Do I need a permit to replace my roof in the North Bay?

Who issues the permit for my address?

Who issues a North Bay reroof permit depends on whether your parcel is inside a city or town or in an unincorporated area. Each county handles its own unincorporated areas; each city runs its own building department.

What does the permit cost?

Unincorporated Marin publishes a $510 base fee for re-roofing only, and unincorporated Napa County charges a $56 issuance fee plus valuation-based fees on the contract amount (plus a 7.5% General Plan surcharge). Sonoma County and the cities set their own fees.

Who applies for it, me or the roofer?

Usually the licensed roofer pulls the permit and includes the fee in the bid. Ask for the permit number before work starts, and keep the finaled permit with your house records.

What inspections should I expect?

Most jurisdictions inspect once the old roofing is off or during the work, and again at the end. Ask your roofer which inspections your city requires and make sure the final is signed off.

Do energy and fire rules apply to my reroof?

Possibly both. California's Energy Code has cool-roof requirements for some steep-slope reroofs that replace more than half the roof, depending on climate zone (California Energy Commission, BayREN guide). Much of the North Bay is outside the climate zones where the Energy Code's steep-slope cool-roof rule applies, but zones are set by location, so ask your roofer to confirm for your address. In a very high fire hazard severity zone, state law requires a Class A roof when more than half the roof is replaced; see our Class A guide.

Why does the permit matter later?

A finaled permit is proof of the roof's age and that it passed inspection, which insurers and buyers often ask for. It also helps when you need to show an insurer when the roof was replaced.