Permitting Authorities / Township of Vernon - Building Department
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Vernon, MI?
Adopted code
Township of Vernon - Building Department
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Vernon, MI, issued by Township of Vernon - Building Department. Vernon Township's own Building/Zoning Permit Application lists "Replacement Windows, Roofing, Siding, Misc." at "$50.00" with "($7 per each add'l. $1,000 value)" among its fee lines, and the form says "Work started without a permit is a violation of city ordinance" and "Failure to obtain a permit will result in double permit fees being charged as per state law". The same form says "Incomplete applications will be rejected" and "A plan and zoning review may be required before work is started." and is sent to the Building Department at P.O. Box 354 in Durand. The township's fee schedule, "Adopted: February 09, 2026", lists no roofing line, so its figures and the form's differ and the current fee for roof work should be confirmed with the department. The state's general permit rule is "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit." The same section says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," without defining ordinary repairs, and the township has published no exemption that applies that relief to roof work. The Building Department page says the department "reviews building plans, issues permits, conducts inspections, and enforces zoning regulations", and the Building Official page gives "Office Hours: By appointment only." with the township's number, 989-288-4403, extension 105.
Roof code checklist: Township of Vernon, MI
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
Township of Vernon, Shiawassee County, Michigan
Address
P.O. Box 354, Durand, MI 48429
Contact
- url: https://vernontwp-mi.gov/building-zoning/
- phone: 989-288-4403
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Permit process note
Vernon Township's own Building/Zoning Permit Application lists "Replacement Windows, Roofing, Siding, Misc." at "$50.00" with "($7 per each add'l. $1,000 value)" among its fee lines, and the form says "Work started without a permit is a violation of city ordinance" and "Failure to obtain a permit will result in double permit fees being charged as per state law". The same form says "Incomplete applications will be rejected" and "A plan and zoning review may be required before work is started." and is sent to the Building Department at P.O. Box 354 in Durand. The township's fee schedule, "Adopted: February 09, 2026", lists no roofing line, so its figures and the form's differ and the current fee for roof work should be confirmed with the department. The state's general permit rule is "before construction of a building or structure, the owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application in writing to the appropriate enforcing agency for a building permit." The same section says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure," without defining ordinary repairs, and the township has published no exemption that applies that relief to roof work. The Building Department page says the department "reviews building plans, issues permits, conducts inspections, and enforces zoning regulations", and the Building Official page gives "Office Hours: By appointment only." with the township's number, 989-288-4403, extension 105.
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 Township of Vernon, in Shiawassee County, as its own building code enforcer; it lists the Village of Vernon separately, and it shows the Township of Vernon in Isabella County as enforced by that county. The township's building permit application says work "shall be installed in accordance with the Michigan State Building Code" and names no edition, and its Dangerous Buildings Ordinance (No. 2008-27) defines "Township Building Code" as the building code administered and enforced under the state construction code act, without an edition. Its Ordinance No. 2026-02 adopts the "International Property Maintenance Code, 2015 edition", a property maintenance code rather than a dwelling code. The township's Building Department page names no residential code 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). The township's Building Department page, building permit application, 2026 fee schedule and ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.
About drip edgeIce & 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). The township's Building Department page, building permit application, 2026 fee schedule and ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.
