Permitting Authorities / City of Williamston - Building Permits (Livingston County Building Department)
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Williamston, MI?
Adopted code
City of Williamston - Building Permits (Livingston County Building Department)
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Williamston, MI, issued by City of Williamston - Building Permits (Livingston County Building Department). A Williamston reroof goes through the Livingston County Building Department: the City of Williamston's building page says "The City of Williamston contracts with the Livingston County Building Department.", and the county's own page says "Livingston County Building Department does handle permitting & inspecting for the City of Williamston". The county's fee page lists "Residential Re-roofing" at $100.00 and says "Fees are due and payable at the time of submitting a Building Permit Application." The city's zoning permit application tells applicants to "Submit Livingston County Building Permit Application" with the zoning application at City Hall or directly to the county "following zoning approval from the City", and says "All Livingston County Building Department fees are due and payable in full to the Building Department prior to receiving an approved building permit." That application lists "Any structural changes in any existing building or structure" among the work for which Section 74-9.102 of the city zoning ordinance requires a zoning permit; it names no roofing, so ask the city whether a reroof needs a zoning permit. The city's building page gives the county office as 2300 E. Grand River Ave in Howell, (517) 546-3240, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, and says "Call (517) 546-3830" for inspections. The city's own offices are at 161 East Grand River Avenue, Williamston, (517) 655-2774. The Livingston County - Building Department record covers the townships and villages the state's jurisdiction list assigns to the county, and it also answers that a residential reroof is permit work.
Roof code checklist: Williamston, 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
City of Williamston, Michigan
Address
2300 E. Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843
Contact
- url: https://williamston-mi.us/departments/building-department
- phone: 517-546-3240
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
- state_level: Michigan licenses residential maintenance and alteration contractors under the Occupational Code, and that licence "includes the following crafts and trades" among which it names roofing (MCL 339.2404(3)); "A person shall not engage in or attempt to engage in the practice of an occupation regulated under this act" without the licence (MCL 339.601(1)). MCL 339.2403 lists who may work without one, including a project whose "aggregate contract price for the labor, material, and any other items for the undertaking or project is less than $600.00". This record does not decide whether a given roofer falls inside an exemption.
Permit process note
A Williamston reroof goes through the Livingston County Building Department: the City of Williamston's building page says "The City of Williamston contracts with the Livingston County Building Department.", and the county's own page says "Livingston County Building Department does handle permitting & inspecting for the City of Williamston". The county's fee page lists "Residential Re-roofing" at $100.00 and says "Fees are due and payable at the time of submitting a Building Permit Application." The city's zoning permit application tells applicants to "Submit Livingston County Building Permit Application" with the zoning application at City Hall or directly to the county "following zoning approval from the City", and says "All Livingston County Building Department fees are due and payable in full to the Building Department prior to receiving an approved building permit." That application lists "Any structural changes in any existing building or structure" among the work for which Section 74-9.102 of the city zoning ordinance requires a zoning permit; it names no roofing, so ask the city whether a reroof needs a zoning permit. The city's building page gives the county office as 2300 E. Grand River Ave in Howell, (517) 546-3240, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, and says "Call (517) 546-3830" for inspections. The city's own offices are at 161 East Grand River Avenue, Williamston, (517) 655-2774. The Livingston County - Building Department record covers the townships and villages the state's jurisdiction list assigns to the county, and it also answers that a residential reroof is permit work.
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 City of Williamston as its own building code enforcer, and the city's building page says it contracts with the Livingston County Building Department. Section 14-31 of the city's Code of Ordinances provides that "the duly appointed building official, electrical official, mechanical official and plumbing official of the city are designated as the enforcing agency" under the state construction code act and names no edition. Nothing the city or the county department publishes that was read for this record names a residential code edition, and this record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above. Section 14-1 of the city code adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2006 edition, which is a property maintenance code and not a dwelling construction code.
