Permitting Authorities / Township of Whiteford - Building Department
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Whiteford, MI?
Adopted code
Township of Whiteford - Building Department
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Whiteford, MI, issued by Township of Whiteford - Building Department. In Whiteford Township a reroof takes a building permit: the township's Application for Plan Examination and Building Permit lists "Tearoff/Reroof" among its types of improvement and asks for the cost of the improvement, the contractor's builder's license number and expiration date, and the contractor's "Workers Comp. Ins. Carrier or Reason for Exemption". The Building Department's page says "If any structure is begun without first pulling a building permit, the permit fee will be doubled." It also says "TWO complete set of building plans and TWO sets of site plans must be supplied to the building inspector prior to the issuance of a building permit"; the application's own checklist of documents to turn in lists plans only for a new building and a new accessory building, so ask the Building Inspector what a reroof needs. The township's Building Permit Rates schedule, marked "Approved at Board Meeting" with the date 9/16/2025, is a valuation table that starts at $100.00 for a valuation "From 1 - 8,000". The application is returned to Whiteford Township, 8000 Yankee Road, Suite 100, Ottawa Lake, MI 49267, with a check payable to Whiteford Township. The Building Inspector's number is 517-937-9050, and the department's office hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 3:00pm and Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm, with "Other times by appointment". The township posts no online permit portal.
Roof code checklist: Township of Whiteford, 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 Whiteford, Michigan
Address
8000 Yankee Road, Suite 100, Ottawa Lake, MI 49267
Contact
- url: https://whitefordtownshipmi.gov/home/building-department/
- phone: 517-937-9050
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Permit process note
In Whiteford Township a reroof takes a building permit: the township's Application for Plan Examination and Building Permit lists "Tearoff/Reroof" among its types of improvement and asks for the cost of the improvement, the contractor's builder's license number and expiration date, and the contractor's "Workers Comp. Ins. Carrier or Reason for Exemption". The Building Department's page says "If any structure is begun without first pulling a building permit, the permit fee will be doubled." It also says "TWO complete set of building plans and TWO sets of site plans must be supplied to the building inspector prior to the issuance of a building permit"; the application's own checklist of documents to turn in lists plans only for a new building and a new accessory building, so ask the Building Inspector what a reroof needs. The township's Building Permit Rates schedule, marked "Approved at Board Meeting" with the date 9/16/2025, is a valuation table that starts at $100.00 for a valuation "From 1 - 8,000". The application is returned to Whiteford Township, 8000 Yankee Road, Suite 100, Ottawa Lake, MI 49267, with a check payable to Whiteford Township. The Building Inspector's number is 517-937-9050, and the department's office hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 3:00pm and Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm, with "Other times by appointment". The township posts no online permit portal.
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 Whiteford as its own building code enforcer. Whiteford Township Ordinance 63-A, adopted August 28, 2014, designates the township's Building Official as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act and provides that Appendix G of the Michigan Building Code is enforced, and Ordinance 59, adopted June 18, 2013, repealed the township's older Building Code (Ordinance 12) and Construction Code (Ordinance 13). The Building Department's page, read October 12, 2026, says "The township is currently using the Michigan Building Code of 2009."; that names a Michigan Building Code edition, whose text was not read, and this record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above. The township's building permit application names no 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 Building Department page, the building permit application and the township's construction-related 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 Building Department page, the building permit application and the township's construction-related 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 Building Department page, the building permit application and the township's construction-related ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
Whiteford Township treats a reroof as permit work and states no size or dollar point below which it needs none. Its Application for Plan Examination and Building Permit, posted on the township's Forms page, lists "Tearoff/Reroof" as its own type of improvement, separate from "Repair, replacement" and "Alteration", and the Building Department's page says "If any structure is begun without first pulling a building permit, the permit fee will be doubled." The township's published pages say nothing about a repair that is smaller than a reroof. 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, and the township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. For a small repair, call the Building Inspector at 517-937-9050 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 ordinance page lists no building code ordinance; the three ordinances on it that bear on construction, Ordinance 22 (Dangerous Building), Ordinance 59 (repeal of old ordinances) and Ordinance 63-A (floodplain management under the state construction code), were read, and the Zoning Ordinance and Ordinance 54 (municipal civil infractions) were searched. None has a reroofing provision, and none amends anything in Section R908; the Zoning Ordinance's only roofing provision requires a manufactured dwelling's main roof to be finished with a commonly used shingle or other roofing material. The Building Department page and the building permit application 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 Building Department page, the building permit application and the township's construction-related 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 Whiteford Township Building Department page changes this.
Local roofing hub
More roof permit pages in Michigan
Related guides
Whiteford Township's Building Department, at the township hall at 8000 Yankee Road in Ottawa Lake, Monroe County, issues building permits through a Building Inspector, with separate electrical and plumbing and mechanical inspectors. The township's Ordinance 63-A designates its Building Official as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act, and the State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the Township as its own building code enforcer. 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 Whiteford, MI
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Whiteford, MI?
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Whiteford, MI. Whiteford Township treats a reroof as permit work and states no size or dollar point below which it needs none. Its Application for Plan Examination and Building Permit, posted on the township's Forms page, lists "Tearoff/Reroof" as its own type of improvement, separate from "Repair, replacement" and "Alteration", and the Building Department's page says "If any structure is begun without first pulling a building permit, the permit fee will be doubled." The township's published pages say nothing about a repair that is smaller than a reroof. 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, and the township has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. For a small repair, call the Building Inspector at 517-937-9050 before starting.
Is ice & water shield required in Township of Whiteford, 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 Building Department page, the building permit application and the township's construction-related ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.
Is drip edge required in Township of Whiteford, 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 Building Department page, the building permit application and the township's construction-related ordinances were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.
Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Whiteford, 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 ordinance page lists no building code ordinance; the three ordinances on it that bear on construction, Ordinance 22 (Dangerous Building), Ordinance 59 (repeal of old ordinances) and Ordinance 63-A (floodplain management under the state construction code), were read, and the Zoning Ordinance and Ordinance 54 (municipal civil infractions) were searched. None has a reroofing provision, and none amends anything in Section R908; the Zoning Ordinance's only roofing provision requires a manufactured dwelling's main roof to be finished with a commonly used shingle or other roofing material. The Building Department page and the building permit application state no layer rule.
Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Township of Whiteford, MI?
Yes.
What building code does Township of Whiteford, 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 Whiteford as its own building code enforcer. Whiteford Township Ordinance 63-A, adopted August 28, 2014, designates the township's Building Official as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act and provides that Appendix G of the Michigan Building Code is enforced, and Ordinance 59, adopted June 18, 2013, repealed the township's older Building Code (Ordinance 12) and Construction Code (Ordinance 13). The Building Department's page, read October 12, 2026, says "The township is currently using the Michigan Building Code of 2009."; that names a Michigan Building Code edition, whose text was not read, and this record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above. The township's building permit application names no edition.