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Permitting Authorities / Richland Township - Building Department

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

Adopted code

Richland Township - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Richland, MI, issued by Richland Township - Building Department. Richland Township's two published answers to the reroof question differ, and both were live on its website when read on October 12, 2026. The Building Department FAQ page says "Do I need a permit to roof my house" "Yes." The Building Department page's version of the FAQ says "If you are merely removing and replacing shingles, you do not need a permit. If the work involves replacing any portion of the structure or replacing the support structures or wood underneath you most likely need a permit. Call 989-737-5671." The township's zoning compliance certificate (Rev. 2018-6) lists "Re-roof: Building Permit may be required." under Repair, beside "Replace siding/gutters/shutters etc.: Building permit is not required." The township's Ordinance No. 2025-01 and its pages name no roof exemption, and the township has published nothing applying the state's ordinary-repairs relief to roof work. The Building Department page says "A minimum of 24 hours is required for review of construction plans and zoning information before a permit can be issued." and "Failure to obtain permits: A late fee of one hundred percent (100%) of the normal permit fee, but not less than $100.00." On cost, the Building Department page says "The cost of a building permit is based on the estimated cost of construction. A base permit fee of $100 (as of April 1st 2023) is required. The remainder of the cost is calculated based on an additional fee of $5.00 for every $1,000 in construction cost (subject to change)."; the older FAQ page says a base fee of "$80 (as of January 2023)" and "$8.00 for every $1,000", so confirm the current fee with the township. Once issued, "the project must commence within 6 months of that date." The Building Inspector is "available on Tuesday's 8 am until 5 pm and Thursday mornings from 8:00 am until 12:00 Noon" at the Richland Township Administration Building, 1180 N. Hemlock Rd., Hemlock, MI 48626; the Building Inspector's line is 989-737-5671 and the township office, open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, is (989) 642-2097.

Roof code checklist: Township of Richland, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesrichlandtownship.com2026-10-12
Repair permit thresholdPublishedrichlandtownship.com2026-10-12
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 Richland, Saginaw County, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
1180 N. Hemlock Road, Hemlock, MI 48626
Contact
  • url: https://richlandtownship.com/departments/building/
  • phone: 989-737-5671
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.
  • local_level: The township's building permit application asks the contractor for a "BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER" and "EXPIRATION DATE", and Ordinance No. 2025-01 provides that the township "may decline to issue new permits to any licensed contractor or representative of a contractor who has failed to correct violations". The township's pages name no township contractor registration or bond.
Permit process note
Richland Township's two published answers to the reroof question differ, and both were live on its website when read on October 12, 2026. The Building Department FAQ page says "Do I need a permit to roof my house" "Yes." The Building Department page's version of the FAQ says "If you are merely removing and replacing shingles, you do not need a permit. If the work involves replacing any portion of the structure or replacing the support structures or wood underneath you most likely need a permit. Call 989-737-5671." The township's zoning compliance certificate (Rev. 2018-6) lists "Re-roof: Building Permit may be required." under Repair, beside "Replace siding/gutters/shutters etc.: Building permit is not required." The township's Ordinance No. 2025-01 and its pages name no roof exemption, and the township has published nothing applying the state's ordinary-repairs relief to roof work. The Building Department page says "A minimum of 24 hours is required for review of construction plans and zoning information before a permit can be issued." and "Failure to obtain permits: A late fee of one hundred percent (100%) of the normal permit fee, but not less than $100.00." On cost, the Building Department page says "The cost of a building permit is based on the estimated cost of construction. A base permit fee of $100 (as of April 1st 2023) is required. The remainder of the cost is calculated based on an additional fee of $5.00 for every $1,000 in construction cost (subject to change)."; the older FAQ page says a base fee of "$80 (as of January 2023)" and "$8.00 for every $1,000", so confirm the current fee with the township. Once issued, "the project must commence within 6 months of that date." The Building Inspector is "available on Tuesday's 8 am until 5 pm and Thursday mornings from 8:00 am until 12:00 Noon" at the Richland Township Administration Building, 1180 N. Hemlock Rd., Hemlock, MI 48626; the Building Inspector's line is 989-737-5671 and the township office, open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, is (989) 642-2097.
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 Richland in Saginaw County as its own building code enforcer. Richland Township's Ordinance No. 2025-01, adopted June 10, 2025, adopts "the State Construction Code" and lists "Michigan Residential Code, 2021 edition." and "Michigan Building Code, 2021 edition."; the township's Building Department FAQ says "Construction in Richland Township, like every community in the State of Michigan, is subject to the 2015 Michigan Building Code, w/ State amendments, 2015 Michigan Residential Code". 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 2021 edition the ordinance names has not taken effect, because LARA says the 2015 provisions remain in effect while that order stands. The ordinance designates "The Township Building Official" as "the enforcing agency to discharge the responsibilities of Richland Township under the State Construction 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). Ordinance No. 2025-01 and the Building Department pages were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. Richland Township's Ordinance No. 2025-01 lists "Michigan Residential Code, 2021 edition." while its Building Department FAQ names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code; the 2021 edition has not taken effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands, so this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code (see adopted_code), and the 2021 edition text was not read. 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). Ordinance No. 2025-01 and the Building Department pages were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. Richland Township's Ordinance No. 2025-01 lists "Michigan Residential Code, 2021 edition." while its Building Department FAQ names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code; the 2021 edition has not taken effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands, so this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code (see adopted_code), and the 2021 edition text was not read. 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." Ordinance No. 2025-01 and the Building Department pages were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in them.
Repair permit threshold
Richland Township's own pages disagree about reroofs. Its Building Department FAQ page answers "Do I need a permit to roof my house" with "Yes.", and its zoning compliance certificate lists "Re-roof: Building Permit may be required." under Repair. A second version of the same FAQ, on the Building Department page, says "If you are merely removing and replacing shingles, you do not need a permit. If the work involves replacing any portion of the structure or replacing the support structures or wood underneath you most likely need a permit. Call 989-737-5671." The page with the "Yes." quotes a base permit fee of "$80 (as of January 2023)" and the page with the shingle statement quotes "$100 (as of April 1st 2023)", so the shingle statement is the later of the two; both were live when read on October 12, 2026. Neither names a size, square or dollar point. 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. Call the Building Inspector at 989-737-5671 before a reroof, and expect a permit if any decking or structure is replaced.
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 Building Department page lists one building ordinance, Ordinance No. 2025-01, which was read in full: it adopts the State Construction Code and the state codes by reference, designates the enforcing agency, sets fees by board resolution, constitutes a building code board of appeals and sets penalties, and it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The township's Zoning Ordinance (amended July 10, 2025) is a scanned file that was not read. The Building Department pages state no layer rule. Richland Township's Ordinance No. 2025-01 lists "Michigan Residential Code, 2021 edition." while its Building Department FAQ names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code; the 2021 edition has not taken effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands, so this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code (see adopted_code), and the 2021 edition text was not read.
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). Ordinance No. 2025-01 and the Building Department pages were read for a local rule and state nothing further on roof sheathing. Richland Township's Ordinance No. 2025-01 lists "Michigan Residential Code, 2021 edition." while its Building Department FAQ names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code; the 2021 edition has not taken effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands, so this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code (see adopted_code), and the 2021 edition text was not read.
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 Richland Township Building Department pages changes this.

