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Permitting Authorities / Leighton Township - Building Permits (Professional Code Inspections)

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Leighton, MI?

Adopted code

Leighton Township - Building Permits (Professional Code Inspections)

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Leighton, MI, issued by Leighton Township - Building Permits (Professional Code Inspections). Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, read October 12, 2026, posts an Application for Building Permit and says "Professional Code Inspections of Michigan (PCI) located in Dorr is Leighton Townships Zoning and Building Administrators." The notice at the front of that application says the completed application and two copies of the building plans, with septic or sewer and well permits if needed, are returned to Professional Code Inspections at 1575 142nd Ave., Dorr; that "PCI business hours are: 8 am to 5 pm., Monday thru Friday"; that the firm's Zoning Administrator reviews the plans for compliance with the zoning ordinances; that after "the calculation of the building permit fee" the firm contacts the applicant; and that the permit is picked up and paid for at the firm's office, with checks made out to "Leighton Township". The township's zoning ordinance says building permit fees are assessed "according to a schedule adopted by the Township Board", and no building permit fee schedule is posted, so ask the firm for the current fee. The firm's Dorr office accepts building permit applications online through its BS&A Online portal. The township office, at 4451 12th Street, Suite A, Wayland, is open Tuesday to Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Neither the township nor the firm states anything on whether a reroof needs a permit, so call the firm at 616-877-2000 before starting.

Roof code checklist: Township of Leighton, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesleightontownship.org2026-10-12
Repair permit thresholdPublishedleightontownship.org2026-10-12
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-12
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-12
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-12
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-12
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-12
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-12
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-12
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-12

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
Township of Leighton, Allegan County, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
4451 12th Street, Suite A, Wayland, MI 49348
Contact
  • url: https://leightontownship.org/permits-forms/
  • phone: 616-877-2000
Permit portal
Permit portal
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
  • state_level: Michigan licenses residential maintenance and alteration contractors under the Occupational Code, and that licence "includes the following crafts and trades" among which it names roofing (MCL 339.2404(3)); "A person shall not engage in or attempt to engage in the practice of an occupation regulated under this act" without the licence (MCL 339.601(1)). MCL 339.2403 lists who may work without one, including a project whose "aggregate contract price for the labor, material, and any other items for the undertaking or project is less than $600.00". This record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside an exemption.
  • city_level: Leighton Township's pages, its zoning ordinance and the building permit application it posts name no township contractor registration. The application asks for the contractor's builders license number and its federal employer ID, workers compensation and MESC employer number or the reason for exemption. This record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside a state exemption.
Permit process note
Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, read October 12, 2026, posts an Application for Building Permit and says "Professional Code Inspections of Michigan (PCI) located in Dorr is Leighton Townships Zoning and Building Administrators." The notice at the front of that application says the completed application and two copies of the building plans, with septic or sewer and well permits if needed, are returned to Professional Code Inspections at 1575 142nd Ave., Dorr; that "PCI business hours are: 8 am to 5 pm., Monday thru Friday"; that the firm's Zoning Administrator reviews the plans for compliance with the zoning ordinances; that after "the calculation of the building permit fee" the firm contacts the applicant; and that the permit is picked up and paid for at the firm's office, with checks made out to "Leighton Township". The township's zoning ordinance says building permit fees are assessed "according to a schedule adopted by the Township Board", and no building permit fee schedule is posted, so ask the firm for the current fee. The firm's Dorr office accepts building permit applications online through its BS&A Online portal. The township office, at 4451 12th Street, Suite A, Wayland, is open Tuesday to Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM. Neither the township nor the firm states anything on whether a reroof needs a permit, so call the firm at 616-877-2000 before starting.
Adopted code
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." LARA's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Leighton in Allegan County as its own building code enforcer. The township's zoning ordinance, adopted January 2010 and amended through June 13, 2019, refers to "the adopted Township Building Code" and to "the building code adopted by the Township" without naming an edition, and the township's Planning, Zoning, & Ordinance page posts no building code ordinance. The Professional Code Inspections building permit application the township posts names no code edition. This record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above.
Drip edge
Required — 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). Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, its zoning ordinance and the Professional Code Inspections building permit application it posts were read for a local rule on drip edge and state nothing further on it. About drip edge
Ice & water shield
Required — 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). Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, its zoning ordinance and the Professional Code Inspections building permit application it posts were read for a local rule on ice barrier and state nothing further on it. About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — No impact-resistance requirement under state law. The 2015 Michigan Residential Code was searched in full and has no hail or impact rating rule for roof coverings: the words hail, impact and UL 2218 do not appear in it, and none of them appears in the roof assemblies chapter of the base 2015 International Residential Code either. Michigan applies one code statewide ("This act and the code apply throughout the state."), and the act gives the power to amend it to the state director, who adopts the model codes "with amendments, additions, or deletions as the director determines appropriate." Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, its zoning ordinance and the Professional Code Inspections building permit application it posts were read for a local rule on impact resistance and state nothing further on it.
Repair permit threshold
No size or cost threshold is published. Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, its Planning, Zoning, & Ordinance page and the building permit application it posts name no roofing or reroofing, and the township posts no building permit fee schedule. The township's page says "Professional Code Inspections of Michigan (PCI) located in Dorr is Leighton Townships Zoning and Building Administrators." and its Contact Us page says "Permits, Zoning, Variances, and code items are done with Professional Code Inspectors at PCI - 616-877-2000." The township has published nothing on reroofs. 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.
Roof layer limit / recover
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, the township's website posts no building code ordinance; the ordinances listed on its Planning, Zoning, & Ordinance page are a recreational vehicle ordinance, a mobile food vending ordinance, a meeting rules resolution and the zoning ordinance. The zoning ordinance, amended through June 13, 2019, was searched and has no reroofing or layer rule, and it refers to a "Township Building Code" that the township does not post, so that text was not read. The building permit application states no layer rule, so this record states the state rule and does not classify the township's own text.
Deck & sheathing requirements
State law, from the base code. Michigan makes no amendment to the roof sheathing section of the 2015 International Residential Code, Section R803, which does not appear in the Michigan rule set, so it applies as published. Lumber roof sheathing follows Table R803.1: over rafters or beams 24 inches apart it must be at least 5/8 inch net thick. Wood structural panels must be identified "for grade, bond classification and performance category by a grade mark or certificate of inspection issued by an approved agency," and their spans may not exceed "the values set forth in Table R503.2.1.1(1), or APA E30." For a shingle roof the base code adds that "Asphalt shingles shall be fastened to solidly sheathed decks" (R905.2.1), and on any reroof "The structural roof components shall be capable of supporting the roof covering system" (R908.2). Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, its zoning ordinance and the Professional Code Inspections building permit application it posts were read for a local rule on roof sheathing and state nothing further on it.
Sales & use tax
6%, statewide, with no local add-on. This is state law: the General Sales Tax Act sets the tax "equal to 6% of the gross proceeds of the business," the Use Tax Act sets "a total combined rate equal to 6%," and the Michigan Department of Treasury says "Michigan does not allow city or local units to impose sales tax." On a roofing job the roofer is the taxpayer on materials, because the Use Tax Act counts as a consumer "A person acquiring tangible personal property if engaged in the business of constructing, altering, repairing, or improving the real estate of others." Nothing on the Leighton Township pages or the Professional Code Inspections pages changes this.

