Permitting Authorities / Putnam County - Building Department
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Putnam County, FL?
Adopted codePutnam County - Building Department
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Putnam County, FL, issued by Putnam County - Building Department. Re-roofing in unincorporated Putnam County is permit work. The County's When is a Permit Required? brochure lists "Roofing and Siding." among residential work requiring a building permit, the Building Department publishes a separate Roofing Permit Application (June 2016), and its Residential Permit Checklist (2025) has a "RE-ROOF" permit type. The Roofing Permit Application asks for the type of building, whether the re-roof is a replacement or a recover, the number of existing layers, the existing roof covering and deck, the new underlayment and the "Florida Product Approval Number/Miami NOA" of the product, and notes that "Replacement will require deck nailing and a secondary water barrier." State law makes it "unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit" (section 553.79(1)(a), Florida Statutes). The applicant certifies that "no work or installation has commenced prior to the issuance of a permit," and the application carries an "ATF 2X FEE" line for after-the-fact permits. The County's brochure states that "Emergency Repairs are allowed prior to the issuance of a permit. Application for the required permit must be made on the following business day and all work must comply with the Florida Building Code." A recorded Notice of Commencement, where required, "MUST BE RECORDED AND POSTED ON THE JOBSITE BEFORE THE FIRST INSPECTION.".
Roof code checklist: Unincorporated Putnam County, FL
| Item | Answer | Code cite | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit to replace a roof | Yes | When.is_.a.permit.required.Englis... | 2026-10-16 | |
| Repair permit threshold | Not published | |||
| Layer limit / roof-over | Published | R908.3 | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-10-16 |
| Deck & sheathing | Published | ROOF.Permit.Application.June_.201... | 2026-10-16 | |
| Drip edge | Yes | R905.2.8.5 | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-10-16 |
| Ice & water shield | No | R905.1.2 | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-10-16 |
| Mid-roof inspection | Yes | Sec. 110.3 | putnam-fl.gov | 2026-10-16 |
| Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofing | No | library.municode.com | 2026-10-16 | |
| Wind design criteria | Published | library.municode.com | 2026-10-16 | |
| Adopted code | Published | Sec. 553.73(6) | library.municode.com | 2026-10-16 |
| Contractor license / registration | Yes | leg.state.fl.us | 2026-10-16 | |
| Sales & use tax | Published | dr15dss_26.pdf | 2026-10-16 |
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
Putnam County, Florida (unincorporated)
Jurisdiction type
county
Address
2509 Crill Ave., Palatka, FL 32177
Contact
- url: https://www.putnam-fl.gov/departments/development-services/building-department/
- phone: 386-329-0307
Permit portal
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
- state_level: Roofing contractor is a separately licensed trade in Florida. Section 489.105(3)(e), Florida Statutes, defines a "Roofing contractor" as "a contractor whose services are unlimited in the roofing trade," with a scope that includes "required roof-deck attachments; any repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia as needed during roof repair or replacement." Section 489.113(2) provides that a person "must be certified or registered in order to engage in the business of contracting in this state." A state-certified contractor may work statewide; under section 489.117(1)(b), "Registration allows the registrant to engage in contracting only in the counties, municipalities, or development districts where he or she has complied with all local licensing requirements, if any, and only for the type of work covered by the registration." Section 489.103(7) contains an owner-builder exemption for "Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing direct, onsite supervision themselves of all work not performed by licensed contractors," including one- and two-family residences for the owner's own occupancy or use and not offered for sale or lease; this record does not decide whether a particular reader falls within it. The County's Who Needs a Contractor's License? sheet lists "Roofer" among construction trades requiring a state license.
