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

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

Adopted code

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Otsego, MI, issued by Otsego Township - Building Department (Professional Code Inspections of Michigan, Dorr office). Otsego Township has published nothing that names roof work, and neither has the firm that runs its building department, so the general permit rule supplies the requirement and the township's referral to the firm is quoted: "Please contact them at the following number:" 616-877-2000. Professional Code Inspections of Michigan, Inc. lists Otsego Township among the municipalities served by its Dorr office, at 1575 142nd Street, Dorr, MI 49323. Its Building Permit Requirements sheet asks for "A COMPLETED BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION (INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL DELAY YOUR PROJECT)", plans and drawings for building projects, a site diagram and a legal description of the property, and the township page says its Building Permit applications "can also be downloaded from their website". The firm's BS&A Online page says building permit applications can be submitted online and that contractors "can use the system to request inspections for issued permits" once a permit is issued. The application's permit fee block is left for the department to complete and neither the township page nor the firm's pages read for this record post a fee schedule for Otsego Township, so ask the firm for the current fee. The township hall, at 400 N. 16th St. in Otsego, does not issue building permits.

Roof code checklist: Township of Otsego, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesotsegotownship.org2026-10-12
Repair permit thresholdPublishedotsegotownship.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 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
Township of Otsego, Allegan County, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
1575 142nd Street, Dorr, MI 49323
Contact
  • url: https://www.otsegotownship.org/building-planning-and-zoning/
  • 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 firm's Building Permit Application for the township asks the contractor for a builders license number and expiration date, a federal employer ID number or the reason for exemption, workers compensation insurance or the reason for exemption and an MESC employer number or the reason for exemption. The township's pages and the firm's pages read for this record name no separate township contractor registration. This record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside a state exemption.
Permit process note
Otsego Township has published nothing that names roof work, and neither has the firm that runs its building department, so the general permit rule supplies the requirement and the township's referral to the firm is quoted: "Please contact them at the following number:" 616-877-2000. Professional Code Inspections of Michigan, Inc. lists Otsego Township among the municipalities served by its Dorr office, at 1575 142nd Street, Dorr, MI 49323. Its Building Permit Requirements sheet asks for "A COMPLETED BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION (INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL DELAY YOUR PROJECT)", plans and drawings for building projects, a site diagram and a legal description of the property, and the township page says its Building Permit applications "can also be downloaded from their website". The firm's BS&A Online page says building permit applications can be submitted online and that contractors "can use the system to request inspections for issued permits" once a permit is issued. The application's permit fee block is left for the department to complete and neither the township page nor the firm's pages read for this record post a fee schedule for Otsego Township, so ask the firm for the current fee. The township hall, at 400 N. 16th St. in Otsego, does not issue building permits.
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 Township of Otsego as its own building code enforcer. The township's website posts no building code ordinance, only a 2019 Zoning Ordinance that refers to "the Michigan Residential Code" without naming an edition, and Professional Code Inspections' Building Permit Requirements sheet names "2015 ENERGY CODE" for energy compliance and no residential code edition. No township or firm document read names a residential code older than 2015, so this record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above.
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 township page, the firm's Building Permit Application and Building Permit Requirements sheet and the township's 2019 Zoning Ordinance were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. No township building code ordinance text was found. 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 township page, the firm's Building Permit Application and Building Permit Requirements sheet and the township's 2019 Zoning Ordinance were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. No township building code ordinance text was found. 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 township page, the firm's Building Permit Application and Building Permit Requirements sheet and the township's 2019 Zoning Ordinance were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance. No township building code ordinance text was found.
Repair permit threshold
No size or cost threshold is published for roof work. The township's Building, Planning, and Zoning page says "Building & Zoning Administration for Otsego Township is provided by Professional Code Inspection of Michigan, Inc." and gives that firm's number, 616-877-2000. The firm's Building Permit Requirements sheet says "THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH ALL BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS" and its Building Permit Application lists "ALTERATION" among the project types; neither names roofing or reroofing, and the township's Zoning Ordinance adds no reroofing permit rule. 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. Ask Professional Code Inspections (616-877-2000) before starting a roof job.
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." The township's website posts no building ordinance, no Municode listing for the township was found, and its 2019 Zoning Ordinance was read for roofing text and contains no reroofing or layer provision, so this record states the state rule and does not classify the township's own text. The township page and the firm's permit forms state 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). The township page, the firm's Building Permit Application and Building Permit Requirements sheet and the township's 2019 Zoning Ordinance were read for a local rule and state nothing further on roof sheathing. No township building code ordinance text was found.
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 Otsego Township page or the firm's pages changes this.

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Otsego Township, in Allegan County, has its building and zoning administration provided by Professional Code Inspections of Michigan, Inc., a private firm whose Dorr office at 1575 142nd Street in Dorr issues the township's building permits and inspects the work. The township hall is at 400 N. 16th St. in Otsego. The State of Michigan's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the Township of Otsego as its own building code enforcer. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

Working an insurance claim in Township of Otsego, MI? Everything on this page (drip edge, ice & water shield, inspections, Class 4 rules) formatted as a claim-ready evidence pack: verbatim ordinance quotes, code section cites, verification dates, and official source links, ready to attach to a supplement. See a real sample pack (PDF, 4 pages, free).

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Sources

Roofing questions: Township of Otsego, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Otsego, MI. No size or cost threshold is published for roof work. The township's Building, Planning, and Zoning page says "Building & Zoning Administration for Otsego Township is provided by Professional Code Inspection of Michigan, Inc." and gives that firm's number, 616-877-2000. The firm's Building Permit Requirements sheet says "THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH ALL BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS" and its Building Permit Application lists "ALTERATION" among the project types; neither names roofing or reroofing, and the township's Zoning Ordinance adds no reroofing permit rule. 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. Ask Professional Code Inspections (616-877-2000) before starting a roof job.

Is ice & water shield required in Township of 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). The township page, the firm's Building Permit Application and Building Permit Requirements sheet and the township's 2019 Zoning Ordinance were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. No township building code ordinance text was found.

Is drip edge required in Township of 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). The township page, the firm's Building Permit Application and Building Permit Requirements sheet and the township's 2019 Zoning Ordinance were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. No township building code ordinance text was found.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of 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." The township's website posts no building ordinance, no Municode listing for the township was found, and its 2019 Zoning Ordinance was read for roofing text and contains no reroofing or layer provision, so this record states the state rule and does not classify the township's own text. The township page and the firm's permit forms state no layer rule.

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

Yes.

What building code does Township of 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 Township of Otsego as its own building code enforcer. The township's website posts no building code ordinance, only a 2019 Zoning Ordinance that refers to "the Michigan Residential Code" without naming an edition, and Professional Code Inspections' Building Permit Requirements sheet names "2015 ENERGY CODE" for energy compliance and no residential code edition. No township or firm document read names a residential code older than 2015, so this record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above.