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Permitting Authorities / City of Northville - Building Division (Community Development)

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

Adopted code

City of Northville - Building Division (Community Development)

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Northville, MI, issued by City of Northville - Building Division (Community Development). In the City of Northville, building permits are applied for online: the Inspections & Online Permits page links "Apply for a permit online" to the city's BS&A Online portal and says "Inspection requests for the next business day must be scheduled by 3:30 pm." Its contractor instructions give the Building Department number as 248-449-9902, and the Community Development page lists an inspection hotline at 248-305-2737 and office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Applications & Permits page warns "Seven communities have a Northville mailing address; however, the property is physically located in a different jurisdiction", so check the address before applying. A property in the Historic District needs Historic District Commission action first: the fee schedule lists "Application Fee - Re-Roofing" at $100, the Staff Approval List and Standards lets the Community Development Director approve roof replacement "with materials matching the existing in profile and color", and the Code of Ordinances (Sec. 42-25) says no permit issues until the Commission has acted. The city is at 215 W Main Street, Northville, MI 48167.

Roof code checklist: Northville, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYescityofnorthvillemi.gov2026-10-12
Repair permit thresholdPublishedcityofnorthvillemi.gov2026-10-12
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
City of Northville, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
215 W Main Street, Northville, MI 48167
Contact
  • url: https://www.cityofnorthvillemi.gov/210/Inspections-Online-Permits
  • phone: 248-449-9902
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 Inspections & Online Permits page asks contractors to register for the BS&A Online contractor inspection portal and link the account to the City of Northville with a pin sent in a contractor letter; the page describes no separate city contractor licence, and none was found in the Code of Ordinances chapters read.
Permit process note
In the City of Northville, building permits are applied for online: the Inspections & Online Permits page links "Apply for a permit online" to the city's BS&A Online portal and says "Inspection requests for the next business day must be scheduled by 3:30 pm." Its contractor instructions give the Building Department number as 248-449-9902, and the Community Development page lists an inspection hotline at 248-305-2737 and office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Applications & Permits page warns "Seven communities have a Northville mailing address; however, the property is physically located in a different jurisdiction", so check the address before applying. A property in the Historic District needs Historic District Commission action first: the fee schedule lists "Application Fee - Re-Roofing" at $100, the Staff Approval List and Standards lets the Community Development Director approve roof replacement "with materials matching the existing in profile and color", and the Code of Ordinances (Sec. 42-25) says no permit issues until the Commission has acted. The city is at 215 W Main Street, Northville, MI 48167.
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 Northville as its own building code enforcer. Northville's codified Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-186 (Ord. No. 6-18-01, § 6, 7-2-01; Ord. No. 02-17-09, § 1, 3-2-09) adopts "Michigan Residential Code, effective date July 31, 2001"; this directory has not read that text, and whether the codified reference has any effect today is not decided here. This record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state construction code act applies throughout the state ("This act and the code apply throughout the state," MCL 125.1508a) and which LARA says remains in effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands. Northville has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; its Community Development page, read October 12, 2026, says it enforces "the adopted Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code". The same section adds "or as subsequently amended by the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes", and Sec. 14-31 adopts a Michigan Building Code with the same July 31, 2001 effective date.
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). The city's Inspections and Community Development pages, fee schedule and Code of Ordinances (Chapter 14, Buildings and Building Regulations, and Chapter 42, Historic Preservation, both read in full) state nothing further on drip edge. Northville's codified Sec. 14-186 adopts the Michigan Residential Code; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Northville has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the Michigan Residential Code text was not read (see adopted_code). 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). The city's Inspections and Community Development pages, fee schedule and Code of Ordinances (Chapter 14, Buildings and Building Regulations, and Chapter 42, Historic Preservation, both read in full) state nothing further on ice barrier. Northville's codified Sec. 14-186 adopts the Michigan Residential Code; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Northville has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the Michigan Residential Code text was not read (see adopted_code). 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." The City of Northville Inspections and Community Development pages and Code of Ordinances Chapters 14 and 42 state no impact rule.
Repair permit threshold
The City of Northville's Building Division page says it "performs residential and commercial building inspections and interprets, administers, and enforces the provisions of the adopted Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code", and neither it nor the Inspections & Online Permits page names roof work or states a size or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit. The city's Schedule of Fees, Fines, and Penalties (effective June 1, 2026) prices one building permit "FOR NEW BUILDING; OTHER STRUCTURES; ALTERATIONS; AND REPAIRS TO EXISTING STRUCTURES" ("Minimum fee for the first $1000 of cost" $80, then $15 per $1,000) and has no roofing line in the building section. Inside the Historic District, the Historic District Commission fee table lists "Application Fee - Re-Roofing" at $100, the Commission's Staff Approval List and Standards (adopted July 15, 2026) lets the Community Development Director approve "Replacement of roofs, gutters, downspouts, and gutter guards with materials matching the existing in profile and color", and the Code of Ordinances (Sec. 42-25) says "A permit shall not be issued and proposed work shall not proceed until the commission has acted on the application". The same Sec. 42-25 says "No fee shall be charged for applications seeking only color change, reroofing or minor classes of work", which differs from the $100 fee line. The state part: Michigan's construction code act says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" and does not define ordinary repairs. For a small repair or a reroof, call the Building Department at 248-449-9902 before starting.
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, Chapter 14 of the City of Northville Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations: agency designation, the building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and residential code adoptions, property maintenance, swimming pools and housing) and Chapter 42 (Historic Preservation) were read in full; they have no reroofing provision and amend nothing in Section R908, and the property maintenance text says only that "The roof and flashing shall be sound, tight and not have defects that admit rain." The city's Inspections page and fee schedule state no layer rule. Northville's codified Sec. 14-186 adopts the Michigan Residential Code; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Northville has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the Michigan Residential Code text was not read (see adopted_code).
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). The city's Inspections and Community Development pages, fee schedule and Code of Ordinances (Chapter 14, Buildings and Building Regulations, and Chapter 42, Historic Preservation, both read in full) state nothing further on roof decks or sheathing. Northville's codified Sec. 14-186 adopts the Michigan Residential Code; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Northville has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the Michigan Residential Code text was not read (see adopted_code).
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 same 6% applies throughout the City of Northville.