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Richland Township's Building Department, at the township administration offices at 1180 N. Hemlock Road in Hemlock, issues building permits through its Building Inspector, and 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 Richland, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Richland, MI. Richland Township's own pages disagree about reroofs. Its Building Department FAQ page answers "Do I need a permit to roof my house" with "Yes.", and its zoning compliance certificate lists "Re-roof: Building Permit may be required." under Repair. A second version of the same FAQ, on the Building Department page, says "If you are merely removing and replacing shingles, you do not need a permit. If the work involves replacing any portion of the structure or replacing the support structures or wood underneath you most likely need a permit. Call 989-737-5671." The page with the "Yes." quotes a base permit fee of "$80 (as of January 2023)" and the page with the shingle statement quotes "$100 (as of April 1st 2023)", so the shingle statement is the later of the two; both were live when read on October 12, 2026. Neither names a size, square or dollar point. 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. Call the Building Inspector at 989-737-5671 before a reroof, and expect a permit if any decking or structure is replaced.

Is ice & water shield required in Township of Richland, 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). Ordinance No. 2025-01 and the Building Department pages were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. Richland Township's Ordinance No. 2025-01 lists "Michigan Residential Code, 2021 edition." while its Building Department FAQ names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code; the 2021 edition has not taken effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands, so this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code (see adopted_code), and the 2021 edition text was not read.

Is drip edge required in Township of Richland, 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). Ordinance No. 2025-01 and the Building Department pages were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. Richland Township's Ordinance No. 2025-01 lists "Michigan Residential Code, 2021 edition." while its Building Department FAQ names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code; the 2021 edition has not taken effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands, so this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code (see adopted_code), and the 2021 edition text was not read.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Richland, 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 Building Department page lists one building ordinance, Ordinance No. 2025-01, which was read in full: it adopts the State Construction Code and the state codes by reference, designates the enforcing agency, sets fees by board resolution, constitutes a building code board of appeals and sets penalties, and it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The township's Zoning Ordinance (amended July 10, 2025) is a scanned file that was not read. The Building Department pages state no layer rule. Richland Township's Ordinance No. 2025-01 lists "Michigan Residential Code, 2021 edition." while its Building Department FAQ names the 2015 Michigan Residential Code; the 2021 edition has not taken effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands, so this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code (see adopted_code), and the 2021 edition text was not read.

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

Yes.

What building code does Township of Richland, 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 Richland in Saginaw County as its own building code enforcer. Richland Township's Ordinance No. 2025-01, adopted June 10, 2025, adopts "the State Construction Code" and lists "Michigan Residential Code, 2021 edition." and "Michigan Building Code, 2021 edition."; the township's Building Department FAQ says "Construction in Richland Township, like every community in the State of Michigan, is subject to the 2015 Michigan Building Code, w/ State amendments, 2015 Michigan Residential Code". 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 2021 edition the ordinance names has not taken effect, because LARA says the 2015 provisions remain in effect while that order stands. The ordinance designates "The Township Building Official" as "the enforcing agency to discharge the responsibilities of Richland Township under the State Construction Code."