The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / City of Ypsilanti - Building Department

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Ypsilanti, MI?

Adopted code

City of Ypsilanti - Building Department

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Ypsilanti, MI, issued by City of Ypsilanti - Building Department. The Plan Review & Building Inspections page lists "Roofs (house and/or garage)" under "City Building Permits Required, Without Plans", and the department's 2026 Building Permit and Plan Review Application has a "Re-roof" box under type of work. The application states "There is a $100.00 base application fee for building permits. For every $1,000 of construction value, after the first $1,000, an extra $11 is added to the permit cost. Plan review costs are 20% of the original permit cost. Final inspection is included in the base fee. Disapproved inspections are $70.00 and must be paid before rescheduling." It also says "Plans are not required for alterations and repair work determined by the Building Official to be of a minor nature" and "If a contractor is hired for a project, it is highly recommended that the contractor be the one to obtain permits." The Building Permits page says "The Building Department has a minimum of 10 business days to review permit applications." The application adds "Historical properties are to submit plans to the Historic District Commission before a permit application can be processed." Applications, payments and inspection requests go through BS&A Online, and licensed contractors file a Contractor Registration Form before applying. The office is at City Hall, One South Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197; the application and contractor form give the Building Department's line as 734-482-1025, and the city site lists City Hall hours of Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Roof code checklist: Ypsilanti, MI

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYescityofypsilanti.com2026-10-11
Repair permit thresholdPublishedcityofypsilanti.com2026-10-11
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-11
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-11
Drip edgeYesR905.2.8.5codes.iccsafe.org2026-10-11
Ice & water shieldYesR905.1.2ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-11
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNoars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-11
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 18-51ars.apps.lara.state.mi.us2026-10-11
Contractor license / registrationYeslegislature.mi.gov2026-10-11
Sales & use taxPublishedlegislature.mi.gov2026-10-11

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 Ypsilanti, Michigan
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
One South Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
Contact
  • url: https://www.cityofypsilanti.com/157/Building-Department
  • phone: 734-482-1025
Permit portal
Permit portal
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.
  • city_level: The city's Contractor Registration Form says it "is to be completed by state-licensed contractors, architects, engineers, and design professionals prior to applying for permits", asks for the contractor's licence number and expiration date, workers' compensation carrier, federal ID and MESC employer number, and says "A COPY OF YOUR STATE ISSUED CONTRACTOR AND DRIVER'S LICENSE/PHOTO I.D. MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH THIS APPLICATION." The pages read for this record name no separate city contractor licence or bond for roofers.
Permit process note
The Plan Review & Building Inspections page lists "Roofs (house and/or garage)" under "City Building Permits Required, Without Plans", and the department's 2026 Building Permit and Plan Review Application has a "Re-roof" box under type of work. The application states "There is a $100.00 base application fee for building permits. For every $1,000 of construction value, after the first $1,000, an extra $11 is added to the permit cost. Plan review costs are 20% of the original permit cost. Final inspection is included in the base fee. Disapproved inspections are $70.00 and must be paid before rescheduling." It also says "Plans are not required for alterations and repair work determined by the Building Official to be of a minor nature" and "If a contractor is hired for a project, it is highly recommended that the contractor be the one to obtain permits." The Building Permits page says "The Building Department has a minimum of 10 business days to review permit applications." The application adds "Historical properties are to submit plans to the Historic District Commission before a permit application can be processed." Applications, payments and inspection requests go through BS&A Online, and licensed contractors file a Contractor Registration Form before applying. The office is at City Hall, One South Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197; the application and contractor form give the Building Department's line as 734-482-1025, and the city site lists City Hall hours of Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.
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." The City of Ypsilanti's Code of Ordinances, Section 18-51, designates the building inspector and designees as the building official and says "The city hereby assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the state building code, the state plumbing code and the state mechanical code throughout its corporate limits." The Building Department's Work Exempt from Permits sheet reprints Section R105 of the "2015 Michigan Residential Code". Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, Articles I to VI, Sections 18-1 to 18-228, read in full in Municode Supplement 16, codified through Ordinance No. 1456, December 9, 2025) adopts no residential code edition of its own; it adopts the "International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition" (Section 18-91) and repeals the city's earlier adoption of a National Electrical Code edition (Section 18-71).
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 City of Ypsilanti Building Department pages and Chapter 18 of its Code of Ordinances (read in full) were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge. About drip edge
Ice & 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 City of Ypsilanti Building Department pages and Chapter 18 of its Code of Ordinances (read in full) were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier. About ice & water barrier
Impact-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 City of Ypsilanti Building Department pages and Chapter 18 of its Code of Ordinances state no impact rule.
Repair permit threshold
The City of Ypsilanti Building Department's Plan Review & Building Inspections page lists "Roofs (house and/or garage)" under "City Building Permits Required, Without Plans" and warns "Doing Work Without Permits Can Result in Fines & Costs of Up to $10,000". Its Building Permits page says "A building permit is required for new construction, alterations, and structural changes to an existing building. If you are not sure if your project requires a building permit, please contact our office." The department's Work Exempt from Permits sheet reprints Section R105.2.2 of the 2015 Michigan Residential Code: "Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures". 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 department's own list puts roofs on the permit side, so a reroof of a house or garage in the city starts with a building permit.
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 18 of the City of Ypsilanti Code of Ordinances (read in full, Articles I to VI, Sections 18-1 to 18-228, Municode Supplement 16) sets permit fees by council resolution, designates the enforcing agency, adopts the property maintenance code and regulates rental, vacant and dangerous buildings; it has no reroofing or layer provision, and the Building Department pages state no layer rule. Nothing local amends Section R908.
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 City of Ypsilanti Building Department pages and Chapter 18 of its Code of Ordinances (read in full) were read for a local rule and state nothing further on roof decks or 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." The same 6% applies in the City of Ypsilanti.

