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Permitting Authorities / Porter Township (Cass County) - Building Department

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

Adopted code

Porter Township (Cass County) - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Porter, MI, issued by Porter Township (Cass County) - Building Department. In Porter Township a reroof is a priced permit type: the Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule lists "Roof Permit Fee" at $250.00 beside remodel, deck, accessory building and demolition permits, with $75.00 for each additional inspection and for a stop work order. The Building Department's page says "PERMITS MUST BE PULLED ON ALL JOBS BEFORE WORK IS STARTED", and its posted hours are Summer 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Winter 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Thursdays. The Building Permit Information sheet says "CONTRACTORS: Copy of driver's license, builder's license, and certificate of insurance required." and "Contractors must be licensed by the state and register with the township", and "Zoning compliance must be determined before a building permit can be issued." The township's zoning ordinance adds that a building permit cannot be issued until a zoning compliance permit is obtained, except where the proposed alteration does not materially change the height or foundation of an existing structure or its type of usage. The township office, at 69373 Baldwin Prairie Rd behind the Fire Department, is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm; phone 269-641-2375. Building permits are valid for one year and work must begin within six months of the date of issue.

Roof code checklist: Township of Porter, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYes2025-Residential-Building-Permit-...2026-10-12
Repair permit thresholdPublished2025-Residential-Building-Permit-...2026-10-12
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 Porter, Cass County, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
69373 Baldwin Prairie Road, Union, MI 49130
Contact
  • url: https://portertownship.org/building-department/
  • phone: 269-641-2375
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Permit process note
In Porter Township a reroof is a priced permit type: the Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule lists "Roof Permit Fee" at $250.00 beside remodel, deck, accessory building and demolition permits, with $75.00 for each additional inspection and for a stop work order. The Building Department's page says "PERMITS MUST BE PULLED ON ALL JOBS BEFORE WORK IS STARTED", and its posted hours are Summer 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Winter 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Thursdays. The Building Permit Information sheet says "CONTRACTORS: Copy of driver's license, builder's license, and certificate of insurance required." and "Contractors must be licensed by the state and register with the township", and "Zoning compliance must be determined before a building permit can be issued." The township's zoning ordinance adds that a building permit cannot be issued until a zoning compliance permit is obtained, except where the proposed alteration does not materially change the height or foundation of an existing structure or its type of usage. The township office, at 69373 Baldwin Prairie Rd behind the Fire Department, is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm; phone 269-641-2375. Building permits are valid for one year and work must begin within six months of the date of issue.
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 Porter in Cass County as its own building code enforcer. The township's Building Code; Enforcing Agency ordinance (No. 103.000, adopted February 8, 1983) designates its building official as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act and names no edition. The township's Construction Code Fines ordinance (No. 12-11-18-02, effective February 1, 2019) covers violations of the State Construction Code and of any "nationally recognized Code adopted by the State of Michigan via administrative rule pursuant to the State Construction Code", and the township's building permit forms and information sheet name no 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). The township's building, fees and construction code ordinances, zoning ordinance sections, Building Department page and Building Permit Information sheet 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). The township's building, fees and construction code ordinances, zoning ordinance sections, Building Department page and Building Permit Information sheet 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." The township's building, fees and construction code ordinances, zoning ordinance sections, Building Department page and Building Permit Information sheet were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
Porter Township's Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule lists a dedicated roofing line, "Roof Permit Fee" at $250.00 (line 21), and the Building Department's page says "PERMITS MUST BE PULLED ON ALL JOBS BEFORE WORK IS STARTED". The department publishes no exemption or size threshold for a reroof. 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 ordinance index was read for building instruments: the Building Code; Enforcing Agency ordinance (103.000), the Building Code Fees ordinance (104.000), the Plumbing (100.000), Electrical (101.000) and Mechanical, Electrical (105.000) enforcing agency ordinances and the Construction Code Fines ordinance (No. 12-11-18-02) were read in full; the Dangerous Building ordinance (46.000), the Flood Prevention District ordinance (54.000) and the sections of the Zoning Ordinance (111.000) posted on the ordinances page were searched for roofing text. None has a reroofing or layer provision, and none amends anything in Section R908. The Building Department's permit pages 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's building, fees and construction code ordinances, zoning ordinance sections, Building Department page and Building Permit Information sheet 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 Porter Township Building Department page or fee schedule changes this.

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Porter Township's Building Department, at the township administration building at 69373 Baldwin Prairie Road in Union (Cass County), issues building permits on set hours each week, and the State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the Township of Porter as its own building code enforcer. Its residential building permit fee schedule lists a separate Roof Permit Fee of $250.00. 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 Porter, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Porter, MI. Porter Township's Residential Building Permit Fee Schedule lists a dedicated roofing line, "Roof Permit Fee" at $250.00 (line 21), and the Building Department's page says "PERMITS MUST BE PULLED ON ALL JOBS BEFORE WORK IS STARTED". The department publishes no exemption or size threshold for a reroof. 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 Porter, 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's building, fees and construction code ordinances, zoning ordinance sections, Building Department page and Building Permit Information sheet were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Township of Porter, 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's building, fees and construction code ordinances, zoning ordinance sections, Building Department page and Building Permit Information sheet were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Porter, 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 ordinance index was read for building instruments: the Building Code; Enforcing Agency ordinance (103.000), the Building Code Fees ordinance (104.000), the Plumbing (100.000), Electrical (101.000) and Mechanical, Electrical (105.000) enforcing agency ordinances and the Construction Code Fines ordinance (No. 12-11-18-02) were read in full; the Dangerous Building ordinance (46.000), the Flood Prevention District ordinance (54.000) and the sections of the Zoning Ordinance (111.000) posted on the ordinances page were searched for roofing text. None has a reroofing or layer provision, and none amends anything in Section R908. The Building Department's permit pages state no layer rule.

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

Yes.

What building code does Township of Porter, 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 Porter in Cass County as its own building code enforcer. The township's Building Code; Enforcing Agency ordinance (No. 103.000, adopted February 8, 1983) designates its building official as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act and names no edition. The township's Construction Code Fines ordinance (No. 12-11-18-02, effective February 1, 2019) covers violations of the State Construction Code and of any "nationally recognized Code adopted by the State of Michigan via administrative rule pursuant to the State Construction Code", and the township's building permit forms and information sheet name no code edition.