About ice & water barrierImpact-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 township's Building Department page, building permit application, 2026 fee schedule and ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
Vernon Township's Building/Zoning Permit Application, a form posted on its Building Department page, prices roof work as a line of its own: "Replacement Windows, Roofing, Siding, Misc." at "$50.00" with "($7 per each add'l. $1,000 value)". The line carries no size or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit, and the township's Building Department page, ordinances and zoning ordinance publish no reroof exemption. The township's fee schedule, "Adopted: February 09, 2026", prices building permits by construction value ("Building Permit - Cost is based on construction value" at "$60.00" "up to 1,000.00" and "$7.00" "for each additional $1,000") and has no roofing line of its own; the form's figures differ from it, so confirm the current fee with the Building Department. 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. For any roof work, large or small, call the Building Department at 989-288-4403, extension 105, 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 township's Ordinances page lists burning, cemetery, civil infraction, dangerous buildings, fireworks, noxious weeds and public nuisance ordinances and an International Property Maintenance Code ordinance. The two building-related instruments, the Dangerous Buildings Ordinance (No. 2008-27) and Ordinance No. 2026-02 adopting the International Property Maintenance Code, were read in full, and the Zoning Ordinance adopted October 14, 2024 and the civil infraction and public nuisance ordinances were searched; none has a reroofing provision, and none amends anything in Section R908. The burning, cemetery, fireworks and noxious weeds ordinances regulate other subjects and were not read. The Building Department page, building permit application and fee schedule state no layer rule.
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 township's Building Department page, building permit application, 2026 fee schedule and ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on roof 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." Nothing on the Vernon Township Building Department page changes this.
Local roofing hub
Roof permits nearby: Shiawassee County
More roof permit pages in Michigan
Related guides
The Vernon Township Building Department, in Shiawassee County, reviews building plans, issues permits, conducts inspections and enforces zoning for the township, and its building official keeps office hours by appointment and takes mail at P.O. Box 354 in Durand. The State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the Township of Vernon in Shiawassee County as its own building code enforcer; the Village of Vernon is a separate unit, and Vernon Township in Isabella County is a different township. Michigan's single state construction code applies, and for houses that is the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.
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Roofing questions: Township of Vernon, MI
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Vernon, MI?
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Vernon, MI. Vernon Township's Building/Zoning Permit Application, a form posted on its Building Department page, prices roof work as a line of its own: "Replacement Windows, Roofing, Siding, Misc." at "$50.00" with "($7 per each add'l. $1,000 value)". The line carries no size or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit, and the township's Building Department page, ordinances and zoning ordinance publish no reroof exemption. The township's fee schedule, "Adopted: February 09, 2026", prices building permits by construction value ("Building Permit - Cost is based on construction value" at "$60.00" "up to 1,000.00" and "$7.00" "for each additional $1,000") and has no roofing line of its own; the form's figures differ from it, so confirm the current fee with the Building Department. 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. For any roof work, large or small, call the Building Department at 989-288-4403, extension 105, before starting.
Is ice & water shield required in Township of Vernon, 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 Building Department page, building permit application, 2026 fee schedule and ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.
Is drip edge required in Township of Vernon, 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 Building Department page, building permit application, 2026 fee schedule and ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.
Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Vernon, 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 Ordinances page lists burning, cemetery, civil infraction, dangerous buildings, fireworks, noxious weeds and public nuisance ordinances and an International Property Maintenance Code ordinance. The two building-related instruments, the Dangerous Buildings Ordinance (No. 2008-27) and Ordinance No. 2026-02 adopting the International Property Maintenance Code, were read in full, and the Zoning Ordinance adopted October 14, 2024 and the civil infraction and public nuisance ordinances were searched; none has a reroofing provision, and none amends anything in Section R908. The burning, cemetery, fireworks and noxious weeds ordinances regulate other subjects and were not read. The Building Department page, building permit application and fee schedule state no layer rule.
Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Township of Vernon, MI?
Yes.
What building code does Township of Vernon, 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 Vernon, in Shiawassee County, as its own building code enforcer; it lists the Village of Vernon separately, and it shows the Township of Vernon in Isabella County as enforced by that county. The township's building permit application says work "shall be installed in accordance with the Michigan State Building Code" and names no edition, and its Dangerous Buildings Ordinance (No. 2008-27) defines "Township Building Code" as the building code administered and enforced under the state construction code act, without an edition. Its Ordinance No. 2026-02 adopts the "International Property Maintenance Code, 2015 edition", a property maintenance code rather than a dwelling code. The township's Building Department page names no residential code edition.