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The City of Northville's Building Division, part of the Community Development department at City Hall, 215 W Main Street, takes building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permit applications online, and its page says inspections "are performed by independent contractors under the supervision of the building official". The City's Code of Ordinances designates its building code official as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act, and the State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the City as its own building code enforcer. Michigan applies one residential code statewide, so for houses the rules below are state law.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Northville, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Northville, MI. The City of Northville's Building Division page says it "performs residential and commercial building inspections and interprets, administers, and enforces the provisions of the adopted Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code", and neither it nor the Inspections & Online Permits page names roof work or states a size or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit. The city's Schedule of Fees, Fines, and Penalties (effective June 1, 2026) prices one building permit "FOR NEW BUILDING; OTHER STRUCTURES; ALTERATIONS; AND REPAIRS TO EXISTING STRUCTURES" ("Minimum fee for the first $1000 of cost" $80, then $15 per $1,000) and has no roofing line in the building section. Inside the Historic District, the Historic District Commission fee table lists "Application Fee - Re-Roofing" at $100, the Commission's Staff Approval List and Standards (adopted July 15, 2026) lets the Community Development Director approve "Replacement of roofs, gutters, downspouts, and gutter guards with materials matching the existing in profile and color", and the Code of Ordinances (Sec. 42-25) says "A permit shall not be issued and proposed work shall not proceed until the commission has acted on the application". The same Sec. 42-25 says "No fee shall be charged for applications seeking only color change, reroofing or minor classes of work", which differs from the $100 fee line. The state part: Michigan's construction code act says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" and does not define ordinary repairs. For a small repair or a reroof, call the Building Department at 248-449-9902 before starting.

Is ice & water shield required in Northville, 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 Inspections and Community Development pages, fee schedule and Code of Ordinances (Chapter 14, Buildings and Building Regulations, and Chapter 42, Historic Preservation, both read in full) state nothing further on ice barrier. Northville's codified Sec. 14-186 adopts the Michigan Residential Code; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Northville has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the Michigan Residential Code text was not read (see adopted_code).

Is drip edge required in Northville, 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 Inspections and Community Development pages, fee schedule and Code of Ordinances (Chapter 14, Buildings and Building Regulations, and Chapter 42, Historic Preservation, both read in full) state nothing further on drip edge. Northville's codified Sec. 14-186 adopts the Michigan Residential Code; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Northville has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the Michigan Residential Code text was not read (see adopted_code).

Can you roof over an existing roof in Northville, 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, Chapter 14 of the City of Northville Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations: agency designation, the building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and residential code adoptions, property maintenance, swimming pools and housing) and Chapter 42 (Historic Preservation) were read in full; they have no reroofing provision and amend nothing in Section R908, and the property maintenance text says only that "The roof and flashing shall be sound, tight and not have defects that admit rain." The city's Inspections page and fee schedule state no layer rule. Northville's codified Sec. 14-186 adopts the Michigan Residential Code; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Northville has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the Michigan Residential Code text was not read (see adopted_code).

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

Yes.

What building code does Northville, 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 Northville as its own building code enforcer. Northville's codified Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-186 (Ord. No. 6-18-01, § 6, 7-2-01; Ord. No. 02-17-09, § 1, 3-2-09) adopts "Michigan Residential Code, effective date July 31, 2001"; this directory has not read that text, and whether the codified reference has any effect today is not decided here. This record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state construction code act applies throughout the state ("This act and the code apply throughout the state," MCL 125.1508a) and which LARA says remains in effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands. Northville has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; its Community Development page, read October 12, 2026, says it enforces "the adopted Michigan Building Code and Michigan Residential Code". The same section adds "or as subsequently amended by the Michigan Bureau of Construction Codes", and Sec. 14-31 adopts a Michigan Building Code with the same July 31, 2001 effective date.