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Permitting Authorities / City of Muskegon - Building and Inspection Services

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

Adopted code

City of Muskegon - Building and Inspection Services

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Muskegon, MI, issued by City of Muskegon - Building and Inspection Services. Plan on a building permit for a reroof in Muskegon. On the city's 2026 building permit application, mark "Complete tear off and re-roof" with the number of squares, or "Roof Over", which the form marks "(requires pre-inspection)"; the form also asks whether sheathing is being replaced, whether the roof is metal, and whether a property in a historic district needs historic district commission approval. Enter the value of the job: the building fee schedule prices a permit by project value, starting at $55.00 for work up to $1,000. The department's residential re-roofing guide (published by SAFEbuilt, 11/01/2012) says "the permit holder must call for a Final Roof inspection", that "A mid roof inspection may be required." (ask the department when the permit is issued), and that a homeowner may do the reroof personally. Contractors must register with the city first (see the registration details). Building and Inspection Services, City Hall, 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49440, (231) 724-6715.

Roof code checklist: Muskegon, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYes2026-Building-Permit-Application-...2026-10-03
Repair permit thresholdPublished2026-Building-Permit-Application-...2026-10-03
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-03
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-03
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-03
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-03
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-03
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 10-31ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-03
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-03
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-03

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 Muskegon, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
933 Terrace Street (City Hall), Muskegon, MI 49440
Contact
  • url: https://muskegon-mi.gov/city-services/public-safety-inspections/building-inspection-services/
  • phone: 231-724-6715
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: Muskegon requires contractor registration before any permit: "Any contractor applying for a permit under any construction code of the city shall, upon application, or annually, register such contractors' name, address, telephone number and full information concerning such contractors' state license, if required, including the number of the license, with the city," with a fee set by resolution, and "No permit under any construction code in effect or enforced by the city shall be issued without such information being on file" (Code of Ordinances Section 10-1). The city's Contractor Registration form says "All contractors must register with the City of Muskegon before applying for Building, Plumbing, Mechanical or Electrical permits" and asks residential builders for a copy of the current licence.
Permit process note
Plan on a building permit for a reroof in Muskegon. On the city's 2026 building permit application, mark "Complete tear off and re-roof" with the number of squares, or "Roof Over", which the form marks "(requires pre-inspection)"; the form also asks whether sheathing is being replaced, whether the roof is metal, and whether a property in a historic district needs historic district commission approval. Enter the value of the job: the building fee schedule prices a permit by project value, starting at $55.00 for work up to $1,000. The department's residential re-roofing guide (published by SAFEbuilt, 11/01/2012) says "the permit holder must call for a Final Roof inspection", that "A mid roof inspection may be required." (ask the department when the permit is issued), and that a homeowner may do the reroof personally. Contractors must register with the city first (see the registration details). Building and Inspection Services, City Hall, 933 Terrace Street, Muskegon, MI 49440, (231) 724-6715.
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 Muskegon as its own building code enforcing agency. Muskegon's construction code article (Code of Ordinances Section 10-31) designates the city's building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing officials as the enforcing agencies and says "The city assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the Act throughout its corporate limits"; it names 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). Muskegon's building ordinance, Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Articles I and II (read in full), states nothing further on drip edge. 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). Muskegon's building ordinance, Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Articles I and II (read in full), states nothing further on ice barrier. 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." Muskegon's building ordinance, Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Articles I and II (read in full), adds no roof-covering rule; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in it.
Repair permit threshold
Muskegon treats a reroof as permit work and publishes no size or dollar line below which roof work needs no permit. Its 2026 building permit application has a dedicated "ROOFING JOBS" section with boxes for "Complete tear off and re-roof" (with the number of squares) and "Roof Over", and the department's residential re-roofing guide opens with the question "Why do I need a permit to re-roof my house?" State law requires that "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit" (MCL 125.1510(1)), and the act defines construction to mean "the construction, erection, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, demolition, repair, moving, or equipping of buildings or structures" (MCL 125.1502a(n)). The same section says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure." (MCL 125.1510(7)), without defining ordinary repairs, and the permit exemptions in the Michigan Residential Code name no roofing. Muskegon's construction code article (Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Article II) designates the city's inspection officials as the enforcing agency and contains no permit exemption of its own.
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." Muskegon's own building ordinance, Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Articles I (In General) and II (Construction Codes), was read in full: it registers contractors, sets up the department of inspections, designates the enforcing agency and creates the construction board of appeals, and touches nothing in the reroofing section, so the state limit applies unchanged. The department's residential re-roofing guide agrees, answering "How many layers of roofing are allowed?" with "A maximum of two layers."
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). Muskegon's building ordinance, Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Articles I and II (read in full), states 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." The City of Muskegon adds no sales tax of its own, so 6% is the whole rate on a job there.

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The City of Muskegon Building and Inspection Services Department, at City Hall, 933 Terrace Street, issues building permits and inspects construction in Muskegon, and its building permit application has its own section for roofing jobs. Michigan applies one residential code statewide, so the roofing rules below are state law; the city enforces them and sets its own permit fees.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Muskegon, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Muskegon, MI. Muskegon treats a reroof as permit work and publishes no size or dollar line below which roof work needs no permit. Its 2026 building permit application has a dedicated "ROOFING JOBS" section with boxes for "Complete tear off and re-roof" (with the number of squares) and "Roof Over", and the department's residential re-roofing guide opens with the question "Why do I need a permit to re-roof my house?" State law requires that "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit" (MCL 125.1510(1)), and the act defines construction to mean "the construction, erection, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, demolition, repair, moving, or equipping of buildings or structures" (MCL 125.1502a(n)). The same section says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure." (MCL 125.1510(7)), without defining ordinary repairs, and the permit exemptions in the Michigan Residential Code name no roofing. Muskegon's construction code article (Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Article II) designates the city's inspection officials as the enforcing agency and contains no permit exemption of its own.

Is ice & water shield required in Muskegon, 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). Muskegon's building ordinance, Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Articles I and II (read in full), states nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Muskegon, 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). Muskegon's building ordinance, Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Articles I and II (read in full), states nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Muskegon, 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." Muskegon's own building ordinance, Code of Ordinances Chapter 10, Articles I (In General) and II (Construction Codes), was read in full: it registers contractors, sets up the department of inspections, designates the enforcing agency and creates the construction board of appeals, and touches nothing in the reroofing section, so the state limit applies unchanged. The department's residential re-roofing guide agrees, answering "How many layers of roofing are allowed?" with "A maximum of two layers."

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

Yes.

What building code does Muskegon, 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 Muskegon as its own building code enforcing agency. Muskegon's construction code article (Code of Ordinances Section 10-31) designates the city's building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing officials as the enforcing agencies and says "The city assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the Act throughout its corporate limits"; it names no residential code edition.