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

Roofing questions: Manistee, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Manistee, MI. The City of Manistee lists reroofing as permit work and also publishes an ordinary-repairs guide that treats re-covering as exempt, so both statements are quoted here. The City's Residential Building Permit Application, read Oct 12, 2026 and carrying no date, lists "ROOFING OR REROOFING" among its types of improvement. The City's guide "Ordinary Repairs Exempt from Permit", updated 8/8/2024, says for roofing: "Adding a layer to existing roof (2 layers total max) or removal and replacement of existing roofing only. Replacement of roof sheathing/decking requires a permit. Work must comply with Section R908 of the 2015 Michigan Residential Code." The guide adds "In accordance with the Michigan Building Code, this does NOT apply to commercial buildings (a building with ANY commercial use)." The City's permitting page says "Some renovations could be categorized as ordinary repairs." and "YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY PERMITS FOR YOUR PROJECT." The record does not decide which of the City's statements the Building Inspector applies to an ordinary residential reroof. 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. The City's fee schedule, adopted 4-2-2024, says "Any person who fails to obtain a permit and pay the required fee prior to the commencement of work shall pay a fee twice that as shall be prescribed by the provisions of this resolution for the issuance of said permit." Before a reroof, ask the Building Inspector at (231) 398-2806.

Is ice & water shield required in Manistee, 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 City's permitting page, ordinary-repairs guide, permit application and fee schedule, and Part Fourteen of its Codified Ordinances, were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Manistee, 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). The City's permitting page, ordinary-repairs guide, permit application and fee schedule, and Part Fourteen of its Codified Ordinances, were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Manistee, 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, Part Fourteen (Building and Housing Code) of the City of Manistee's Codified Ordinances was read chapter by chapter (Chapters 1420, 1454, 1462, 1464, 1468, 1472, 1478, 1480, 1482 and 1489): it adopts the state construction code by reference, designates the enforcing agency, sets fees by resolution, adopts a property maintenance code and regulates antennas, moving, numbering and rentals; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The City's ordinary-repairs guide agrees with the base rule: it says "Adding a layer to existing roof (2 layers total max)".

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

Yes.

What building code does Manistee, 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 Manistee as its own building code enforcer. Section 1420.01 of the City's Codified Ordinances (amended June 2025) adopts "the Stille-Derossett-Hale Single State Construction Code" by reference "as the Building, Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Code of the City of Manistee" and names no edition. The City's ordinary-repairs guide, updated 8/8/2024, says roofing work "must comply with Section R908 of the 2015 Michigan Residential Code."