The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Sterling Heights - Office of Building

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

Adopted code

City of Sterling Heights - Office of Building

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Sterling Heights, MI, issued by City of Sterling Heights - Office of Building. A re-roof in Sterling Heights needs a building permit: the Office of Building says "Yes, a permit is required to re-roof your house whether it is a complete tear off and re-roof or just adding a second layer of roofing to an existing roof." The same answer adds "It is important to note that only 2 layers of roofing may be applied" and "If the project is a complete tear off ice and snow shield must be applied to the roof decking." The city says "All permits are available online through our online portal or can also be mailed to the Office of Building." A contractor must be licensed and registered with the city and needs a portal account and pin number; a homeowner can apply through the homeowner permit link. The building permit application charges a non-refundable application fee of $56.00 and lists "Roof or Re-roof" at $78.00; the city's FAQ says "Inspection fees are included as part of the permit fee." Inspections are scheduled online. The Office of Building is at 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313, 586-446-2360, [email protected].

Roof code checklist: Sterling Heights, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYessterlingheights.gov2026-10-02
Repair permit thresholdPublishedsterlingheights.gov2026-10-02
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-02
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-02
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-02
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-02
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-02
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-02
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-02
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-02

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
City of Sterling Heights, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Contact
  • url: https://www.sterlingheights.gov/150/Building
  • phone: 586-446-2360
  • email: [email protected]
Permit portal
Permit portal
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.
  • city_level: Sterling Heights registers contractors before they pull permits: its online permits page says "If you are a licensed and registered contractor, you must have an account and pin number to submit a permit", and its contractor registration application says "A COPY OF YOUR STATE LICENSE(S) AND A DRIVER'S LICENSE MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THIS APPLICATION." The registration rests on the state licence.
Permit process note
A re-roof in Sterling Heights needs a building permit: the Office of Building says "Yes, a permit is required to re-roof your house whether it is a complete tear off and re-roof or just adding a second layer of roofing to an existing roof." The same answer adds "It is important to note that only 2 layers of roofing may be applied" and "If the project is a complete tear off ice and snow shield must be applied to the roof decking." The city says "All permits are available online through our online portal or can also be mailed to the Office of Building." A contractor must be licensed and registered with the city and needs a portal account and pin number; a homeowner can apply through the homeowner permit link. The building permit application charges a non-refundable application fee of $56.00 and lists "Roof or Re-roof" at $78.00; the city's FAQ says "Inspection fees are included as part of the permit fee." Inspections are scheduled online. The Office of Building is at 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313, 586-446-2360, [email protected].
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 City of Sterling Heights as its own building code enforcer; the city's Office of Building "enforces all codes, laws and ordinances relating to building, electric, plumbing and mechanical installations."
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 Sterling Heights Office of Building FAQ states 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). Locally, the Sterling Heights Office of Building says "If the project is a complete tear off ice and snow shield must be applied to the roof decking." 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 Sterling Heights Office of Building FAQ and permit application state no impact rule.
Repair permit threshold
Sterling Heights answers the question in its Office of Building FAQ: "Yes, a permit is required to re-roof your house whether it is a complete tear off and re-roof or just adding a second layer of roofing to an existing roof." The city's building permit application lists ROOFING as a type of work and a "Roof or Re-roof" fee. None of the city's pages read for this record states a size, square or dollar point below which a roof repair needs no 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. For a small repair, ask the Office of Building (586-446-2360) before starting.
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 Sterling Heights Office of Building says the same thing in its own words: "It is important to note that only 2 layers of roofing may be applied." The city's building ordinance was not read for this record.
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 Sterling Heights Office of Building FAQ states nothing further on roof decks or 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." The same 6% applies in Sterling Heights.

More roof permit pages in Michigan

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The City of Sterling Heights' Office of Building, at 40555 Utica Road, issues building permits in Sterling Heights, and it says a permit is required to re-roof a house, whether the job is a full tear-off or a second layer. Permits are submitted through the city's online portal or by mail, and the building permit application prices a roof or re-roof permit. Michigan applies one residential code statewide, so the roofing rules below are state law; the city enforces them and sets its own permit fees.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Sterling Heights, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Sterling Heights, MI. Sterling Heights answers the question in its Office of Building FAQ: "Yes, a permit is required to re-roof your house whether it is a complete tear off and re-roof or just adding a second layer of roofing to an existing roof." The city's building permit application lists ROOFING as a type of work and a "Roof or Re-roof" fee. None of the city's pages read for this record states a size, square or dollar point below which a roof repair needs no 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. For a small repair, ask the Office of Building (586-446-2360) before starting.

Is ice & water shield required in Sterling Heights, 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). Locally, the Sterling Heights Office of Building says "If the project is a complete tear off ice and snow shield must be applied to the roof decking."

Is drip edge required in Sterling Heights, 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 Sterling Heights Office of Building FAQ states nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Sterling Heights, 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 Sterling Heights Office of Building says the same thing in its own words: "It is important to note that only 2 layers of roofing may be applied." The city's building ordinance was not read for this record.

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

Yes.

What building code does Sterling Heights, 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 City of Sterling Heights as its own building code enforcer; the city's Office of Building "enforces all codes, laws and ordinances relating to building, electric, plumbing and mechanical installations."