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

Roofing questions: Township of Sturgis, MI

When does a roof repair need a permit in Township of Sturgis, MI?

Section 4.03 of the Sturgis Township Zoning Ordinance (adopted April 2, 2009, current through Ordinance No. 2016-1) says "No structure shall hereafter be erected, enlarged, altered or reconstructed until a Building Permit has been obtained" and then "A building permit will not be required under the following conditions:" first, "The proposed work does not include any structural elements", and second, "The work is confined to repairs and restoration of existing buildings and structures, such as replacing existing roofing, replacement of existing siding, windows, doors, installing insulation and other like activity providing this work does not include the repair or restoration of existing structural elements of the building or structure and providing this work does not include changes and or modifications of electrical, plumbing, heating or air conditioning elements of the building." Section 4.03(B) adds "If the work contemplated is not covered by this section, the Sturgis Township Building Inspector shall rule on the need for a building permit." The same ordinance defines "Alterations" to include "any change in the roof or supporting members of the building or structure" and "Structural Changes or Alterations" as "Any change in the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls, columns, beams or girders, or any substantial change in the roof." It does not say what makes a change in the roof substantial, so whether an ordinary tear-off and reroof is exempt depends on how the township applies those words; this record does not decide it. 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. Ask the township building inspector (269-816-4951) before starting a roof job.

Is ice & water shield required in Township of Sturgis, 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 township's Zoning Ordinance and building permit application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Township of Sturgis, 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 township's Zoning Ordinance and building permit application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Sturgis, 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 ordinance list (its Resources-Links page) was read. The township's building code instrument, the ordinance designating its enforcing agency under the state construction code act and adopting floodplain provisions (Ordinance IX, printed in the Zoning Ordinance), was read in full and touches nothing in the reroofing section. The Zoning Ordinance, current through Ordinance No. 2016-1, and the later text amendments Ordinance 2022-1 (fences) and Ordinance 2026-1 (retreat centers) were searched for roofing text and have no reroofing rule; the zoning ordinance's only shingle rule is a manufactured-dwelling standard. The township's permit pages and building permit application state no layer rule.

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

Yes.

What building code does Township of Sturgis, 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 Sturgis as its own building code enforcer. The township's Zoning Ordinance (adopted April 2, 2009, current through Ordinance No. 2016-1) carries its floodplain ordinance, which designates an inspection firm as the township's enforcing agency under the state construction code act and refers to the Michigan Residential Code without naming an edition; the township's 2024 building permit application names no code edition.