The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Tavares - Community Development Department, Building Division

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Tavares, FL?

Adopted code

City of Tavares - Community Development Department, Building Division

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Tavares, FL, issued by City of Tavares - Community Development Department, Building Division. Re-roofing in Tavares is permit work. The City's Required Permits List includes "RE-ROOFING," and the City publishes a separate "Roofing Permit - PACKET." The Community Development Department states: "To apply for a building permit (or update contractor/subcontractor registration information), please submit your application and plans through email" and "Permits will be issued via email." The roofing packet contains the Building Permit Application, a Construction Waste Disposal Statement, a Reroofing Scope of Work (replacement by tear-off, or re-cover with a new roof over the existing roof, with the Florida Product Approval numbers for each product) and a Reroofing Inspection Affidavit. The scope sheet states: "If damaged decking replacement is required, an inspection is required." The application warns that "A NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT MUST BE RECORDED AND POSTED ON THE JOB SITE BEFORE THE FIRST INSPECTION." State law makes it "unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit" (section 553.79(1)(a), Florida Statutes). Under the City's administrative amendments to the Florida Building Code (Land Development Regulations section 22-3, section 109.4), anyone who starts work before obtaining the necessary permits "shall be subject to a fee established by the building official that shall be in addition to the required permit fees or as provided by local ordinance.".

Roof code checklist: Tavares, FL

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYestavaresfl.gov2026-10-16
Repair permit thresholdPublishedlibrary.municode.com2026-10-16
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Deck & sheathingPublishedcodes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Ice & water shieldNoR905.1.2codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-16
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNolibrary.municode.com2026-10-16
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 553.73(6)library.municode.com2026-10-16
Contractor license / registrationYesleg.state.fl.us2026-10-16
Sales & use taxPublisheddr15dss_26.pdf2026-10-16