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Leighton Township's building permits are handled by Professional Code Inspections of Michigan, whose Dorr office at 1575 142nd Avenue is the township's zoning and building administrator, and the township's Permits & Forms page posts the building permit application used for them. The township office is at 4451 12th Street, Suite A in Wayland, and the State of Michigan's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Leighton as its own building code enforcer. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

Working an insurance claim in Township of Leighton, MI? Everything on this page (drip edge, ice & water shield, inspections, Class 4 rules) formatted as a claim-ready evidence pack: verbatim ordinance quotes, code section cites, verification dates, and official source links, ready to attach to a supplement. See a real sample pack (PDF, 4 pages, free).

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Sources

Roofing questions: Township of Leighton, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Leighton, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Leighton, MI. No size or cost threshold is published. Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, its Planning, Zoning, & Ordinance page and the building permit application it posts name no roofing or reroofing, and the township posts no building permit fee schedule. The township's page says "Professional Code Inspections of Michigan (PCI) located in Dorr is Leighton Townships Zoning and Building Administrators." and its Contact Us page says "Permits, Zoning, Variances, and code items are done with Professional Code Inspectors at PCI - 616-877-2000." The township has published nothing on reroofs. 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 Township of Leighton, 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). Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, its zoning ordinance and the Professional Code Inspections building permit application it posts were read for a local rule on ice barrier and state nothing further on it.

Is drip edge required in Township of Leighton, 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). Leighton Township's Permits & Forms page, its zoning ordinance and the Professional Code Inspections building permit application it posts were read for a local rule on drip edge and state nothing further on it.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Leighton, 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, the township's website posts no building code ordinance; the ordinances listed on its Planning, Zoning, & Ordinance page are a recreational vehicle ordinance, a mobile food vending ordinance, a meeting rules resolution and the zoning ordinance. The zoning ordinance, amended through June 13, 2019, was searched and has no reroofing or layer rule, and it refers to a "Township Building Code" that the township does not post, so that text was not read. The building permit application states no layer rule, so this record states the state rule and does not classify the township's own text.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Township of Leighton, MI?

Yes.

What building code does Township of Leighton, 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." LARA's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Leighton in Allegan County as its own building code enforcer. The township's zoning ordinance, adopted January 2010 and amended through June 13, 2019, refers to "the adopted Township Building Code" and to "the building code adopted by the Township" without naming an edition, and the township's Planning, Zoning, & Ordinance page posts no building code ordinance. The Professional Code Inspections building permit application the township posts names no code edition. This record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above.