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Permitting Authorities / Northfield Township - Building and Zoning Department

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

Adopted code

Northfield Township - Building and Zoning Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Northfield, MI, issued by Northfield Township - Building and Zoning Department. In Northfield Township a reroof is permit work. The Building and Zoning Department's page lists "residential and commercial roofing" among the work for which "a permit is required", and says "It is a serious offense to complete construction without a permit." The page adds "An additional $100 fee will be assessed on any permit for work started without first obtaining the proper approvals and permits." The township asks for zoning compliance first: "The purpose of this step is to verify the need for any permit, confirm the correct zoning of your property, and ensure the correct process is followed." Applications are on the township's forms or online through BS&A Online ("NOW AVAILABLE - ONLINE PERMIT APPLICATIONS"). Inspections are scheduled by calling "at least 24 hours prior to the desired day", building inspections run Monday to Friday, and "A $75 reinspection fee will be charged for any missed or disapproved inspection." Call the Building Department at (734) 449-5000. The page says revised permit fees are in effect and links a fee schedule that is served through a document system that could not be read for this record, so ask the department for the current roofing permit fee.

Roof code checklist: Township of Northfield, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesnorthfieldmi.gov2026-10-11
Repair permit thresholdPublishednorthfieldmi.gov2026-10-11
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-11
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-11
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-11
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-11
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-11
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-11
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-11
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-11

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 Northfield, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
8350 Main Street, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
Contact
  • url: https://northfieldmi.gov/services_and_departments/building_and_zoning.php
  • phone: 734-449-5000
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: The Northfield Township Building and Zoning Department says "Contractors are required to register with the Township prior to obtaining all permits" and "The cost for Contractor Registration is $15.00." Its page adds "Please include a copy of a current State License and Driver's License." The Building Permit Requirements sheet says trade-permit contractors must be "State of MI Licensed and registered with the Township." This record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside a state exemption.
Permit process note
In Northfield Township a reroof is permit work. The Building and Zoning Department's page lists "residential and commercial roofing" among the work for which "a permit is required", and says "It is a serious offense to complete construction without a permit." The page adds "An additional $100 fee will be assessed on any permit for work started without first obtaining the proper approvals and permits." The township asks for zoning compliance first: "The purpose of this step is to verify the need for any permit, confirm the correct zoning of your property, and ensure the correct process is followed." Applications are on the township's forms or online through BS&A Online ("NOW AVAILABLE - ONLINE PERMIT APPLICATIONS"). Inspections are scheduled by calling "at least 24 hours prior to the desired day", building inspections run Monday to Friday, and "A $75 reinspection fee will be charged for any missed or disapproved inspection." Call the Building Department at (734) 449-5000. The page says revised permit fees are in effect and links a fee schedule that is served through a document system that could not be read for this record, so ask the department for the current roofing permit fee.
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." Northfield Township's Building and Zoning Department page says "Northfield Township has adopted the following codes that must be followed" and lists "2015 Michigan Residential Code" together with the 2021 Michigan Building Code, 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code, 2021 Michigan Energy Code, 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code, 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code and "2021 Michigan Energy Code residential"; the township's page names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for houses. LARA's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Northfield as its own building code enforcer. Sec. 6-19 of the township's Code of Ordinances designates the "building and zoning administrator of the township" as the enforcing agency and 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). Chapter 6 of the Northfield Township Code of Ordinances and the Building and Zoning Department's page were read for a local rule and state 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). Chapter 6 of the Northfield Township Code of Ordinances and the Building and Zoning Department's page were read for a local rule and state 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." Chapter 6 of the Northfield Township Code of Ordinances and the Building and Zoning Department's page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
No size or cost threshold is published. The Northfield Township Building and Zoning Department says "a permit is required for decks, pools, sheds, residential and commercial roofing, demolition, driveways (inspection fee only), finishing a basement" and other listed work, and adds "If you are unsure in any way, please consult our office for information on Permits." 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 own building ordinance, Chapter 6 of the Northfield Township Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, Articles I to V), was read in full: it designates the enforcing agency, designates flood hazard areas, adopts the International Property Maintenance Code and sets up building numbering; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The Building and Zoning Department's 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 Northfield Township Code of Ordinances and the Building and Zoning Department's 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 Northfield Township Building and Zoning Department page or in Chapter 6 of the township's Code of Ordinances changes this.

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Northfield Township's Building and Zoning Department, at the township offices at 8350 Main Street in Whitmore Lake, enforces the township's building codes and issues building permits, including for residential roofing. Article II of Chapter 6 of the township's Code of Ordinances designates the township's building and zoning administrator as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act, and the State of Michigan's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Northfield 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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Sources

Roofing questions: Township of Northfield, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Northfield, MI. No size or cost threshold is published. The Northfield Township Building and Zoning Department says "a permit is required for decks, pools, sheds, residential and commercial roofing, demolition, driveways (inspection fee only), finishing a basement" and other listed work, and adds "If you are unsure in any way, please consult our office for information on Permits." 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 Northfield, 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 Northfield Township Code of Ordinances and the Building and Zoning Department's page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Township of Northfield, 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 Northfield Township Code of Ordinances and the Building and Zoning Department's page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Northfield, 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 own building ordinance, Chapter 6 of the Northfield Township Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, Articles I to V), was read in full: it designates the enforcing agency, designates flood hazard areas, adopts the International Property Maintenance Code and sets up building numbering; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The Building and Zoning Department's page states no layer rule.

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

Yes.

What building code does Township of Northfield, 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." Northfield Township's Building and Zoning Department page says "Northfield Township has adopted the following codes that must be followed" and lists "2015 Michigan Residential Code" together with the 2021 Michigan Building Code, 2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code, 2021 Michigan Energy Code, 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code, 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code and "2021 Michigan Energy Code residential"; the township's page names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for houses. LARA's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Northfield as its own building code enforcer. Sec. 6-19 of the township's Code of Ordinances designates the "building and zoning administrator of the township" as the enforcing agency and names no residential code edition.