Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Rochester, MI?

Roofing questions: Rochester, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Rochester, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Rochester, MI. Rochester's own line: a permit is needed for "Roof Replacement (unless under 25% see below)", and none is needed "When less than 25% of a roof is being replaced"; the Building Department page words it as "Re-roof (if more than 25% replacement)". The same page lists "Any repairs with an estimated cost of more than $600.00" as permit work, so a roof repair under 25% that costs more than $600 may still need a permit; ask the department. 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. Questions go to (248) 733-3700, Option 4.

Is ice & water shield required in Rochester, 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 City of Rochester's permit pages, building permit application, Master Fee Schedule and Chapter 10 of its code were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Rochester, 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 City of Rochester's permit pages, building permit application, Master Fee Schedule and Chapter 10 of its code were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Rochester, 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 City's own building ordinance, Chapter 10 of the Rochester Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, which designates the enforcing agency, adopts the state construction code and the 2021 property maintenance code, and covers demolition, pools, moving buildings and alarms), was read in full: it has no roofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908, and the City's permit pages and fee schedule state no layer rule.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Rochester, MI?

Yes.

What building code does Rochester, 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." Locally, the City's Codes in Effect sheet lists "2015 Michigan Residential Code - Effective April 20, 2017" for residential work, and Section 10-33 of the Rochester Code of Ordinances adopts the state construction code "as all of the codes may be amended from time to time by the state"; neither names a different residential edition.