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Permitting Authorities / City of Otsego - Building Department (Professional Code Inspections of Michigan, Dorr office)

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

Adopted code

City of Otsego - Building Department (Professional Code Inspections of Michigan, Dorr office)

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Otsego, MI, issued by City of Otsego - Building Department (Professional Code Inspections of Michigan, Dorr office). In the City of Otsego the city's forms page carries the Building Permit Application, and building permits are handled by Professional Code Inspections of Michigan (PCI), whose Dorr office page lists the City of Otsego, Allegan County, among the municipalities it serves. PCI's Dorr office is at 1575 142nd Street, Dorr, MI 49323, phone 616-877-2000. Its requirements sheet says "PERMIT APPLICATIONS MAY BE DOWNLOADED OFF OUR WEBSITE AT www.pcimi.com" and asks for "3 SET OF PLANS OR BLUEPRINTS FOR ALL BUILDING PROJECTS: ALSO SEND PDF OF PLANS.", a site diagram with the parcel number, and a legal description of the property; for the City of Otsego the zoning approval comes first, from City Hall at 117 East Orleans Street, Otsego, MI 49078, phone 269-692-3391. PCI's BS&A Online page says "only building permit applications can be submitted through BSA Online" and that inspections for issued permits can be scheduled through the same portal. The application says "Applicant is responsible for the payment of all fees and charges applicable to this application", and no building fee schedule is posted on the city's forms page or on PCI's Dorr forms page, so ask PCI for the current fee.

Roof code checklist: Otsego, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYescityofotsego.org2026-10-12
Repair permit thresholdPublishedcityofotsego.org2026-10-12
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 codePublished§ 7.4ars.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 Otsego, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
117 East Orleans Street, Otsego, MI 49078
Contact
  • url: https://www.cityofotsego.org/forms/
  • phone: 616-877-2000
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 city's Code of Ordinances (Chapter 10) and forms page show no separate contractor registration. The application for a building permit that Professional Code Inspections uses for the City of Otsego asks for the contractor's "BUILDERS LICENSE NO.", federal employer ID number, workers' compensation insurance carrier and MESC employer number; the city and PCI publish no registration of their own.
Permit process note
In the City of Otsego the city's forms page carries the Building Permit Application, and building permits are handled by Professional Code Inspections of Michigan (PCI), whose Dorr office page lists the City of Otsego, Allegan County, among the municipalities it serves. PCI's Dorr office is at 1575 142nd Street, Dorr, MI 49323, phone 616-877-2000. Its requirements sheet says "PERMIT APPLICATIONS MAY BE DOWNLOADED OFF OUR WEBSITE AT www.pcimi.com" and asks for "3 SET OF PLANS OR BLUEPRINTS FOR ALL BUILDING PROJECTS: ALSO SEND PDF OF PLANS.", a site diagram with the parcel number, and a legal description of the property; for the City of Otsego the zoning approval comes first, from City Hall at 117 East Orleans Street, Otsego, MI 49078, phone 269-692-3391. PCI's BS&A Online page says "only building permit applications can be submitted through BSA Online" and that inspections for issued permits can be scheduled through the same portal. The application says "Applicant is responsible for the payment of all fees and charges applicable to this application", and no building fee schedule is posted on the city's forms page or on PCI's Dorr forms page, so ask PCI for the current 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." LARA's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the City of Otsego as its own building code enforcer. Sec. 10-31 of the city's Code of Ordinances provides that "the city hereby assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement, within its political boundaries, of the state building code, the state electrical code, the state plumbing code and the state mechanical code." Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 (Code 1977, § 7.4) and Sec. 10-33 (Code 1977, § 7.5) amend Sections 116.4 and 116.5 of the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition, "administered and enforced by the city as part of the state construction code"; 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. The City of Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; its forms page and the building permit application and requirements sheet of Professional Code Inspections name no residential code edition, and the requirements sheet names only a 2015 energy code.
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 10 of the City of Otsego Code of Ordinances, the city's forms page and the building permit application and requirements sheet of Professional Code Inspections of Michigan were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 amends the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition 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). Chapter 10 of the City of Otsego Code of Ordinances, the city's forms page and the building permit application and requirements sheet of Professional Code Inspections of Michigan were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 amends the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition 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." Chapter 10 of the City of Otsego Code of Ordinances, the city's forms page and the building permit application and requirements sheet of Professional Code Inspections of Michigan were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance. Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 amends the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition text was not read (see adopted_code).
Repair permit threshold
No size or cost point is published below which roof work needs no permit in the City of Otsego, and neither the city nor Professional Code Inspections (PCI) names roof work. The city's forms page offers a "Building Permit Application", which is PCI's form: it lists new building, addition, alteration, demolition, relocation and sign among its project types, with no roof type, and asks for a "BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT". PCI's Building Permit Requirements sheet says "*THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH ALL BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS*" and "IN THE FOLOWING MUNICIPALITIES YOUR ZONING MUST BE APPROVED BEFORE SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS", naming "OTSEGO CITY - PHONE # 269-692-3391". The city's zoning ordinance, Section 19.4, says "No building permit shall be issued for the construction, erection, alteration, expansion, moving or repair of any building or other structure until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued." Under state law, "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" and "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," (MCL 125.1510), without a definition of ordinary repairs, and the city has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. For a small patch, ask PCI at 616-877-2000 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 10 (Buildings and Building Regulations) of the City of Otsego Code of Ordinances, Articles I through VI, was read in full: it covers the state construction code, the construction board of appeals, the housing and property maintenance code, dangerous buildings, moving and wrecking, and blight; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908, and the city's zoning ordinance says only that a building permit follows a certificate of zoning compliance. The city's forms page and the permit paperwork of Professional Code Inspections state no layer rule. Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 amends the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition 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). Chapter 10 of the City of Otsego Code of Ordinances, the city's forms page and the building permit application and requirements sheet of Professional Code Inspections of Michigan were read for a local rule and state nothing further on roof decks or sheathing. Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 amends the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition 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." Nothing on the City of Otsego's forms page or in PCI's building permit paperwork changes this.