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The City of Ypsilanti Building Department, at City Hall, One South Huron Street, issues all building permits within the city limits and takes applications and inspection requests through BS&A Online. Its Plan Review & Building Inspections page lists "Roofs (house and/or garage)" among the work that needs a building permit, and its permit application has a "Re-roof" box. Michigan applies one residential code statewide, so the code rules below are state law.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Ypsilanti, MI

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Ypsilanti, MI?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Ypsilanti, MI. The City of Ypsilanti Building Department's Plan Review & Building Inspections page lists "Roofs (house and/or garage)" under "City Building Permits Required, Without Plans" and warns "Doing Work Without Permits Can Result in Fines & Costs of Up to $10,000". Its Building Permits page says "A building permit is required for new construction, alterations, and structural changes to an existing building. If you are not sure if your project requires a building permit, please contact our office." The department's Work Exempt from Permits sheet reprints Section R105.2.2 of the 2015 Michigan Residential Code: "Application or notice to the building official is not required for ordinary repairs to structures". 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 department's own list puts roofs on the permit side, so a reroof of a house or garage in the city starts with a building permit.

Is ice & water shield required in Ypsilanti, 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 City of Ypsilanti Building Department pages and Chapter 18 of its Code of Ordinances (read in full) were read for a local rule and state nothing further on ice barrier.

Is drip edge required in Ypsilanti, 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 City of Ypsilanti Building Department pages and Chapter 18 of its Code of Ordinances (read in full) were read for a local rule and state nothing further on drip edge.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Ypsilanti, 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 18 of the City of Ypsilanti Code of Ordinances (read in full, Articles I to VI, Sections 18-1 to 18-228, Municode Supplement 16) sets permit fees by council resolution, designates the enforcing agency, adopts the property maintenance code and regulates rental, vacant and dangerous buildings; it has no reroofing or layer provision, and the Building Department pages state no layer rule. Nothing local amends Section R908.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Ypsilanti, MI?

Yes.

What building code does Ypsilanti, 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." The City of Ypsilanti's Code of Ordinances, Section 18-51, designates the building inspector and designees as the building official and says "The city hereby assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the state building code, the state plumbing code and the state mechanical code throughout its corporate limits." The Building Department's Work Exempt from Permits sheet reprints Section R105 of the "2015 Michigan Residential Code". Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances (Buildings and Building Regulations, Articles I to VI, Sections 18-1 to 18-228, read in full in Municode Supplement 16, codified through Ordinance No. 1456, December 9, 2025) adopts no residential code edition of its own; it adopts the "International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 edition" (Section 18-91) and repeals the city's earlier adoption of a National Electrical Code edition (Section 18-71).