- county_level: Putnam County Code section 8-88(a) makes it "unlawful for any person to engage in the occupation of a contractor or the business of contracting until such person has first obtained and maintained a certified or authorized contractors license and, where required by state law, registered in the proper classification with the state department of business and professional regulation," except as provided in section 8-89, which exempts any person exempt from Chapter 489, Part I or Part II, Florida Statutes. Under section 8-88(d), certified contractors must furnish the county licensing administrator "a current copy of their license, proof of workers compensation insurance, or any legal exemption thereto, and proof of liability insurance as required by state law prior to contracting in the county," and pay a biennial file maintenance fee. The Building Department's State Certified Contractor Requirements sheet (revised 03/03/2026) asks for a copy of the state license, proof of liability insurance, proof of workers' compensation coverage or a valid exemption, and current contact information, with insurance certificates listing Putnam County Planning & Development Services as the certificate holder. Section 8-88(b) requires a contractor's state or county license number in advertising, including on business vehicles. The County's building and roofing permit applications ask for the contractor's state certification or registration number and local certificate of competency number, and an Owner Builder Affidavit is among the County's permit forms.
Permit process note
Re-roofing in unincorporated Putnam County is permit work. The County's When is a Permit Required? brochure lists "Roofing and Siding." among residential work requiring a building permit, the Building Department publishes a separate Roofing Permit Application (June 2016), and its Residential Permit Checklist (2025) has a "RE-ROOF" permit type. The Roofing Permit Application asks for the type of building, whether the re-roof is a replacement or a recover, the number of existing layers, the existing roof covering and deck, the new underlayment and the "Florida Product Approval Number/Miami NOA" of the product, and notes that "Replacement will require deck nailing and a secondary water barrier." State law makes it "unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit" (section 553.79(1)(a), Florida Statutes). The applicant certifies that "no work or installation has commenced prior to the issuance of a permit," and the application carries an "ATF 2X FEE" line for after-the-fact permits. The County's brochure states that "Emergency Repairs are allowed prior to the issuance of a permit. Application for the required permit must be made on the following business day and all work must comply with the Florida Building Code." A recorded Notice of Commencement, where required, "MUST BE RECORDED AND POSTED ON THE JOBSITE BEFORE THE FIRST INSPECTION."
Adopted code
Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Residential volume (2021 International Residential Code base), effective December 31, 2023, adopted statewide by the Florida Building Commission under Rule 61G20-1.001, Florida Administrative Code; section 553.73(6), Florida Statutes, provides that the code and each update "is deemed adopted for use statewide without adoptions by local government." Putnam County Code section 8-20 states that "The county is required by state law to use the Florida Building Code to facilitate proper administration and enforcement of the construction and maintenance of structures." The County's local amendments in section 8-21 are owner exemptions for small accessory buildings, decks and entry porches, administrative amendments to the code's Chapter 1, and flood hazard provisions; the County's building chapter (Putnam County Code Chapter 8, read in full) contains no amendment to the roofing provisions of the Florida Building Code.
Drip edge
Required — Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R905.2.8.5 Drip edge: "Provide drip edge at eaves and gables of shingle roofs. Overlap to be a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm). Eave drip edges shall extend 1/2 inch (13 mm) below sheathing and extend back on the roof a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm). Drip edge shall be installed over the underlayment." The requirement is written for shingle roofs. The County's building chapter (Putnam County Code Chapter 8, read in full) does not amend it. About drip edge
Ice & water shield
Not required — Not required. The Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023) reads "R905.1.2 Ice barriers. Reserved." and, for asphalt shingles, "R905.2.7 Ice barrier. Reserved." The County's building chapter (Putnam County Code Chapter 8, read in full) adds no ice barrier. A self-adhering ASTM D1970 underlayment remains one of the permitted underlayment methods; it is not prohibited. About ice & water barrier
Mid-roof inspection
Required — The Florida Building Code, Building, section 110.3, which applies to residential permits, lists a "Roofing inspection" that "Shall at a minimum include the following building components," listed as dry-in, insulation, roof coverings and flashing. The County's Roofing Permit Application notes that a replacement "will require deck nailing and a secondary water barrier." Inspections are requested through the County's online permit portal or, if that is not possible, by email to the Building Department with the permit number, address, inspection type and date requested.
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither Putnam County Code section 8-21 (the County's local amendments to the Florida Building Code) nor any other part of the County's building chapter (Chapter 8, read in full) amends the roofing provisions; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the Florida Building Code, Residential Chapter 9, Building Chapter 15 or Existing Building Chapter 7 as they apply in unincorporated Putnam County.
