Permitting Authorities / City of Tampa - Construction Services Division
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Tampa, FL?
Adopted codeCity of Tampa - Construction Services Division
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Tampa, FL, issued by City of Tampa - Construction Services Division. A roof replacement larger than 500 square feet needs a permit in the City of Tampa. City Code section 5-105.2 exempts only "The installation of new roof covering, or the recovering, re-roofing or repairing of an existing roof covering, either of which is five hundred (500) square feet or less." Roof covering replacement is its own residential permit type, applied for online through Accela, and the City's Trade Permit Fee Schedule lists a "Roofing" permit at $177.00 for one- and two-family dwellings ($220.00 commercial), plus the Florida Building Permit Surcharge (2.5% of the permit value, $4.00 minimum). Section 5-107.3.5 lists "Re-roofs" among work for which plan examination is not required. Inspections are virtual only: a "BLD-Roof Dry In" inspection, "Required for all tile roofs and homeowner permits," and a roof final; for non-tile roofs a contractor may upload a roof mitigation/attestation in lieu of the dry-in. Except on owner-builder permits, the City's Roof Mitigation Verification Statement "must be provided for all residential and commercial roof replacement permits" and "must be uploaded to the Accela permit prior to scheduling any Roof inspection." Small jobs: since July 1, 2026, section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes, requires the City to exempt single-family work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner's written request with a copy of the contract, except on property partly or entirely in a flood hazard area and except structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas work. Work begun before a required permit is issued is charged a fee in addition to the permit fee (City Code section 5-109.4). The City's Post-Hurricane Permitting Guide waives permits for roof work of 500 square feet or less, and fees for storm-related roof permits over 500 square feet, only after a declared disaster and "ONLY AFTER the Mayor of the City of Tampa has exercised their Emergency Management Powers"; it states that its posting "is not intended to imply building permits and fees are currently waived.".
Roof code checklist: Tampa, FL
| Item | Answer | Code cite | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit to replace a roof | Yes | library.municode.com | 2026-09-26 | |
| Repair permit threshold | Published | library.municode.com | 2026-09-26 | |
| Layer limit / roof-over | Published | R908.3 | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-09-26 |
| Deck & sheathing | Published | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-09-26 | |
| Drip edge | Yes | R905.2.8.5 | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-09-26 |
| Ice & water shield | No | R905.1.2 | codes.iccsafe.org | 2026-09-26 |
| Mid-roof inspection | Yes | Sec. 5-110.3 | tampa.gov | 2026-09-26 |
| Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofing | No | library.municode.com | 2026-09-26 | |
| Wind design criteria | Not published | |||
| Adopted code | Published | Sec. 5-121.243 | adopted-codes-1_ada_0.pdf | 2026-09-26 |
| Contractor license / registration | Yes | leg.state.fl.us | 2026-09-26 | |
| Sales & use tax | Published | dr15dss_26.pdf | 2026-09-26 |
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 Tampa, Florida
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
2555 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610
Contact
- url: https://www.tampa.gov/construction-services
- phone: 813-274-3100
- email: [email protected]
Permit portal
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
- state_level: Roofing contractor is a separately licensed trade in Florida. Section 489.105(3)(e), Florida Statutes, defines a "Roofing contractor" as a contractor "whose services are unlimited in the roofing trade." Section 489.113(2) provides that "A person must be certified or registered in order to engage in the business of contracting in this state." A state-certified contractor may work statewide; under section 489.117(1)(b), "Registration allows the registrant to engage in contracting only in the counties, municipalities, or development districts where he or she has complied with all local licensing requirements, if any." Section 489.103(7) contains an owner-builder exemption for owners "acting as their own contractor and providing direct, onsite supervision themselves of all work not performed by licensed contractors," including one-family or two-family residences for the owner's own use and not offered for sale or lease; this record does not decide whether a particular reader falls within it.
