Roofing in Buchanan, Michigan

Required

Required

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 Buchanan, in Berrien County, as its own building code enforcer, separately from the Township of Buchanan. The city's codified Code of Ordinances Sec. 14-36 (Ord. No. 347.99, 5-10-99) adopts "the Uniform Building Code, 1997 edition" and "International One and Two Family Dwelling Code Appendix, 1998 edition"; this directory has not read that text, and whether the codified reference has any effect today is not decided here. The city's codified Sec. 14-86 adopts "The Uniform Housing Code, 1991 Edition", and its Sec. 14-51 designates "the building official of the City of Buchanan" as the enforcing agency. This record states the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which the state construction code act applies throughout the state ("This act and the code apply throughout the state," MCL 125.1508a) and which LARA says remains in effect while the Court of Claims order of July 7, 2025 stands. The city's Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria page, updated 12-29-2020, says "Ref: Table R301.2(1) of the 2015 Michigan Residential Code", and its Building Permit Regulations page says "We administer the Michigan Building Code, Michigan Residential Code and the National Electrical Code (with Michigan part 8 rules)."

The city's published permit material says nothing specific about roof work: the Building and Inspections page, the Building Permit Regulations, Forms & Applications page, the new construction requirements page and the fee schedule name no roofing line and no reroof exemption. With the city silent on reroofs, the state's general permit rule applies: "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 city has published nothing applying that relief to roof work. The Building Permit Regulations page says "The City of Buchanan has chosen by local ordinance to administer the construction codes which are mandated state wide by state law." and "Building permit fees are based on the value (cost) of the project.", adds "Building permit applications and plans will be reviewed for code compliance and the permit issued from the Building Department.", and warns that it is unlawful "for commencing work regulated by law without first applying for and obtaining the proper permit(s)". The fee schedule effective March 24, 2026 starts at "$1 to $2000: $75 for the first $2,000". The inspections page says "24-hour minimum notice is required for inspections." The page says "Mechanical & Plumbing permits for the City are issued by the State of Michigan". The Building Department is at 302 N. Redbud Trail in Buchanan and answers at 269-695-0011; the city's building contact page lists the Building Inspector.