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). Chapter 14 of the Williamston Code of Ordinances, the city's building page and the county department's fee page 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). Chapter 14 of the Williamston Code of Ordinances, the city's building page and the county department's fee page 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." Chapter 14 of the Williamston Code of Ordinances, the city's building page and the county department's fee page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on impact resistance.
Repair permit threshold
The Livingston County Building Department, which the City of Williamston says it contracts with for building permits and inspections, lists "Residential Re-roofing" at $100.00 on its own fee page, so the department that issues the permit prices a residential reroof as permit work. The county fee page and the City of Williamston's building page state no size, square or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit, so they leave open whether a small roof repair needs one, and the city's zoning permit application, which asks applicants to submit the county building permit application, lists "Any structural changes in any existing building or structure" among the work needing a zoning permit and names no roofing. The state part: Michigan's construction code act says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" and does not define ordinary repairs. The county department has published nothing applying that relief to roof work.
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, Chapter 14 of the Williamston Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, codified through Ordinance No. 370, enacted July 22, 2019), the city's building ordinance, was read in full: it adopts a property maintenance code, designates the enforcing agency, sets permit fees by resolution, and covers building numbering, soil erosion, dangerous buildings and flood damage prevention; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The city's building page and zoning permit application and the county's fee page 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). Chapter 14 of the Williamston Code of Ordinances, the city's building page and the county department's fee page 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 City of Williamston building page or the Livingston County Building Department's fee page changes this.
Local roofing hub
More roof permit pages in Michigan
Related guides
The City of Williamston contracts with the Livingston County Building Department, at 2300 E. Grand River Avenue in Howell, for building permits and inspections, and the county's own page says it handles permitting and inspecting for the city. Section 14-31 of the city code designates the city's building official as the enforcing agency under the state construction code act, and the State of Michigan's jurisdiction list names the City 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: Williamston, MI
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Williamston, MI?
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Williamston, MI. The Livingston County Building Department, which the City of Williamston says it contracts with for building permits and inspections, lists "Residential Re-roofing" at $100.00 on its own fee page, so the department that issues the permit prices a residential reroof as permit work. The county fee page and the City of Williamston's building page state no size, square or dollar point below which roof work needs no permit, so they leave open whether a small roof repair needs one, and the city's zoning permit application, which asks applicants to submit the county building permit application, lists "Any structural changes in any existing building or structure" among the work needing a zoning permit and names no roofing. The state part: Michigan's construction code act says "A building permit is not required for ordinary repairs of a building or structure" and does not define ordinary repairs. The county department has published nothing applying that relief to roof work.
Is ice & water shield required in Williamston, 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). Chapter 14 of the Williamston Code of Ordinances, the city's building page and the county department's fee page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.
Is drip edge required in Williamston, 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). Chapter 14 of the Williamston Code of Ordinances, the city's building page and the county department's fee page were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.
Can you roof over an existing roof in Williamston, 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, Chapter 14 of the Williamston Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, codified through Ordinance No. 370, enacted July 22, 2019), the city's building ordinance, was read in full: it adopts a property maintenance code, designates the enforcing agency, sets permit fees by resolution, and covers building numbering, soil erosion, dangerous buildings and flood damage prevention; it has no reroofing provision and amends nothing in Section R908. The city's building page and zoning permit application and the county's fee page state no layer rule.
Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Williamston, MI?
Yes.
What building code does Williamston, 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 City of Williamston as its own building code enforcer, and the city's building page says it contracts with the Livingston County Building Department. Section 14-31 of the city's Code of Ordinances provides that "the duly appointed building official, electrical official, mechanical official and plumbing official of the city are designated as the enforcing agency" under the state construction code act and names no edition. Nothing the city or the county department publishes that was read for this record names a residential code edition, and this record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code for the reasons above. Section 14-1 of the city code adopts the International Property Maintenance Code, 2006 edition, which is a property maintenance code and not a dwelling construction code.