- city_level: Contractors register their license with the City of Tampa before pulling permits in Accela. The City's Guide to Contractor License Registration and Insurance Updates (updated August 25, 2026) asks State Certified and State Registered contractors for a copy of the Florida state license and a certificate of workers' compensation insurance or proof of exemption, with "no associated fees," states that "The City of Tampa only requires the submission of Workers' Compensation Insurance or proof of exemption status (no liability certificates are needed)," and states that "Licensing requirements are managed exclusively at the state level by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), rather than by local City of Tampa offices." City Code section 5-119 ties certificates of competency and unlicensed-contractor enforcement to the Hillsborough County Building and Construction Code under an inter-local agreement. The City's FAQ states that "All contractors must be licensed by either the local jurisdiction or by the State of Florida if the category is regulated by either the state or local jurisdiction." City Code section 5-105.18 lets a property owner "assume the role of an owner-builder, in accordance with F.S. §§ 489.103(7)(a) and 489.503(6)(a)," and the City's Owner-Builder Acknowledgement Form must be signed and submitted with the application.
Permit process note
A roof replacement larger than 500 square feet needs a permit in the City of Tampa. City Code section 5-105.2 exempts only "The installation of new roof covering, or the recovering, re-roofing or repairing of an existing roof covering, either of which is five hundred (500) square feet or less." Roof covering replacement is its own residential permit type, applied for online through Accela, and the City's Trade Permit Fee Schedule lists a "Roofing" permit at $177.00 for one- and two-family dwellings ($220.00 commercial), plus the Florida Building Permit Surcharge (2.5% of the permit value, $4.00 minimum). Section 5-107.3.5 lists "Re-roofs" among work for which plan examination is not required. Inspections are virtual only: a "BLD-Roof Dry In" inspection, "Required for all tile roofs and homeowner permits," and a roof final; for non-tile roofs a contractor may upload a roof mitigation/attestation in lieu of the dry-in. Except on owner-builder permits, the City's Roof Mitigation Verification Statement "must be provided for all residential and commercial roof replacement permits" and "must be uploaded to the Accela permit prior to scheduling any Roof inspection." Small jobs: since July 1, 2026, section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes, requires the City to exempt single-family work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner's written request with a copy of the contract, except on property partly or entirely in a flood hazard area and except structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas work. Work begun before a required permit is issued is charged a fee in addition to the permit fee (City Code section 5-109.4). The City's Post-Hurricane Permitting Guide waives permits for roof work of 500 square feet or less, and fees for storm-related roof permits over 500 square feet, only after a declared disaster and "ONLY AFTER the Mayor of the City of Tampa has exercised their Emergency Management Powers"; it states that its posting "is not intended to imply building permits and fees are currently waived."
Inspection requirements
Roof covering replacement inspections in Tampa are virtual only, through the Vu-Spex app: a "BLD-Roof Dry In" inspection, required for all tile roofs and homeowner permits, and a roof final ("ROF-Final"). For non-tile roofs a contractor may upload a roof mitigation/attestation in lieu of the dry-in. The City's Roof Mitigation Verification Statement, signed by a licensed roofing contractor, general, residential or building contractor, F.S. 468 building inspector, or Florida-licensed architect or engineer, certifies that roof deck attachment and fasteners were "strengthened and corrected as required," a secondary water barrier was "provided as required (based on F.S. 553.844)," and roof-to-wall connections were retrofitted "when required"; it must be uploaded before any roof inspection is scheduled. The City notes that "Additional inspections may be required, depending on the project scope of work."
Adopted code
Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), Residential volume (2021 International Residential Code base), effective December 31, 2023, adopted statewide by the Florida Building Commission under Rule 61G20-1.001, Florida Administrative Code. The City's Adopted Codes list (updated January 18, 2024) names the "2023 Florida Building Code (8th Edition)" Building, Residential, Existing Building and the other volumes. City of Tampa Code Chapter 5 (Ord. No. 2024-15, adopted February 1, 2024, codified through Ord. No. 2025-152) provides that "The Florida Building Code, as adopted and amended from time to time by rule of the Florida Building Commission pursuant to F.S. Ch. 553, is adopted and incorporated by reference." The City's own technical amendments to the Florida Building Code (section 5-121.243 through 5-121.246) are flood provisions only and do not touch the roofing chapters.
