Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Royal Oak?

Royal Oak permit fee and who applies

A permit is very likely. The Michigan Residential Code requires any owner, or the owner's authorized agent, to get a permit before altering or repairing a building. Only ordinary repairs are exempt, and re-roofing isn't on the code's list of work exempt from a permit. Guthix Roofing and iSwitch Roofs, both Metro Detroit roofers, say on their websites that the city requires a building permit for a roof replacement (checked October 6, 2026). The city's own pages don't spell out re-roofing, so confirm with the Building Division before work starts.

The city's fee schedule effective July 1, 2026 sets the residential building permit fee at 1% of construction value, with a $100 minimum, where the value is computed from the International Code Council's square-foot construction costs. Ask how the department values a re-roof. A roofer usually applies as the owner's agent, so ask whether the permit is in the estimate.

Can new shingles go over the old ones in Michigan?

Michigan's residential code calls a layer over the old roof a re-cover. It allows one only in limited cases, and a full replacement takes every layer off down to the deck.

Michigan's re-cover and reroofing rules

From the 2015 Michigan Residential Code, which LARA lists as the current residential code. Checked October 5, 2026. A re-cover still has to meet the rest of chapter 9 (R908.1), including the ice barrier.

A re-cover also hides the deck: soft or rotten boards can't be found or replaced under the new layer. The roof squares and cost calculator shows what a second layer adds to a tear-off.

Ice barrier rules on a Michigan re-roof

On houses, the code requires an ice barrier from the lowest edge of every roof surface to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line, and at least 36 inches along the slope on roofs of 8/12 or steeper. Detached garages and sheds without conditioned floor area are exempt. When the old roof comes off, an ice barrier membrane adhered to the deck may stay in place, covered with a new layer of ice barrier.

What inspection to expect

Royal Oak doesn't publish its re-roof inspection steps online. Ask which inspections the department wants when the permit is issued. Under the code, the permit holder calls for each inspection, and work can't go past an inspection point, or be covered, until it's approved. Inspections can be requested through the city's BS&A portal or by phone.

Historic districts

Royal Oak's Historic District Commission reviews all plans for the construction, alteration or repair of resources in a historic district. If your home is in one, contact the commission through the city before the roofing is ordered.

This checker covers the common cases. The City of Royal Oak Building Division has the final say.

Common questions