unless exempt under Section 5-1724, from performing work regulated by the City's adopted codes "Without holding a valid contractor license issued to that person." Section 5-1705(d)(3): "A Class D roofing contractor license shall entitle the licensee to perform work for the roofing of any building or structure, including: the installation and repair of any roofing material; the installation or repair of roof sheathing; the installation, application, or repair of roof damp-proofing or weather-proofing; the installation of roof insulation panels or other roof insulation systems, and work incidental thereto; the repair of structural damage to an existing roof-support system; and the installation of skylights." A Class A general contractor licence also covers Class D work. Section 5-1707 requires an application fee, an annual licence fee, two years' qualifying roofing experience, proof of competency (a certificate such as ICC, Kansas roofing contractor/subcontractor or Prometric roofing, an engineering, architecture or construction science degree, reciprocity, or five years' experience plus the state registration), and "proof that ... the applicant or qualifying party has a current, valid state roofing contractor registration certificate." Section 5-1710 requires commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, workers' compensation as state law requires, and a certificate naming the City as holder. Section 5-1724 exempts an employee working under a licensed contractor and an owner-occupant working on their own detached dwelling (who stays subject to building permit rules). The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline states: "All roofing construction requires the contractor to be licensed."
Permit process note
NO CITY PERMIT FOR A REPLACEMENT ROOF COVERING, BY ENACTED CODE; THE CITY STILL REQUIRES A LICENSED ROOFER. City Code Section 5-223(a)(14) lists, among building work for which "Permits shall not be required": "Replacement roof coverings." The exemption carries no condition in the code text. The same section adds that "Exemptions from permit requirements of this article shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner that violates the provisions of this article or any other laws applicable in this jurisdiction," so the adopted 2018 IRC roofing rules still apply to the work. The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline states: "Permits are not required for: Re-roofing; Recovering; or replacing an existing roof covering; Re-decking," and "Permits are required for: New materials that will change the loads on the roof; Upon request for insurance purposes; Roof framing and repair." The guideline also states: "All roofing construction requires the contractor to be licensed." Contact Building Safety at 785-832-7700 or [email protected] about a job involving framing or heavier materials.
Adopted code
THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, ADOPTED BY CITY CODE CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE VI. Section 5-601: "The 2018 International Residential Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., other than those portions hereinafter specifically deleted, modified, or amended, is hereby adopted as the city's residential code" (history: Ord. Nos. 8794, 9169, 9239, 9342 and 9627). The codification read is current through Ordinance No. 10209, enacted April 14, 2026, and it still names the 2018 edition. Section 5-603 provides that the amendments "shall not serve to delete, modify, or amend any discretely numbered section or subsection of the 2018 Residential Code, unless the section or subsection is specifically identified." The amendment sections, 5-604 through 5-640, were read: they delete most appendices and IRC Chapter 1 (administration sits in the City's own Article II instead), rewrite R301.2 and Table R301.2(1), and amend egress, sprinkler, foundation, energy, mechanical, fuel gas, plumbing and electrical sections. None names a section in Chapter 8 or Chapter 9, so the base 2018 IRC roof-assembly provisions apply unmodified except where the City's own Table R301.2(1) fills them in. The City also adopts the 2018 International Existing Building Code by Article XII; its amendments (deleting Chapter 1 and amending 809.1, 1009.1 and 1106.1) do not touch reroofing.
Drip edge
Required — DEFAULT TRUE, AS A POINTER TO THE UNAMENDED BASE 2018 IRC, NOT A QUOTED FIGURE. City Code Chapter 5, Article VI adopts the 2018 International Residential Code, and its amendment sections were read and amend nothing in the IRC's roof-covering sections. This record does not repeat the base code's drip-edge text; it points to the unamended 2018 IRC roof-assemblies chapter as the applicable provision. About drip edge
Ice & water shield