Drip edge
Required — Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R905.2.8.5 Drip edge: "Provide drip edge at eaves and gables of shingle roofs. Overlap to be a minimum of 3 inches (76 mm). Eave drip edges shall extend 1/2 inch (13 mm) below sheathing and extend back on the roof a minimum of 2 inches (51 mm). Drip edge shall be installed over the underlayment." It "shall be mechanically fastened a maximum of 12 inches (305 mm) on center," tightening to 4 inches on center where the Vasd is 110 mph or greater or the mean roof height exceeds 33 feet. The requirement is written for shingle roofs. City of Tampa Code Chapter 5, read in full, does not amend it; the City's technical amendments are flood provisions only. About drip edge
Ice & water shield
Not required — Not required. The Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023) reads "R905.1.2 Ice barriers. Reserved." and, for asphalt shingles, "R905.2.7 Ice barrier. Reserved." City of Tampa Code Chapter 5, read in full, adds no ice barrier; its technical amendments are flood provisions only. A self-adhering ASTM D1970 underlayment remains an allowed underlayment and secondary water barrier method; it is not prohibited. About ice & water barrier
Mid-roof inspection
Required — City of Tampa Code section 5-110.3 lists a "Roofing inspection" that "shall at a minimum include the following building components: Dry-in, Insulation, Roof coverings, Flashings." The City's Roof Covering Replacement inspections page (updated September 21, 2026) lists inspections that "Shall be virtual only (OFR's Vu-Spex) for both contractors and homeowners": "BLD-Roof Dry In - Required for all tile roofs and homeowner permits (Contractors can submit a roof mitigation/attestation to be uploaded to the record in lieu of the dry-in for non-tile roofs)" and a roof final. On a contractor's shingle or other non-tile re-roof, the City's stated practice is that the uploaded Roof Mitigation Verification Statement may stand in place of the dry-in inspection; tile roofs and owner-builder permits get the dry-in. Section 5-110.3 item 5.1 also lets the building official accept "An affidavit with a notarized signature of a state or locally licensed roofing contractor for the installation of additional sheathing fasteners as required by the Existing Building Code."
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither the Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023) roofing chapter nor City of Tampa Code Chapter 5 (read in full) requires impact-rated roof coverings; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the code as it applies in Tampa or in the City's amendments. The City code's "impact-resistant coverings" provisions concern protection of openings such as windows and doors, not roof coverings.
Repair permit threshold
City of Tampa Code section 5-105.2 (Work exempt from permit), Building item 17: "The installation of new roof covering, or the recovering, re-roofing or repairing of an existing roof covering, either of which is five hundred (500) square feet or less." Roof work over 500 square feet needs a permit. The same section states that exemptions "shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code," do not relieve the owner or contractor of the Florida Building Code, and that "Permits are not required if exempted by federal or State of Florida law." The state exemption, section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes (effective July 1, 2026): "A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner's contractor from the requirement to obtain a building permit to perform any work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner's property." It does not apply to "Work on a property that is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area as defined by the Florida Building Code" or to "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work"; the owner or contractor "must submit a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency with a copy of the contract or other documentation demonstrating the nature and the value of the work to be performed"; and "A construction project may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph." This record does not decide whether a particular job qualifies. The Florida Building Code's 25 percent rule also applies to roof repairs (see the deck and sheathing field).
Roof layer limit / recover
Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.3 Recovering versus replacement: "New roof coverings shall not be installed without first removing all existing layers of roof coverings where any of the following conditions occur: 1. Where the existing roof or roof covering is water soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing. 2. Where the existing roof covering is wood shingle or shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile. 3. Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." Tear-off is also required where blisters are not cut open and secured, or where the existing covering is to be used for attachment and the securement provisions cannot be met. A single re-cover over one existing layer is therefore the most the code allows. City of Tampa Code Chapter 5, read in full, states no layer limit of its own and does not amend section R908.3.
