Permitting Authorities / City of Ludington - Building Department
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Ludington, MI?
Adopted code
City of Ludington - Building Department
No, Ludington, MI does not require a permit for like-for-like roof replacement (City of Ludington - Building Department). In Ludington the Building Department's no-permit line is for roof shingles: its Permit Applications page says "The City does not require building permits for driveways (flat work), painting (exterior or interior), roof shingles or siding." It does not mention any other roof covering. The same page says "The City of Ludington requires building permits for any type of construction within the City Limits." No enacted text names roof work either way, state law requires a building permit "before construction of a building or structure" and relieves "ordinary repairs" without defining them, and this record does not decide whether the department's line is its reading of that relief. Where a permit is needed, the page says "In order to secure a building permit, you must be the home owner or a licensed building contractor with the State of Michigan." The fee schedule says "All Building Permits Subject to Application Fee: $50.00" and "A Minimum Of $100 Of the Total Permit Fee Is Non-Refundable", prices work on project cost ("To $1,000" is $75.00), and lists no roofing line; for an existing building it prices "Level One: 10% or less of the building total square footage" at $75.00. The Building Department page says it provides "plan review, permit issuance and inspections on all construction and site work within the city limits." The city does not issue electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or heating and cooling permits: the Permit Applications page sends those to the Mason County Building/Zoning Department at 5300 W US 10 in Ludington, 231-757-9345. The building permit application is the city's own form, and the Building Department is at 400 S Harrison Street, 231-843-2956.
Roof code checklist: Ludington, MI
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 Ludington, Michigan
Address
400 S. Harrison Street, Ludington, MI 49431
Contact
- url: https://www.ludington.mi.us/171/Permit-Applications
- phone: 231-843-2956
Roofing permit required
Not required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
- state_level: Michigan licenses residential builders and residential maintenance and alteration contractors under the Occupational Code (MCL 339.601, 339.2401 to 339.2404); this record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside an exemption.
- city_level: The city's Permit Applications page says "In order to secure a building permit, you must be the home owner or a licensed building contractor with the State of Michigan." It states no separate city registration.
Permit process note
In Ludington the Building Department's no-permit line is for roof shingles: its Permit Applications page says "The City does not require building permits for driveways (flat work), painting (exterior or interior), roof shingles or siding." It does not mention any other roof covering. The same page says "The City of Ludington requires building permits for any type of construction within the City Limits." No enacted text names roof work either way, state law requires a building permit "before construction of a building or structure" and relieves "ordinary repairs" without defining them, and this record does not decide whether the department's line is its reading of that relief. Where a permit is needed, the page says "In order to secure a building permit, you must be the home owner or a licensed building contractor with the State of Michigan." The fee schedule says "All Building Permits Subject to Application Fee: $50.00" and "A Minimum Of $100 Of the Total Permit Fee Is Non-Refundable", prices work on project cost ("To $1,000" is $75.00), and lists no roofing line; for an existing building it prices "Level One: 10% or less of the building total square footage" at $75.00. The Building Department page says it provides "plan review, permit issuance and inspections on all construction and site work within the city limits." The city does not issue electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or heating and cooling permits: the Permit Applications page sends those to the Mason County Building/Zoning Department at 5300 W US 10 in Ludington, 231-757-9345. The building permit application is the city's own form, and the Building Department is at 400 S Harrison Street, 231-843-2956.
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 City of Ludington as its own building code enforcer for building, and lists the county for electrical, mechanical and plumbing. Section 6-26 of the City Code (Code 1984, Sec. 8.1) says the city "elects to make itself subject to such act and the State Construction Code promulgated by the state construction code commission" and names no edition of a residential code. The city's property maintenance code designates portions of the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (Sec. 6-56). The city's Building Department and Permit Applications pages, read October 11, 2026, name no residential code edition.
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). Chapter 6 of the Ludington City Code and the Permit Applications page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.
About drip edgeIce & 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). Chapter 6 of the Ludington City Code and the Permit Applications page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.