Not required — NOT REQUIRED BY LAWRENCE'S OWN ENACTED CLIMATIC TABLE, AND THE CITY'S GUIDANCE SAYS THE SAME. City Code Section 5-607 rewrites Table R301.2(1) of the 2018 IRC with the City's own values, and its "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required" column reads "No." The table's footnote ties that column to the roof-covering sections: "In accordance with sections R905.1.2, R905.4.3.1, R905.5.3.1, R905.6.3.1, R905.7.3.1 and R905.8.3.1, where there has been a history of local damage from the effects of ice damming, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with 'yes.' Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with 'no.'" The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline states: "Ice barrier underlayment are not required as amended in the city code." A manufacturer's installation instructions may still call for it. About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — NOT REQUIRED BY THE CITY'S ADOPTED CODE OR ITS AMENDMENTS. City Code Chapter 5, Article VI (adopting the 2018 IRC, last by Ordinance No. 9627) does not amend Chapter 9's roof-covering provisions; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the City's adopted residential code, its amendments, or the rest of Chapter 5 as codified through Ordinance No. 10209. The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline states no impact rating either. An insurer's premium discount for an impact-rated shingle is not a code mandate.
Repair permit threshold
"REPLACEMENT ROOF COVERINGS" ARE EXEMPT FROM PERMIT BY ENACTED CODE, WITH NO DOLLAR, AREA OR PERCENTAGE TEST. City Code Section 5-223(a), "Building. The following activities and materials do not require a permit," item (14): "Replacement roof coverings." The general permit clause, Section 5-220, requires a permit for anyone who intends to "construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure," and Section 5-225 relieves "ordinary repairs to structures," which "shall not include ... the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support." The permit fee schedule in Section 5-254 is valuation based and has no dedicated roofing fee line. The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline draws the line in its own words: no permit for "Re-roofing; Recovering; or replacing an existing roof covering; Re-decking," but a permit for "New materials that will change the loads on the roof; Upon request for insurance purposes; Roof framing and repair." The enacted exemption names roof coverings only; the guideline's no-permit line for re-decking is the department's stated practice.
Wind design criteria
ESTABLISHED BY LAWRENCE'S OWN ENACTED CLIMATIC TABLE. City Code Section 5-607 rewrites Table R301.2(1), Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria, with the City's values: Ground Snow Load 20 lbs; Wind Design Speed 115 (mph); Topographic Effects No; Special Wind Region No; Wind-Borne Debris Zone No; Seismic Design Category A; Weathering Severe; Frost Line Depth 30 inches; Termite Moderate to heavy; Winter Design Temp 4; Ice Barrier Underlayment Required No. The table's footnote d adds that "Wind exposure category shall be determined on a site-specific basis in accordance with section R301.2.1.4."
Roof layer limit / recover
TWO LAYERS MAXIMUM, ON THE UNAMENDED BASE 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, WHICH LAWRENCE ADOPTS BY CITY CODE SECTION 5-601 AND DOES NOT AMEND ON THIS POINT. Article VI's amendment sections (5-604 through 5-640) were read and name no R908 section and no reroofing or recover provision, and Section 5-603 states that no section is modified unless specifically identified. So the base 2018 IRC reroofing rule applies: Section R908.3.1.1, "Roof recover not allowed," bars a recover, among other conditions, "[w]here the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering," meaning one existing layer may be recovered and a second existing layer forces a tear-off. The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline agrees in its own words: "Roof Recover is the installation of a new roof covering over an existing roof covering over only one layer of existing materials," and "Roof Replacement shall include the removal of existing layers of roof coverings down to the roof deck."
Deck & sheathing requirements
NO LOCAL RULE ON ROOF SHEATHING; THE CITY'S AMENDMENTS MAKE NO CHANGE TO IT. Lawrence adopts the 2018 International Residential Code by City Code Section 5-601, and Article VI's amendment sections were read and name no R803 section and no roof-sheathing provision. So the base 2018 IRC roof sheathing requirements apply unmodified. This record points to that chapter rather than restating figures. The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline lists "Re-decking" among work that needs no permit, while "Roof framing and repair" needs one; the Class D Roofing Contractor licence covers "the installation or repair of roof sheathing" (City Code Section 5-1705).
Sales & use tax
9.35% COMBINED STATE AND LOCAL RATE AT A LAWRENCE LOCATION OUTSIDE A SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICT, per the Kansas Department of Revenue's own rate booklet "effective July 1, 2026": state 6.5%, Douglas County 1.25% and City of Lawrence 1.6% (rate code LAWDG, effective date April 1, 2025). Several Lawrence special districts carry higher rates in the same file: Lawrence 9th & New Hampshire TDD, Free State TDD and Oread TDD at 10.35%, The Crossing CID and KU Gateway STAR at 10.85%, and KU Gateway CID (with or without STAR) at 11.35%. Check the job address against the Department's file or its address lookup.