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 Tavares, Florida
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
201 E. Main Street, Tavares, FL 32778
Contact
  • url: https://www.tavaresfl.gov/478/Community-Development
  • phone: 352-742-6213
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," with a scope that includes "required roof-deck attachments; any repair or replacement of wood roof sheathing or fascia as needed during roof repair or replacement." 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, and only for the type of work covered by the registration." Section 489.103(7) contains an owner-builder exemption for "Owners of property when acting as their own contractor and providing direct, onsite supervision themselves of all work not performed by licensed contractors," including one- and two-family residences for the owner's own occupancy or use and not offered for sale or lease; this record does not decide whether a particular reader falls within it.
  • city_level: The City's Contractor Registration Application asks for the company name, the qualifier's name "as it appears on state license" and the qualifier's signature, with copies of the "STATE LICENSE," a "BUSINESS TAX RECIEPT," "WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE OR STATE EXEMPTION" and "GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE." The Building Permit Application asks for the license holder's "State Cert/Reg #" and the roofing subcontractor's license number. The City's Reroofing Inspection Affidavit notes that "No general, building, or residential contractor certified after 1973 shall act as, hold himself or herself out to be, or advertise himself or herself to be a roofing contractor unless he or she is certified as a roofing contractor." The City also publishes an Owner-Builder Affidavit for owners acting as their own contractor. A business tax receipt is a general business tax, not a trade credential.
Permit process note
Re-roofing in Tavares is permit work. The City's Required Permits List includes "RE-ROOFING," and the City publishes a separate "Roofing Permit - PACKET." The Community Development Department states: "To apply for a building permit (or update contractor/subcontractor registration information), please submit your application and plans through email" and "Permits will be issued via email." The roofing packet contains the Building Permit Application, a Construction Waste Disposal Statement, a Reroofing Scope of Work (replacement by tear-off, or re-cover with a new roof over the existing roof, with the Florida Product Approval numbers for each product) and a Reroofing Inspection Affidavit. The scope sheet states: "If damaged decking replacement is required, an inspection is required." The application warns that "A NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT MUST BE RECORDED AND POSTED ON THE JOB SITE BEFORE THE FIRST INSPECTION." State law makes it "unlawful for any person, firm, corporation, or governmental entity to construct, erect, alter, modify, repair, or demolish any building within this state without first obtaining a permit" (section 553.79(1)(a), Florida Statutes). Under the City's administrative amendments to the Florida Building Code (Land Development Regulations section 22-3, section 109.4), anyone who starts work before obtaining the necessary permits "shall be subject to a fee established by the building official that shall be in addition to the required permit fees or as provided by local ordinance."
Inspection requirements
The Community Development Department states: "The deadline for scheduling an inspection is 4 p.m. the day before, with the exception of a 3:00 p.m. deadline for utilities inspections," and inspections scheduled through the automated system after 4 p.m. are scheduled two business days out. Under the City's administrative amendments (Land Development Regulations section 22-3), the roofing inspection "Shall at a minimum be made in at least two inspections and include the following building components: Dry-in, Insulation, Roof coverings (including In Progress as necessary), Insulation on roof deck (according to submitted energy calculation), Flashing," and for a re-roof sheathing inspection "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 may be accepted at the discretion of the building official." The City's Reroofing Inspection Affidavit, signed after dry-in, certifies "the sheathing, nailing, dry-in, and flashings," is kept at the job site with photographs of each roof plane, and states that "A final roofing inspection is required."
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; section 553.73(6), Florida Statutes, provides that the code and each update "is deemed adopted for use statewide without adoptions by local government." Land Development Regulations section 22-1 provides that "The City of Tavares shall regulate building construction through the enforcement of the Florida Building Code and other codes, as adopted and/or amended in this section," and section 22-3 amends Chapter 1 (administration) of the Florida Building Code (Ord. No. 2022-17, September 21, 2022); the City has published no statement naming the edition it enforces. Section 5-181 of the City's Code of Ordinances still carries a 1991 adoption of the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code, 1989 Edition. The City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) makes no technical amendment to the roofing chapters, and the Florida Building Commission's registry of local technical amendments to the 8th Edition lists none from Tavares or Lake County.
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," with closer spacing where the Vasd is 110 mph or greater. The requirement is written for shingle roofs. The City's Reroofing Scope of Work asks whether drip edge will be repaired, replaced or reused. The City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) does not amend the section, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9. 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." Neither the City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) nor any registered local amendment adds an ice barrier. A self-adhering ASTM D1970 underlayment remains one of the permitted underlayment methods under section R905.1.1.1; it is not prohibited. About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — The City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) amends only the administrative chapter of the Florida Building Code, and the Florida Building Commission's registry lists no Tavares or Lake County technical amendment to the roofing chapters; no UL 2218 or Class 4 impact requirement appears in the Florida Building Code, Residential Chapter 9, Building Chapter 15 or Existing Building Chapter 7 as they apply in Tavares. Florida's shingle classes under section R905.2.6.1 (ASTM D3161, TAS 107, ASTM D7158) are wind ratings, not impact ratings, and the City's "impact-resistant coverings" provisions concern the protection of openings, not roof coverings.
Repair permit threshold
The City's administrative amendments to the Florida Building Code (Land Development Regulations section 22-3, Ord. No. 2022-17, September 21, 2022) list the building work for which "Permits shall not be required" (oil derricks, finish work such as painting and tiling, temporary stage sets, small above-ground pools, nursery shade cloth structures, playground equipment and movable fixtures); roofing is not on the list. Section 105.2.2 of the same amendments allows "Ordinary minor repairs" to "be made with the approval of the building official without a permit." Section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes (effective July 1, 2026), reads: "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," does not apply to "Work on a property that is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area" or to "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work," requires "a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency with a copy of the contract," and provides that "A construction project may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph." Separately, the Florida Building Code's 25 percent rule 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. The City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) states no layer limit of its own and does not amend section R908.3, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9.
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." 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 must meet the code in effect. In Tavares, the Reroofing Scope of Work states that "If damaged decking replacement is required, an inspection is required," and the Reroofing Inspection Affidavit certifies the sheathing and nailing as done "in conformance to the Hurricane Mitigation Retrofit Manual (Based on F.S. Chapter 553.844)." The City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) does not amend these sections.
Sales & use tax
7% combined on materials: the 6% Florida state sales and use tax plus Lake County's 1% discretionary sales surtax, which the Florida Department of Revenue's Form DR-15DSS for calendar year 2026 lists as effective January 1, 1988, with an expiration date of December 31, 2032. Per the Department, the surtax "applies to the first $5,000 of the sales amount on the sale, use, lease, rental, or license to use any item of tangible personal property." 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