Deck & sheathing requirements
Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), section R908.7 Wind mitigation: "When a roof covering on an existing structure with a sawn lumber, wood plank or wood structural panel roof deck is removed and replaced, the following procedures shall be permitted to be performed by the roofing contractor: (a) Roof-decking attachment shall be as required by Section R908.7.1. (b) A secondary water barrier shall be provided as required by Section R908.7.2. Exception: Structures permitted subject to the Florida Building Code are not required to comply with this section." Under section R908.7.1.1, plank decking "secured with at least two nails (minimum size 8d) to each roof framing member it crosses shall be deemed to be sufficiently connected"; wood structural panel decks take supplemental fasteners under Table R908.7.1.2. Section R908.1.1 (the 25 percent rule): "Not more than 25 percent of the total roof area or roof section of any existing building or structure shall be repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12-month period unless the roof covering on the entire existing roof system or roof section is replaced or recovered to conform to the requirements of this code," with an exception for roofs built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, where "only the repaired, replaced, or recovered portion is required to be constructed in accordance with the Florida Building Code in effect." In Tampa, the contractor's Roof Mitigation Verification Statement certifies "Roof deck attachment and fasteners strengthened and corrected as required" and "Secondary water barrier provided as required (based on F.S. 553.844)," and City Code section 5-110.3 item 5.1 lets the building official accept a roofing contractor's notarized affidavit for "the installation of additional sheathing fasteners as required by the Existing Building Code." City of Tampa Code Chapter 5 does not amend these code sections.
Sales & use tax
7.5% combined: 6% Florida state sales and use tax plus Hillsborough County's 1.5% discretionary sales surtax. The Department of Revenue's Form DR-15DSS for calendar year 2026 lists the Hillsborough surtax in three 0.5% parts: effective December 1, 1996, expiring December 31, 2041; effective October 1, 2001, with no expiration; and effective January 1, 2019, expiring December 31, 2028. Under Rule 12A-1.051, Florida Administrative Code, "Roofing work" is a real property contract, and "Contractors are the ultimate consumers of materials and supplies they use to perform real property contracts and must pay tax on their costs of those materials and supplies, unless the contractor has entered a retail sale plus installation contract"; such contractors "should charge no tax to their customers, regardless of whether they itemize charges for materials and labor in their proposals or invoices." The rate is the roofer's cost on materials, repair and replacement alike, not a tax charged to the homeowner.
Local roofing hub
More roof permit pages in Florida
Unincorporated Alachua County, FLRoof permit
Unincorporated Bay County, FLRoof permit
Unincorporated Brevard County, FLRoof permit
Unincorporated Charlotte County, FLRoof permit
Unincorporated Citrus County, FLRoof permit
Roofing in FloridaState hub
Related guides
The permitting authority for the City of Tampa. The Construction Services Division, part of the City's Development and Growth Management department, reviews plans, issues residential and commercial building and trade permits, including roof covering replacement permits, through the City's Accela online permitting system, and performs inspections.
Hail reports near Tampa, FL
- Reports, last 24 months
- 2
- Largest, last 24 months
- 1.50 in Jun 2, 2025
- Most recent
- Jun 2, 2025 1.50 in
- Reports, last 5 years
- 2
| Date | Hail size | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2, 2025 | 1.50 in | 8 mi ENE |
| Jun 2, 2025 | 1.00 in | 7 mi E |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database and daily storm reports (reports since the start of the current year are preliminary), within 10 miles of Tampa, FL (Census point). Data through Sep 30, 2026. A report is an observation, not a damage record.
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Sources
- tampa.gov verified 2026-09-26
- tampa.gov verified 2026-09-26
- library.municode.com verified 2026-09-26
- leg.state.fl.us verified 2026-09-26
- tampa.gov verified 2026-09-26
- tampa.gov verified 2026-09-26
- tampa.gov verified 2026-09-26
- codes.iccsafe.org verified 2026-09-26
- floridarevenue.com verified 2026-09-26