Roofing in Winchester, Virginia

Required

The 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63), effective January 18, 2024. For detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, Section 310.6.1 of the Virginia Construction Code applies "The provisions of the IRC for detached one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses as amended by VCC Section 310.8, also referred to as the Virginia Residential Code (VRC)"; work on existing buildings falls under Part II, the Virginia Existing Building Code, whose reroofing section reads "602.3.2.1 Reroofing. Materials and methods of application used for recovering or replacing an existing roof covering shall comply with Chapter 15 of the VCC, except as modified by Section 302.1 and this section." The statewide code supersedes local building codes (Code of Virginia Section 36-98: "Such building code shall supersede the building codes and regulations of the counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions and state agencies."). The City's Inspections Department Technical Bulletin 24-1 (July 2024, approved by the Building Official) says: "Administrative provisions of the 2021 USBC will be effective on January 18, 2024. From January 18, 2024 until January 17, 2025, building permit applicants may choose to use the technical provisions of either the 2018 or 2021 USBC. ... Beginning January 18, 2025, all new building permit applications and construction must meet the 2021 USBC requirements." The City's Permits, Licensing & Applications page says "The 2021 Virginia Building Code (VCC) is now in effect." Chapter 6 of the Winchester City Code (Building Regulations), read in full as codified through Ordinance No. O-2025-6 (April 8, 2025), names no code edition and adds no technical roofing provision; it sets the permit fee schedule (Sec. 6-27) and a permit requirement for roofing, siding and window replacement in the Historic Winchester zoning district (Sec. 6-28).

Historic district first: in the Historic Winchester zoning district, City Code Sec. 6-28 requires "A building permit ... for any construction involving the replacement of roofing, siding, or windows", issued only after "all requisite zoning approvals have been issued by the Board of Architectural Review or Zoning Administrator"; the Building Permit application asks "Is your property in the Historic District?" and warns "Special approvals are required in the historic district for exterior changes." Elsewhere the statewide rule applies. Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 item 14.5 exempts "Replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering or siding in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 provided the building or structure is not in an area where the nominal design wind speed is greater than 100 miles per hour (44.7 meters per second) and replacement of 100 square feet (9.29 m 2 ) or less of roof covering in all groups and all wind zones." Item 14.6 exempts only "Replacement of 256 square feet (23.78 m 2 ) or less of roof decking in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5", so larger deck replacement is permit work. Two exceptions let the building official require a permit: "for the installation of replacement siding, roofing and windows in buildings within a historic district designated by a locality pursuant to Section 15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia" and "for any items exempted in this section which are located in a special flood hazard area." An owner may always ask for a permit: "when an owner or an owner's agent requests that a permit be issued for any of the following, then a permit shall be issued and any related inspections shall be required." The work must meet the code with or without a permit. Winchester publishes no design wind speed and no statement on residential reroof permits, so this record does not say whether an ordinary reroof outside the historic district needs one; ask Building Inspections first. The City says "It is strongly recommended that applicants consult with staff before formally submitting any application." and "A fee may be charged for starting work without required permit(s)." Where a permit is needed, apply for a Building Permit on the City's OpenGov portal (https://winchesterva.portal.opengov.com/); for help, call 540-667-1815 and ask for Planning, Zoning, and Inspections, or visit Rouss City Hall, 15 N. Cameron St. The application asks for the existing and proposed roofing materials, and warns: "If you are proposing a shingle roof to replace an existing metal roof, additional steps may be required, such as an engineers report detailing that your roof support system is capable of handling the additional loading of shingles." Fees under City Code Sec. 6-27 (rates effective 7-1-2023): "Re-roofing (per job location)" Residential $65.00, Non-residential $130.00; "Inspection of work initiated without/prior to issuance of work permit" Residential $130.00; plus "an additional levy established by 13VAC5-63-70, Section 107, Fees" and "an additional one percent technology fee".