Roofing in Tavares, FloridaCity hub

More roof permit pages in Florida

Temple Terrace, FLRoof permit Titusville, FLRoof permit Unincorporated Alachua County, FLRoof permit Unincorporated Bay County, FLRoof permit Unincorporated Bradford County, FLRoof permit Roofing in FloridaState hub

Related guides

Denver-Metro Roofing Permits Filing a Hail Insurance Claim Colorado Hail Season Prep Hiring a Contractor

The City of Tavares Community Development Department, which oversees building and permitting in the City, reviews construction permit applications for conformance with the Florida Building Code, issues building permits (including re-roofing permits) by email and performs the inspections through its Building Division.

Working an insurance claim in Tavares, FL? 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).

Code items like drip edge and ice & water shield are what adjusters ask you to document.

Buy this jurisdiction's pack: $12 Delivered by email within minutes. Digital download: all sales are final once delivered, except for a failed delivery, a defective file, a duplicate purchase, or a pack materially different from its description. See Section 6 of our Terms of Use.

Questions about the Tavares, FL pack?

Not ready to buy, or need a different jurisdiction? Tell us and we’ll reply directly.

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Sources

Roofing questions: Tavares, FL

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Tavares, FL?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Tavares, FL. The City's administrative amendments to the Florida Building Code (Land Development Regulations section 22-3, Ord. No. 2022-17, September 21, 2022) list the building work for which "Permits shall not be required" (oil derricks, finish work such as painting and tiling, temporary stage sets, small above-ground pools, nursery shade cloth structures, playground equipment and movable fixtures); roofing is not on the list. Section 105.2.2 of the same amendments allows "Ordinary minor repairs" to "be made with the approval of the building official without a permit." Section 553.79(1)(g), Florida Statutes (effective July 1, 2026), reads: "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," does not apply to "Work on a property that is partially or entirely located in a flood hazard area" or to "Any electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, or gas work," requires "a written request for exemption to the local enforcement agency with a copy of the contract," and provides that "A construction project may not be divided into more than one project for the purpose of evading the requirements of this paragraph." Separately, the Florida Building Code's 25 percent rule applies to roof repairs (see the deck and sheathing field).

Is ice & water shield required in Tavares, FL?

No. 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." Neither the City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) nor any registered local amendment adds an ice barrier. A self-adhering ASTM D1970 underlayment remains one of the permitted underlayment methods under section R905.1.1.1; it is not prohibited.

Is drip edge required in Tavares, FL?

Yes. 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," with closer spacing where the Vasd is 110 mph or greater. The requirement is written for shingle roofs. The City's Reroofing Scope of Work asks whether drip edge will be repaired, replaced or reused. The City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) does not amend the section, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Tavares, FL?

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. The City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) states no layer limit of its own and does not amend section R908.3, and no registered local amendment reaches Residential Chapter 9.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Tavares, FL?

Yes.

What building code does Tavares, FL use?

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; section 553.73(6), Florida Statutes, provides that the code and each update "is deemed adopted for use statewide without adoptions by local government." Land Development Regulations section 22-1 provides that "The City of Tavares shall regulate building construction through the enforcement of the Florida Building Code and other codes, as adopted and/or amended in this section," and section 22-3 amends Chapter 1 (administration) of the Florida Building Code (Ord. No. 2022-17, September 21, 2022); the City has published no statement naming the edition it enforces. Section 5-181 of the City's Code of Ordinances still carries a 1991 adoption of the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code, 1989 Edition. The City's building chapter (Land Development Regulations Chapter 22, read in full) makes no technical amendment to the roofing chapters, and the Florida Building Commission's registry of local technical amendments to the 8th Edition lists none from Tavares or Lake County.