About ice & water barrierImpact-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." Chapter 6 of the Ludington City Code and the Permit Applications page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
Ludington's Building Department says roof shingles need no building permit, in its own words. Its Permit Applications page says "The City does not require building permits for driveways (flat work), painting (exterior or interior), roof shingles or siding." The statement names roof shingles and no other roof covering, and it sets no area or dollar limit. The same page says "The City of Ludington requires building permits for any type of construction within the City Limits." No enacted text names roof work either way: Section 6-26 of the City Code elects the State Construction Code, and state law requires a building permit "before construction of a building or structure" while also saying "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure." (MCL 125.1510) without defining ordinary repairs or capping them by size or cost. Michigan's list of work exempt from permit (Section R105.2 of the residential code, as Michigan amends it) names no roof work; Chapter 6 of the City Code (Buildings and Building Regulations), read in full, makes no amendment to it; and the city's Permit, Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule (dated JAN 2024) and its Application for Building Permit and Plan Examination have no roofing line or roofing box. The no-permit line for roof shingles is the department's stated practice; this record does not decide whether it is the department's reading of the ordinary-repairs clause. The fee schedule adds the cost of guessing wrong: "After-The-Fact Building Permits Will Include an Additional $50 Fee". The Building Department answers questions at 231-843-2956.
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 city's own building ordinance, Chapter 6 of the Ludington City Code (Buildings and Building Regulations, codified through Ordinance No. 556-25, adopted May 25, 2025), was read in full: it elects the State Construction Code, creates a construction board of appeals, adopts the property maintenance code with amendments, and covers smoke detectors, moving of buildings, floodplain management, rental inspections and short-term rentals; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The Permit Applications page states no layer rule.
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). Chapter 6 of the Ludington City Code and the Permit Applications page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on roof sheathing.
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 City of Ludington's Permit Applications page or in Chapter 6 of its City Code changes this.
Local roofing hub
More roof permit pages in Michigan
Related guides
The City of Ludington's Building Department, at 400 S. Harrison Street, provides plan review, permit issuance and inspections on construction within the city limits. Its Permit Applications page says the city does not require building permits for "roof shingles" and refers electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits to the Mason County Building/Zoning Department. Section 6-26 of the City Code elects the State Construction Code, and the State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the city as its own building code enforcer. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.
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Roofing questions: Ludington, MI
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Ludington, MI?
No, Ludington, MI does not require a permit to replace a roof. Ludington's Building Department says roof shingles need no building permit, in its own words. Its Permit Applications page says "The City does not require building permits for driveways (flat work), painting (exterior or interior), roof shingles or siding." The statement names roof shingles and no other roof covering, and it sets no area or dollar limit. The same page says "The City of Ludington requires building permits for any type of construction within the City Limits." No enacted text names roof work either way: Section 6-26 of the City Code elects the State Construction Code, and state law requires a building permit "before construction of a building or structure" while also saying "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure." (MCL 125.1510) without defining ordinary repairs or capping them by size or cost. Michigan's list of work exempt from permit (Section R105.2 of the residential code, as Michigan amends it) names no roof work; Chapter 6 of the City Code (Buildings and Building Regulations), read in full, makes no amendment to it; and the city's Permit, Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule (dated JAN 2024) and its Application for Building Permit and Plan Examination have no roofing line or roofing box. The no-permit line for roof shingles is the department's stated practice; this record does not decide whether it is the department's reading of the ordinary-repairs clause. The fee schedule adds the cost of guessing wrong: "After-The-Fact Building Permits Will Include an Additional $50 Fee". The Building Department answers questions at 231-843-2956.
Is ice & water shield required in Ludington, 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). Chapter 6 of the Ludington City Code and the Permit Applications page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.
Is drip edge required in Ludington, 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 Ludington City Code and the Permit Applications page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.
Can you roof over an existing roof in Ludington, 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 city's own building ordinance, Chapter 6 of the Ludington City Code (Buildings and Building Regulations, codified through Ordinance No. 556-25, adopted May 25, 2025), was read in full: it elects the State Construction Code, creates a construction board of appeals, adopts the property maintenance code with amendments, and covers smoke detectors, moving of buildings, floodplain management, rental inspections and short-term rentals; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The Permit Applications page states no layer rule.
Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Ludington, MI?
Yes.
What building code does Ludington, 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 City of Ludington as its own building code enforcer for building, and lists the county for electrical, mechanical and plumbing. Section 6-26 of the City Code (Code 1984, Sec. 8.1) says the city "elects to make itself subject to such act and the State Construction Code promulgated by the state construction code commission" and names no edition of a residential code. The city's property maintenance code designates portions of the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (Sec. 6-56). The city's Building Department and Permit Applications pages, read October 11, 2026, name no residential code edition.