Do I Need a Permit for a New Roof?

Permits aren't the exciting part of a new roof, but they're one of the easiest ways to tell a careful roofer from a careless one. The short version: you usually need one, your roofer should be the one getting it, and you should see it before anybody starts tearing shingles off.

Why it depends on your city

There isn't one rule for everybody. Roofing permits are set locally, by your city or county, and the requirements change as soon as you cross a city line. One town may want a permit for any roof replacement. The next may only care about certain kinds of work. Some require an inspection when the job is done. Across Greater St. Louis, Kansas City and the rest of the areas we work, that patchwork is normal.

So step one is simple: check your city's rules. Your city's building department website usually spells it out, or a phone call will.

A good roofer pulls the permit for you

You shouldn't have to stand in line at city hall to get a new roof. Pulling the permit is part of the job, and a roofer who does this every day already knows what your city wants. If a contractor tells you a permit isn't needed, or asks you to get it yourself, ask why. Sometimes it's true. Sometimes it's a sign they'd rather the city not look at their work.

Ask to see it before work starts

This is the step most homeowners skip, and it takes thirty seconds. Before the crew shows up, ask to see the permit. A roofer who pulled one will have no problem showing you. If they get vague about it, you've learned something important before any work starts, which is when you want to learn it.

What can happen if a roof goes on without one

Depending on where you live, skipping a required permit can bring fines or a stop-work order. It can also come back to bite you later, when you sell the house and a buyer's inspector asks about the roof, or when an insurance claim comes up and someone wants to know whether the work was done to code. It's a small piece of paper that saves a lot of headaches.

Permits and licensing are different things

A permit covers one job. A license covers the contractor. Missouri doesn't license roofers at the state level, though some cities have their own requirements. Illinois does license roofers. On the Missouri side especially, that means checking out the company yourself: a real local office, everything in writing, and a phone that gets answered.

How we handle it

When we quote your roof, ask us about the permit and we'll tell you exactly what your city requires. We're family-run, we've been roofing here since 1947, and our own crews do the work.

What John says in the video

Transcript: Do I need a permit for a new roof? Usually, yes. It depends on your city. One: check your city's rules. Two: a good roofer pulls the permit for you. Three: ask to see it before work starts. Ask to see it. Call me. 1-800-JOHN-BEAL.

Frequently asked questions

Who is supposed to pull the roofing permit?

In most cases, your roofer. A good roofing contractor handles the permit as part of the job. Ask about it up front and ask to see it before the crew starts.

What happens if a roof is replaced without a permit?

Depending on your city, it can mean fines, a stop-work order, or trouble later when you sell the house or file an insurance claim. It is much easier to do it right the first time.

Does every city require a roofing permit?

No. Rules are set locally, so they change from city to city and county to county. Check your city's rules, or ask your roofer, who should already know them.

Do roofers need a state license in Missouri?

Missouri does not license roofers at the state level, though some cities have their own requirements. Illinois does license roofers.

Does John Beal Roofing handle permits?

Ask us when we quote your roof, and we will walk you through what your city requires. Call 1-800-JOHN-BEAL for a free inspection.

Do I need a permit for a new roof?

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