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Permitting Authorities / City of Swartz Creek - Building and Zoning Department

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

Adopted code

City of Swartz Creek - Building and Zoning Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Swartz Creek, MI, issued by City of Swartz Creek - Building and Zoning Department. The City of Swartz Creek has published nothing that applies a permit rule to roof work, so the general permit rule supplies the requirement and the department's own pages are quoted. The Building and Zoning page lists "Issuance and inspection of permits such as construction, sidewalks, driveways, fences, and signs" among the department's responsibilities and says "Please click on this link to apply for permits, make payments, and schedule inspections". The Building Department Reference Sheet in the city's Building Permit Application says "Permits are good for one (1) year; however, if there are six (6) months without any activity it will expire in our system." and asks for a plot plan showing "the placement of proposed project on property & setbacks". The city's Zoning Ordinance, Section 25.06, says "Fees are set by city council and contained in the city's fee schedule that is updated periodically by resolution of city council", and no fee schedule is posted on the pages read, so ask the department for the current fee. The office line is 810-635-4464, and City Hall is at 8083 Civic Drive, Swartz Creek.

Roof code checklist: Swartz Creek, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYescityofswartzcreekmi.gov2026-10-12
Repair permit thresholdPublishedcityofswartzcreekmi.gov2026-10-12
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 codePublishedSec. 4-21ars.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
City of Swartz Creek, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
8083 Civic Drive, Swartz Creek, MI 48473
Contact
  • url: https://cityofswartzcreekmi.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75&catid=2&Itemid=691
  • phone: 810-635-4464
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: The city's Building Department Reference Sheet, under its trade permits (electrical, mechanical and plumbing), says "Copies of contractor's driver's license & state issued license must be submitted for every new contractor or expired registration" and "We do not charge a contractor registration fee", and the Building Permit Application asks the contractor for a builders license number and expiration date, a federal employer ID number or the reason for exemption, a workers compensation carrier or the reason for exemption and an MESC employer number or the reason for exemption. The pages read for this record do not state a separate city registration standard for roofing contractors. This record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside a state exemption.
Permit process note
The City of Swartz Creek has published nothing that applies a permit rule to roof work, so the general permit rule supplies the requirement and the department's own pages are quoted. The Building and Zoning page lists "Issuance and inspection of permits such as construction, sidewalks, driveways, fences, and signs" among the department's responsibilities and says "Please click on this link to apply for permits, make payments, and schedule inspections". The Building Department Reference Sheet in the city's Building Permit Application says "Permits are good for one (1) year; however, if there are six (6) months without any activity it will expire in our system." and asks for a plot plan showing "the placement of proposed project on property & setbacks". The city's Zoning Ordinance, Section 25.06, says "Fees are set by city council and contained in the city's fee schedule that is updated periodically by resolution of city council", and no fee schedule is posted on the pages read, so ask the department for the current fee. The office line is 810-635-4464, and City Hall is at 8083 Civic Drive, Swartz Creek.
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 Swartz Creek as its own building code enforcer. The city's Building Permit Application, a form posted on the city's website, says on its sample plot plan page "Change dimensions to reflect your project and show compliance with the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code."; this directory has not read that text, and whether that reference has any effect today is not decided here. 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. Swartz Creek has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; its codified Section 4-21, read October 12, 2026, says "the code enforcement official of the city is hereby designated as the enforcing agent to discharge the responsibilities of the city under such act" and refers to the "Michigan Building Code" without naming an edition.
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). Chapter 4 of the City of Swartz Creek Code of Ordinances, the Building and Zoning page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. The city's Building Permit Application, a form posted on the city's website, says on its sample plot plan page "show compliance with the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code."; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Swartz Creek has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code text was not read (see adopted_code). 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). Chapter 4 of the City of Swartz Creek Code of Ordinances, the Building and Zoning page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. The city's Building Permit Application, a form posted on the city's website, says on its sample plot plan page "show compliance with the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code."; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Swartz Creek has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code text was not read (see adopted_code). 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." Chapter 4 of the City of Swartz Creek Code of Ordinances, the Building and Zoning page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
No size or cost threshold is published for roof work. The city's Code of Ordinances, Section 4-22, says "No building, structure or part thereof shall be erected, converted, repaired, altered, or enlarged until a building permit has been obtained by the owner or his agent", and Section 25.03(D) of its Zoning Ordinance says "No building or structure, or part thereof, shall be hereafter erected, altered, moved or repaired unless a building permit shall have been first issued for such work.", adding that "altered" and "repaired" include changes in structural parts and other changes regulated by the City Building Code, "except for minor repairs or changes not involving any of the aforesaid features". Neither section names roofing, and the Building and Zoning page and the Building Department Reference Sheet in the city's application name no roofing rule; the sheet says "Building Permits (Permit Fee based on Construction Value)". 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 and Zoning Department (810-635-4464) before starting a roof job.
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, Chapter 4 of the City of Swartz Creek Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, Sections 4-1 to 4-68, as posted on Municode) and Section 25.03 of its Zoning Ordinance were read in full: they designate the code enforcement official as the enforcing agent, require a building permit, adopt the International Property Maintenance Code, 2012 edition, with amendments, set rental property inspections and severe weather shelter standards; they contain no reroofing provision and amend nothing in Section R908. The Building and Zoning page and the Building Permit Application state no layer rule. The city's Building Permit Application, a form posted on the city's website, says on its sample plot plan page "show compliance with the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code."; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Swartz Creek has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code text was not read (see adopted_code).
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). Chapter 4 of the City of Swartz Creek Code of Ordinances, the Building and Zoning page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on roof sheathing. The city's Building Permit Application, a form posted on the city's website, says on its sample plot plan page "show compliance with the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code."; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Swartz Creek has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code text was not read (see adopted_code).
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 City of Swartz Creek Building and Zoning page or in its Building Permit Application changes this.

