Roof planning guide
Michigan Roof Permit Decision Guide
Roof work can range from surface-covering replacement to structural deck, framing, ventilation, or trade work. Use this sequence to describe the real scope and reach the enforcing agency that can give the current answer for the property.
Scope-first decision path
Ask these questions in order.
Who enforces the code?
Use Michigan LARA’s regularly updated jurisdiction information or your municipality’s building department to identify the correct enforcing agency for the address.
Michigan building-permit information ↗Is this only covering replacement?
Tell the agency whether the contract is a tear-off and new covering only, an overlay, or includes sheathing, framing, rafters, trusses, chimneys, skylights, ventilation, gutters, or electrical work.
Does the scope expose damage?
Ask how concealed decking or structural repairs should be documented, approved, priced, and inspected if discovered after tear-off.
What must happen before covering?
Confirm whether an application, contractor documentation, product information, tear-off or deck inspection, and final inspection are required—and who schedules each step.
Call-ready scope
Read this description to the permit desk.
“I’m planning work at [address]. The bid includes [tear-off/overlay], [roofing material], approximately [roof area], [number] existing layers, and [known decking/framing/skylight/chimney/ventilation/gutter/electrical work]. Does this scope require a permit or application? What documents, contractor credentials, inspections, fees, and closeout records apply?”
Verified municipal starting points
Open the official page for your community.
These links identify the municipal starting point; they do not claim that every roof replacement requires the same permit or inspection sequence.
Next step