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Permitting Authorities / Washington County - Building Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Washington County, FL?

Adopted code

Washington County - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Washington County, FL, issued by Washington County - Building Department. Re-roofing in Washington County is permit work. The county's construction permit fee schedule ("Schedule A", effective September 1, 2024) carries a dedicated "Roofing Permit" fee of "$100 minimum, each additional square, $1 each," and the county's Trade Permit Application (revised April 2025) has a ROOF section for new builds, replacements and roof-overs that asks for the number of squares, metal or shingle, the job cost and the Florida Product Approval code. Before any inspection, "proper permits are required (Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, and Roofing)." On the application the applicant certifies "that no work or installation has commenced prior to the issuance of a permit," and the permit "is VOID after six (6) months from issuance unless the work it covers has been commenced and has had ongoing inspections." The fee schedule sets a "PENALTY - Work w/o Permit" of "Double Permit Fee" and a $75 reinspection fee. Applications may be emailed by contractors registered with the Building Department; all others are brought to the office. Washington County's own code (Section 14-1) exempts only nonresidential farm buildings, temporary construction sheds and temporary office units from the state building codes. 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). See the repair threshold field for the state's $7,500 exemption request.

Roof code checklist: Unincorporated Washington County, FL

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesbuilding_department_fees_4_2026.pdf2026-10-16
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
Washington County, Florida (unincorporated)
Jurisdiction type
county
Address
1331 South Boulevard, Suite 900, Chipley, FL 32428
Contact
  • url: https://washingtonfl.gov/departments/building/about/
  • phone: 850-638-6195
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.
  • county_level: Contractors register with the Washington County Building Department on its Contractor's License Registration form (revised October 2026), with a "CURRENT COPY OF YOUR STATE LICENSE AND DRIVER'S LICENSE" and a "CURRENT CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE FOR GENERAL LIABILTY AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE LISTING WASHINGTON COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT AS THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER," or a workers' compensation exemption card; "A COPY OF YOUR POLICY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED." "CERTIFIED CONTRACTORS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY AN ADMINISTRATION FEE OF $35.00." A letter of authorization is needed if anyone other than the licence holder will pull permits. The county's Building Permit Application asks for the contractor's state licence number. Owner-builders file the county's Owner Builder Disclosure Statement.
Permit process note
Re-roofing in Washington County is permit work. The county's construction permit fee schedule ("Schedule A", effective September 1, 2024) carries a dedicated "Roofing Permit" fee of "$100 minimum, each additional square, $1 each," and the county's Trade Permit Application (revised April 2025) has a ROOF section for new builds, replacements and roof-overs that asks for the number of squares, metal or shingle, the job cost and the Florida Product Approval code. Before any inspection, "proper permits are required (Building, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, and Roofing)." On the application the applicant certifies "that no work or installation has commenced prior to the issuance of a permit," and the permit "is VOID after six (6) months from issuance unless the work it covers has been commenced and has had ongoing inspections." The fee schedule sets a "PENALTY - Work w/o Permit" of "Double Permit Fee" and a $75 reinspection fee. Applications may be emailed by contractors registered with the Building Department; all others are brought to the office. Washington County's own code (Section 14-1) exempts only nonresidential farm buildings, temporary construction sheds and temporary office units from the state building codes. 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). See the repair threshold field for the state's $7,500 exemption request.
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." The county's Building Permit Application states "Code in effect 8th Edition Florida Building Code". Washington County Code Section 14-36 (last amended by Ord. No. 2018-3, May 24, 2018) provides: "The Florida Building Code, as it may be amended and updated from time to time, is hereby adopted for use in Washington County, Florida." The county's building code article (Chapter 14, Articles I and II, read in full) otherwise contains only its exemptions for farm buildings and temporary structures, a church fee exemption and its wind speed lines (Section 14-37); none amends the roofing chapters, and no registered local technical amendment to the 2023 Florida Building Code reaches Residential Chapter 9.
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." The requirement is written for shingle roofs. Washington County's building code article (Chapter 14, Articles I and II, read in full) does not amend it. 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." Washington County's building code article (Chapter 14, Articles I and II, read in full) adds no ice barrier. A self-adhering underlayment remains one of the permitted underlayment methods; it is not prohibited. About ice & water barrier
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Washington County's building code article (Chapter 14, Articles I and II, read in full: the adoption of the Florida Building Code, its exemptions and its wind speed lines) contains no roof-covering rating provision, and 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 the county. Florida's shingle classes under section R905.2.6.1 (ASTM D3161, TAS 107, ASTM D7158) are wind ratings, not impact ratings.
Repair permit threshold
No square-footage or dollar threshold of the county's own. Washington County's code exempts from the state minimum building codes only "Nonresidential farm buildings on farms," "Temporary buildings or sheds used exclusively for construction purposes" and temporary mobile or modular office units (Section 14-1); roof work is not among them, and the county's fee schedule prices a roofing permit from one square up. 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." The county has published no statement on whether roof work qualifies, and this record does not decide it; a full reroof is ordinarily valued above $7,500 in any case. The Florida Building Code's own relief, Building section 105.2.2, allows "Ordinary minor repairs" without a permit only "with the approval of the building official." 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." A single re-cover over one existing layer is therefore the most the code allows. Washington County's building code article (Chapter 14, Articles I and II, read in full) states no layer limit of its own and does not amend section R908.3; the county's Trade Permit Application lists "ROOF OVER" as a job type and states no layer number.
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 Washington County, the Building Department's Inspection Affidavit for Nailing & Water Barrier (revised May 2022) has a licensed contractor, engineer, architect or certified inspector swear to having personally inspected the "Roof Deck Nailing", the "Secondary Water Barrier" and the installation of all roofing materials, and determined "the installation was done according to the Hurricane Mitigation Retrofit Manual (Based on 553.844 F.S.)," with "photographs of each plane of the roof with the permit # or address clearly shown marked on the deck for each inspection."
Sales & use tax
7.5% combined: 6% Florida state sales and use tax plus Washington County's 1.5% discretionary sales surtax, which the Department of Revenue's Form DR-15DSS for calendar year 2026 lists as two parts: 1% effective November 1, 1993, with no expiration date, and 0.5% effective January 1, 2019, with an expiration date of December 31, 2028. The surtax applies only to the first $5,000 of the sales amount of any single 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.