Wind design criteria
Putnam County Code section 8-22 (Ord. No. 2013-19, July 23, 2013), enacted under the edition of the Florida Building Code then in force, establishes wind speeds within the county: "Risk Category II, Figure 1609A, the Ultimate Design Wind Speed for the development of wind loads shall be 129 mph"; Risk Category I is 120 mph and Risk Categories III and IV are 140 mph, and "Linear interpolation of the established wind speed may be allowed when such determination is done, in writing, by a state registered design professional." The section has not been amended since the 8th Edition (2023) took effect, and the County's Building Department also links the statewide ultimate design wind speed map for Risk Category II buildings and a wind-borne debris map. The County's permit applications record the "Wind Zone" in plan review. Putnam County is not in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which the Florida Building Code defines as Broward and Miami-Dade counties. This record reads no design wind speed off any map.
Roof layer limit / recover
Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.3 Recovering versus replacement: "New roof coverings shall not be installed without first removing all existing layers of roof coverings where any of the following conditions occur: 1. Where the existing roof or roof covering is water soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing. 2. Where the existing roof covering is wood shingle or shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. 3. Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." A single re-cover over one existing layer is therefore the most the code allows. The County's building chapter (Putnam County Code Chapter 8, read in full) states no layer limit of its own and does not amend section R908.3. The County's Roofing Permit Application agrees: "When the existing roof has 2 or more applications of any roof type replacement is mandatory."
Deck & sheathing requirements
Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.7 Wind mitigation: "When a roof covering on an existing structure with a sawn lumber, wood plank or wood structural panel roof deck is removed and replaced, the following procedures shall be permitted to be performed by the roofing contractor: (a) Roof-decking attachment shall be as required by Section R908.7.1. (b) A secondary water barrier shall be provided as required by Section R908.7.2. Exception: Structures permitted subject to the Florida Building Code are not required to comply with this section." Under section R908.7.1.1, plank decking "secured with at least two nails (minimum size 8d) to each roof framing member it crosses shall be deemed to be sufficiently connected." The County's Roofing Permit Application states: "Replacement will require deck nailing and a secondary water barrier," and asks for the existing roof deck material and size. Section R908.1.1 (the 25 percent rule): "Not more than 25 percent of the total roof area or roof section of any existing building or structure shall be repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12-month period unless the roof covering on the entire existing roof system or roof section is replaced or recovered to conform to the requirements of this code," with an exception for roofs built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later.
Sales & use tax
7% combined: 6% Florida state sales and use tax plus Putnam County's 1% discretionary sales surtax, which the Department of Revenue's Form DR-15DSS for calendar year 2026 lists as effective January 1, 2003, with an expiration date of December 31, 2032. Under Rule 12A-1.051, Florida Administrative Code, "Roofing work" is a real property contract, and "Contractors are the ultimate consumers of materials and supplies they use to perform real property contracts and must pay tax on their costs of those materials and supplies, unless the contractor has entered a retail sale plus installation contract"; such contractors "should charge no tax to their customers, regardless of whether they itemize charges for materials and labor in their proposals or invoices." The rate is the roofer's cost on materials, repair and replacement alike, not a tax charged to the homeowner.
More roof permit pages in Florida
Unincorporated Seminole County, FLRoof permit
Unincorporated St. Johns County, FLRoof permit
Unincorporated Sumter County, FLRoof permit
Unincorporated Suwannee County, FLRoof permit
Unincorporated Volusia County, FLRoof permit
Roofing in FloridaState hub
Related guides
The Putnam County Building Department, part of the County's Development Services, handles permitting, inspections and contractor licensing for unincorporated Putnam County. It issues building permits, including roofing permits, through the County's online permitting system and at its office on Crill Avenue in Palatka. The cities in Putnam County that have no interlocal agreement with the County handle building within their own city limits.
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Sources
- putnam-fl.gov verified 2026-10-16
- putnam-fl.gov verified 2026-10-16
- putnam-fl.gov verified 2026-10-16
- leg.state.fl.us verified 2026-10-16
- library.municode.com verified 2026-10-16
- putnam-fl.gov verified 2026-10-16
- codes.iccsafe.org verified 2026-10-16
- floridarevenue.com verified 2026-10-16