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The building permitting authority for the City of Lawrence, Kansas, in Douglas County. City Code Section 5-205 provides: "The building safety division of the planning and development services department shall be responsible for reviewing applications, reviewing construction documents and issuing permits for the erection, alteration, demolition, and moving of buildings and structures, inspecting the premises for which such permits have been issued, and enforcing compliance with the provisions of this article." Lawrence adopts the 2018 International Residential Code by Chapter 5, Article VI of its City Code (last adopting ordinance No. 9627), with its own administrative chapter in Article II in place of IRC Chapter 1. That administrative chapter lists "Replacement roof coverings" among the work exempt from permit, so an ordinary residential reroof needs no City permit. The City does license roofers itself: a Class D Roofing Contractor licence under Article XVII, on top of the Kansas Attorney General's roofing contractor registration certificate.

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Roofing questions: Lawrence, KS

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Lawrence, KS?

No, Lawrence, KS does not require a permit to replace a roof. "REPLACEMENT ROOF COVERINGS" ARE EXEMPT FROM PERMIT BY ENACTED CODE, WITH NO DOLLAR, AREA OR PERCENTAGE TEST. City Code Section 5-223(a), "Building. The following activities and materials do not require a permit," item (14): "Replacement roof coverings." The general permit clause, Section 5-220, requires a permit for anyone who intends to "construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure," and Section 5-225 relieves "ordinary repairs to structures," which "shall not include ... the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support." The permit fee schedule in Section 5-254 is valuation based and has no dedicated roofing fee line. The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline draws the line in its own words: no permit for "Re-roofing; Recovering; or replacing an existing roof covering; Re-decking," but a permit for "New materials that will change the loads on the roof; Upon request for insurance purposes; Roof framing and repair." The enacted exemption names roof coverings only; the guideline's no-permit line for re-decking is the department's stated practice.

Is ice & water shield required in Lawrence, KS?

No. NOT REQUIRED BY LAWRENCE'S OWN ENACTED CLIMATIC TABLE, AND THE CITY'S GUIDANCE SAYS THE SAME. City Code Section 5-607 rewrites Table R301.2(1) of the 2018 IRC with the City's own values, and its "Ice Barrier Underlayment Required" column reads "No." The table's footnote ties that column to the roof-covering sections: "In accordance with sections R905.1.2, R905.4.3.1, R905.5.3.1, R905.6.3.1, R905.7.3.1 and R905.8.3.1, where there has been a history of local damage from the effects of ice damming, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with 'yes.' Otherwise, the jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with 'no.'" The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline states: "Ice barrier underlayment are not required as amended in the city code." A manufacturer's installation instructions may still call for it.

Is drip edge required in Lawrence, KS?

Yes. DEFAULT TRUE, AS A POINTER TO THE UNAMENDED BASE 2018 IRC, NOT A QUOTED FIGURE. City Code Chapter 5, Article VI adopts the 2018 International Residential Code, and its amendment sections were read and amend nothing in the IRC's roof-covering sections. This record does not repeat the base code's drip-edge text; it points to the unamended 2018 IRC roof-assemblies chapter as the applicable provision.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Lawrence, KS?

TWO LAYERS MAXIMUM, ON THE UNAMENDED BASE 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, WHICH LAWRENCE ADOPTS BY CITY CODE SECTION 5-601 AND DOES NOT AMEND ON THIS POINT. Article VI's amendment sections (5-604 through 5-640) were read and name no R908 section and no reroofing or recover provision, and Section 5-603 states that no section is modified unless specifically identified. So the base 2018 IRC reroofing rule applies: Section R908.3.1.1, "Roof recover not allowed," bars a recover, among other conditions, "[w]here the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering," meaning one existing layer may be recovered and a second existing layer forces a tear-off. The City's 2023 Roof Permits guideline agrees in its own words: "Roof Recover is the installation of a new roof covering over an existing roof covering over only one layer of existing materials," and "Roof Replacement shall include the removal of existing layers of roof coverings down to the roof deck."

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Lawrence, KS?

Yes.

What building code does Lawrence, KS use?

THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE, ADOPTED BY CITY CODE CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE VI. Section 5-601: "The 2018 International Residential Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., other than those portions hereinafter specifically deleted, modified, or amended, is hereby adopted as the city's residential code" (history: Ord. Nos. 8794, 9169, 9239, 9342 and 9627). The codification read is current through Ordinance No. 10209, enacted April 14, 2026, and it still names the 2018 edition. Section 5-603 provides that the amendments "shall not serve to delete, modify, or amend any discretely numbered section or subsection of the 2018 Residential Code, unless the section or subsection is specifically identified." The amendment sections, 5-604 through 5-640, were read: they delete most appendices and IRC Chapter 1 (administration sits in the City's own Article II instead), rewrite R301.2 and Table R301.2(1), and amend egress, sprinkler, foundation, energy, mechanical, fuel gas, plumbing and electrical sections. None names a section in Chapter 8 or Chapter 9, so the base 2018 IRC roof-assembly provisions apply unmodified except where the City's own Table R301.2(1) fills them in. The City also adopts the 2018 International Existing Building Code by Article XII; its amendments (deleting Chapter 1 and amending 809.1, 1009.1 and 1106.1) do not touch reroofing.