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

Roofing questions: Township of Seneca, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Seneca, MI. Seneca Township's building permit fee schedule has its own line for roof work, "Replacement Roofing/Siding/Windows", at 2 inspections and "$140" with the inspections "Ice guard,final / housewrap,final", and the township says it "issues Building and Electrical" permits, so the township prices a roof replacement as permit work. 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 Seneca, 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). Seneca Township's fee schedule lists "Ice guard,final" as the first inspection for "Replacement Roofing/Siding/Windows", which is consistent with the state rule above; the schedule states nothing further on ice barrier; the township's zoning, dangerous structure and nuisance ordinance document was not read.

Is drip edge required in Township of Seneca, 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). Seneca Township's permits and forms page and building permit fee schedule were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge; the township's zoning, dangerous structure and nuisance ordinance document was not read.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Seneca, 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, Seneca Township's fee schedule lists "Replacement Roofing/Siding/Windows" as permit work with two inspections, "Ice guard,final / housewrap,final", and states no layer rule. The township's ordinance page links a combined zoning, dangerous structure and nuisance ordinance document that was not read, so this record states only the state rule. Seneca Township has published no statement naming the edition it enforces.

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

Yes.

What building code does Township of Seneca, 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 Seneca Township as its own building code enforcer. Seneca Township has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; its permits and forms page and building permit fee schedule, read 2026-10-15, name none, and its zoning, dangerous structure and nuisance ordinance document was not read.