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The City of Swartz Creek's Building and Zoning Department, at City Hall, 8083 Civic Drive in Swartz Creek, issues the city's building permits, inspects the work and takes permit applications online. The State of Michigan's Statewide Jurisdiction List names the City of Swartz Creek as its own building code enforcer. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

Working an insurance claim in Swartz Creek, MI? Everything on this page (drip edge, ice & water shield, inspections, Class 4 rules) formatted as a claim-ready evidence pack: verbatim ordinance quotes, code section cites, verification dates, and official source links, ready to attach to a supplement. See a real sample pack (PDF, 4 pages, free).

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Sources

Roofing questions: Swartz Creek, MI

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

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Swartz Creek, MI. No size or cost threshold is published for roof work. The city's Code of Ordinances, Section 4-22, says "No building, structure or part thereof shall be erected, converted, repaired, altered, or enlarged until a building permit has been obtained by the owner or his agent", and Section 25.03(D) of its Zoning Ordinance says "No building or structure, or part thereof, shall be hereafter erected, altered, moved or repaired unless a building permit shall have been first issued for such work.", adding that "altered" and "repaired" include changes in structural parts and other changes regulated by the City Building Code, "except for minor repairs or changes not involving any of the aforesaid features". Neither section names roofing, and the Building and Zoning page and the Building Department Reference Sheet in the city's application name no roofing rule; the sheet says "Building Permits (Permit Fee based on Construction Value)". 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 and Zoning Department (810-635-4464) before starting a roof job.

Is ice & water shield required in Swartz Creek, 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). Chapter 4 of the City of Swartz Creek Code of Ordinances, the Building and Zoning page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. The city's Building Permit Application, a form posted on the city's website, says on its sample plot plan page "show compliance with the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code."; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Swartz Creek has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code text was not read (see adopted_code).

Is drip edge required in Swartz Creek, 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). Chapter 4 of the City of Swartz Creek Code of Ordinances, the Building and Zoning page and the Building Permit Application were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. The city's Building Permit Application, a form posted on the city's website, says on its sample plot plan page "show compliance with the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code."; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Swartz Creek has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code text was not read (see adopted_code).

Can you roof over an existing roof in Swartz Creek, 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, Chapter 4 of the City of Swartz Creek Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, Sections 4-1 to 4-68, as posted on Municode) and Section 25.03 of its Zoning Ordinance were read in full: they designate the code enforcement official as the enforcing agent, require a building permit, adopt the International Property Maintenance Code, 2012 edition, with amendments, set rental property inspections and severe weather shelter standards; they contain no reroofing provision and amend nothing in Section R908. The Building and Zoning page and the Building Permit Application state no layer rule. The city's Building Permit Application, a form posted on the city's website, says on its sample plot plan page "show compliance with the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code."; this field states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state act applies throughout the state; Swartz Creek has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code text was not read (see adopted_code).

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

Yes.

What building code does Swartz Creek, 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 Swartz Creek as its own building code enforcer. The city's Building Permit Application, a form posted on the city's website, says on its sample plot plan page "Change dimensions to reflect your project and show compliance with the 2003 Michigan Residential Building Code."; this directory has not read that text, and whether that reference has any effect today is not decided here. 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. Swartz Creek has published no statement naming the edition it enforces; its codified Section 4-21, read October 12, 2026, says "the code enforcement official of the city is hereby designated as the enforcing agent to discharge the responsibilities of the city under such act" and refers to the "Michigan Building Code" without naming an edition.