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The building department of Washington County, Florida, in Chipley. It is responsible for issuing building permits, including roofing permits, reviewing plans, performing building and electrical inspections under the Florida Building Code, and keeping the county's contractor licensing records.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Unincorporated Washington County, FL

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Unincorporated Washington County, FL?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Unincorporated Washington County, FL. No square-footage or dollar threshold of the county's own. Washington County's code exempts from the state minimum building codes only "Nonresidential farm buildings on farms," "Temporary buildings or sheds used exclusively for construction purposes" and temporary mobile or modular office units (Section 14-1); roof work is not among them, and the county's fee schedule prices a roofing permit from one square up. 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." The county has published no statement on whether roof work qualifies, and this record does not decide it; a full reroof is ordinarily valued above $7,500 in any case. The Florida Building Code's own relief, Building section 105.2.2, allows "Ordinary minor repairs" without a permit only "with the approval of the building official." 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 Unincorporated Washington County, 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." Washington County's building code article (Chapter 14, Articles I and II, read in full) adds no ice barrier. A self-adhering underlayment remains one of the permitted underlayment methods; it is not prohibited.

Is drip edge required in Unincorporated Washington County, 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." The requirement is written for shingle roofs. Washington County's building code article (Chapter 14, Articles I and II, read in full) does not amend it.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Unincorporated Washington County, 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." A single re-cover over one existing layer is therefore the most the code allows. Washington County's building code article (Chapter 14, Articles I and II, read in full) states no layer limit of its own and does not amend section R908.3; the county's Trade Permit Application lists "ROOF OVER" as a job type and states no layer number.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Unincorporated Washington County, FL?

Yes.

What building code does Unincorporated Washington County, 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." The county's Building Permit Application states "Code in effect 8th Edition Florida Building Code". Washington County Code Section 14-36 (last amended by Ord. No. 2018-3, May 24, 2018) provides: "The Florida Building Code, as it may be amended and updated from time to time, is hereby adopted for use in Washington County, Florida." The county's building code article (Chapter 14, Articles I and II, read in full) otherwise contains only its exemptions for farm buildings and temporary structures, a church fee exemption and its wind speed lines (Section 14-37); none amends the roofing chapters, and no registered local technical amendment to the 2023 Florida Building Code reaches Residential Chapter 9.