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The City of Otsego, in Allegan County, with its municipal building at 117 East Orleans Street, offers a Building Permit Application on its forms page, and Professional Code Inspections of Michigan (PCI), whose Dorr office lists the City of Otsego among the municipalities it serves, handles building permits and inspections. Section 10-31 of the city's Code of Ordinances assumes responsibility for enforcing the state building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes, and the State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the City as its own building code enforcer. Otsego Township is a separate jurisdiction. Michigan applies one residential code statewide, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Otsego, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Otsego, MI. No size or cost point is published below which roof work needs no permit in the City of Otsego, and neither the city nor Professional Code Inspections (PCI) names roof work. The city's forms page offers a "Building Permit Application", which is PCI's form: it lists new building, addition, alteration, demolition, relocation and sign among its project types, with no roof type, and asks for a "BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT". PCI's Building Permit Requirements sheet says "*THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH ALL BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS*" and "IN THE FOLOWING MUNICIPALITIES YOUR ZONING MUST BE APPROVED BEFORE SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS", naming "OTSEGO CITY - PHONE # 269-692-3391". The city's zoning ordinance, Section 19.4, says "No building permit shall be issued for the construction, erection, alteration, expansion, moving or repair of any building or other structure until a certificate of zoning compliance has been issued." Under state law, "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" and "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," (MCL 125.1510), without a definition of ordinary repairs, and the city has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. For a small patch, ask PCI at 616-877-2000 before starting.

Is ice & water shield required in Otsego, 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 10 of the City of Otsego Code of Ordinances, the city's forms page and the building permit application and requirements sheet of Professional Code Inspections of Michigan were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 amends the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition text was not read (see adopted_code).

Is drip edge required in Otsego, 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 10 of the City of Otsego Code of Ordinances, the city's forms page and the building permit application and requirements sheet of Professional Code Inspections of Michigan were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 amends the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition text was not read (see adopted_code).

Can you roof over an existing roof in Otsego, 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 10 (Buildings and Building Regulations) of the City of Otsego Code of Ordinances, Articles I through VI, was read in full: it covers the state construction code, the construction board of appeals, the housing and property maintenance code, dangerous buildings, moving and wrecking, and blight; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908, and the city's zoning ordinance says only that a building permit follows a certificate of zoning compliance. The city's forms page and the permit paperwork of Professional Code Inspections state no layer rule. Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 amends the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition text was not read (see adopted_code).

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

Yes.

What building code does Otsego, 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 Otsego as its own building code enforcer. Sec. 10-31 of the city's Code of Ordinances provides that "the city hereby assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement, within its political boundaries, of the state building code, the state electrical code, the state plumbing code and the state mechanical code." Otsego's codified Sec. 10-32 (Code 1977, § 7.4) and Sec. 10-33 (Code 1977, § 7.5) amend Sections 116.4 and 116.5 of the BOCA Building Code, 1993 edition, "administered and enforced by the city as part of the state construction code"; 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. The City of Otsego has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; its forms page and the building permit application and requirements sheet of Professional Code Inspections name no residential code edition, and the requirements sheet names only a 2015 energy code.