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Permitting Authorities / Ravenna Township - Zoning and Building Permits

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

Adopted code

Ravenna Township - Zoning and Building Permits

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Ravenna, MI, issued by Ravenna Township - Zoning and Building Permits. Ravenna Township publishes nothing specific to roof work. With the township silent on reroofs, the state's general permit rule applies: "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." The same section says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," without defining ordinary repairs, and the township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. The township's Contact page FAQ sends a builder first to the zoning administrator ("you must fill out a Zoning Compliance Form") and then to "the proper permits as issued by the building department/inspectors", and its Zoning Administration page says the township partners with Fresh Coast Planning as its Zoning Administrator, who is at the township office on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. by appointment. The township's Zoning Compliance Application carries "Application Fee: $50.00", and its fee schedule heads a list "Building Department Fees" with "Projects started without required permits will be subject to a Stop Work Order fee of $100.00" and "A civil infraction ticket with fines may also be issued."; the schedule lists no building permit or roofing fee, so ask the township office for the current fee. The township office is at 3770 Blackmer Road, Ravenna, MI 49451, phone 231-853-6205, open Monday through Wednesday from 9:00am to 2:00pm, closed Thursday, and Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Roof code checklist: Township of Ravenna, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesravennatwp.com2026-10-13
Repair permit thresholdPublishedravennatwp.com2026-10-13
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-13
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-13
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-13
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-13
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-13
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 103.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-13
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-13
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-13

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 Ravenna, Muskegon County, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
3770 Blackmer Road, Ravenna, MI 49451
Contact
  • url: https://www.ravennatwp.com/contact
  • phone: 231-853-6205
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.
Permit process note
Ravenna Township publishes nothing specific to roof work. With the township silent on reroofs, the state's general permit rule applies: "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." The same section says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," without defining ordinary repairs, and the township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. The township's Contact page FAQ sends a builder first to the zoning administrator ("you must fill out a Zoning Compliance Form") and then to "the proper permits as issued by the building department/inspectors", and its Zoning Administration page says the township partners with Fresh Coast Planning as its Zoning Administrator, who is at the township office on Tuesday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. by appointment. The township's Zoning Compliance Application carries "Application Fee: $50.00", and its fee schedule heads a list "Building Department Fees" with "Projects started without required permits will be subject to a Stop Work Order fee of $100.00" and "A civil infraction ticket with fines may also be issued."; the schedule lists no building permit or roofing fee, so ask the township office for the current fee. The township office is at 3770 Blackmer Road, Ravenna, MI 49451, phone 231-853-6205, open Monday through Wednesday from 9:00am to 2:00pm, closed Thursday, and Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
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 Ravenna in Muskegon County as its own building code enforcer. Locally, the township's Property Maintenance Code ordinance (Ord. No. 19-01, effective April 21, 2019) adopts "The 2015 International Property Maintenance Code" and its Section 103.2 appoints "the official responsible for enforcement of the Building Code in the Township of Ravenna", its Housing Law ordinance (Ord. No. 03-02) adopts the Housing Law of Michigan, and its Zoning Compliance Application refers to "the Ordinances and Building Code of Ravenna Township"; none of these names a residential code edition, and no building code ordinance is posted on the township's General Ordinances page, 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 Ravenna Township pages, ordinances list and Zoning Ordinance 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 Ravenna Township pages, ordinances list and Zoning Ordinance 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 Ravenna Township pages, ordinances list and Zoning Ordinance were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
Ravenna Township publishes nothing on reroofs. Its Contact page FAQ says "Anytime you need to build a house or renovate an existing structure, the zoning administrator must approve your project" and "Once you are approved by the zoning administrator, you have to obtain the proper permits as issued by the building department/inspectors", and Section 20.3(A) of its Zoning Ordinance says "A permit for erection, alteration, moving, or repair of any building shall not be issued until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance has been issued therefor." None of these names roofing, and the township posts no building permit application, no building inspector line, no building permit fee line and no size, square or dollar point below which roof work needs no building permit. 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. The township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. Call the township office at 231-853-6205 before a reroof or a small roof repair.
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 General Ordinances page lists no building code ordinance; of the ordinances it does list, the Property Maintenance Code ordinance and the Housing Law ordinance were read in full, and neither contains a reroofing provision. The Property Maintenance Code ordinance adopts the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code with changes to its jurisdiction, code official, fees, penalties, weed height, window screens and heat supply sections, and the Housing Law ordinance adopts the Housing Law of Michigan by reference. The township has no posted building ordinance, so no local reroofing rule was read and none is stated here.
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 Ravenna Township pages, ordinances list and Zoning Ordinance 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 Ravenna Township pages, fee schedule or ordinances changes this.

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Ravenna Township, in Muskegon County, runs zoning compliance review through its Zoning Administrator and sends building permits to its building department and inspectors, from the township office at 3770 Blackmer Road in Ravenna. The State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the Township as its own building code enforcer. 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 Ravenna, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Ravenna, MI. Ravenna Township publishes nothing on reroofs. Its Contact page FAQ says "Anytime you need to build a house or renovate an existing structure, the zoning administrator must approve your project" and "Once you are approved by the zoning administrator, you have to obtain the proper permits as issued by the building department/inspectors", and Section 20.3(A) of its Zoning Ordinance says "A permit for erection, alteration, moving, or repair of any building shall not be issued until a Certificate of Zoning Compliance has been issued therefor." None of these names roofing, and the township posts no building permit application, no building inspector line, no building permit fee line and no size, square or dollar point below which roof work needs no building permit. 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. The township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. Call the township office at 231-853-6205 before a reroof or a small roof repair.

Is ice & water shield required in Township of Ravenna, 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 Ravenna Township pages, ordinances list and Zoning Ordinance were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Township of Ravenna, 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 Ravenna Township pages, ordinances list and Zoning Ordinance were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Ravenna, 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 General Ordinances page lists no building code ordinance; of the ordinances it does list, the Property Maintenance Code ordinance and the Housing Law ordinance were read in full, and neither contains a reroofing provision. The Property Maintenance Code ordinance adopts the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code with changes to its jurisdiction, code official, fees, penalties, weed height, window screens and heat supply sections, and the Housing Law ordinance adopts the Housing Law of Michigan by reference. The township has no posted building ordinance, so no local reroofing rule was read and none is stated here.

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

Yes.

What building code does Township of Ravenna, 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 Ravenna in Muskegon County as its own building code enforcer. Locally, the township's Property Maintenance Code ordinance (Ord. No. 19-01, effective April 21, 2019) adopts "The 2015 International Property Maintenance Code" and its Section 103.2 appoints "the official responsible for enforcement of the Building Code in the Township of Ravenna", its Housing Law ordinance (Ord. No. 03-02) adopts the Housing Law of Michigan, and its Zoning Compliance Application refers to "the Ordinances and Building Code of Ravenna Township"; none of these names a residential code edition, and no building code ordinance is posted on the township's General Ordinances page, so this record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above.