Often not, if the new roof is the same material as the old one. The City of Scottsdale says re-roofing with the same roofing material does not need a permit. Its re-roofing guide adds that a permit is required if any roof sheathing or structural framing is repaired or replaced. Rules change, so we check with the city for your address and job.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Scottsdale?
You do not need a permit in Scottsdale to re-roof with the same roofing material, according to the city's home improvement guidance. You do need one if roof sheathing or framing is repaired or replaced. Changing material, for example from shingles to tile, should be cleared with the city first, because tile is heavy and the city's guide asks for proof the framing can carry it. The office is Planning and Development Services, at the One Stop Shop.
Nearby cities set their own rules. Phoenix, for example, lists re-roofing with the same type of material as exempt from a permit, with no more than two layers of asphalt shingles.
Do I need a permit for a roof repair?
A permit for a roof repair is generally not needed for small like-for-like work, such as replacing broken tiles, resealing a penetration or patching a flat roof. Once the repair includes replacing sheathing or fixing framing, Scottsdale's guide calls for a permit. If we open a roof and find damaged wood, we tell you and sort out the permit before that part goes ahead.
Who pulls the permit: me or the roofer?
The roofer normally pulls the permit, and we handle permits when a job needs one. Scottsdale lets either the homeowner or a licensed contractor obtain a re-roof permit, and its guide says the property owner is ultimately responsible for making sure one is issued. Be wary of a contractor who asks you to pull it in your own name, since that can mean they are not licensed.
How many layers of shingles are allowed?
Two layers in total. Scottsdale's re-roofing guide allows one new layer of asphalt shingles over one existing layer. If the roof already has two, everything comes off. The same guide says built-up flat roofs generally must be removed, not covered over. We prefer a full tear-off in most cases, because it lets us see the deck.
Is ice and water shield or special underlayment required in Scottsdale?
Ice and water shield at the eaves is a cold-climate rule, and it does not apply to the Valley. The building code asks for an ice barrier only where there is a history of ice forming along the eaves. Underlayment itself is always required under shingles and tile. For tile in the desert, the type and number of layers matter a great deal, and many roofers use a self-adhered sheet in valleys and around penetrations by choice. Scottsdale inspects flashing and underlayment on permitted re-roofs.
Does my HOA have a say in my roof?
Yes, in most planned neighbourhoods. Many Scottsdale HOA rules control tile profile and colour, visible roof materials, and the colour of a flat roof coating if it can be seen. Approval from the association is separate from any city permit, and you usually need it in writing before work starts. Send us the rules and we will quote materials that fit them.
Can my HOA stop a metal roof or a different colour, and who has the final say: the HOA or the city?
Neither has the final say alone. You need both. The city decides whether the work meets the building code, and the HOA decides whether it meets the recorded rules you agreed to when you bought. So an HOA can refuse a metal roof or a colour the city would allow, and a city permit does not override that. A roofer who says the HOA rules do not matter is wrong, and you would be the one fined. Get the approval in writing first. For a dispute with an association, ask an attorney.
Is the roof inspected after the job?
On a permitted re-roof, yes. Scottsdale's guide lists three inspections: the roof sheathing, the flashing and underlayment, and a final inspection. When no permit is needed there is no city inspection, so the photos matter more. Ask your roofer for pictures of the deck, the underlayment and the flashing before they are covered. We walk the finished job with you.
Do roofers need a licence in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona requires most contractors, roofers included, to hold a licence from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, known as the ROC. State law has a narrow handyman exemption for minor jobs under $1,000 in labor and materials that need no permit, and a roof replacement is far beyond that. You can look up any contractor's licence and complaint record on the ROC website, roc.az.gov. The Scottsdale Roofing Company is licensed and insured.
What happens if my roofer did not pull a permit?
If your roofer did not pull a permit that the job needed, the problem lands on you as the owner. Scottsdale's guide says the property owner is ultimately responsible. A like-for-like re-roof here needs none, so first check whether yours did. It did if sheathing or framing was replaced or the material changed. If so, call Planning and Development Services and ask how to permit the work after the fact. That can mean fees and opening areas for inspection. Unpermitted work can also come up when you sell. A licensed contractor who skipped a required permit can be reported to the Registrar of Contractors.
Will the city make me bring the roof deck up to code?
New work has to meet the code in force today, so anything replaced is brought up to code. In Scottsdale, replacing sheathing triggers a permit and a sheathing inspection, and the new wood, its nailing and the underlayment and flashing over it are checked. What the city requires for old parts you are not touching depends on the job, so we ask for your address. If an insurer is paying, check whether your policy includes ordinance or law coverage, which is the part that pays for code upgrades.
The roof failed inspection over something not in the contract, such as drip edge. Who pays?
Start with the contract. A roofer who takes on a permitted job is expected to know what the code requires, so an item the inspector calls for, such as drip edge, is normally the roofer's to put right. The harder case is a contract that listed the item as excluded or reused at your request. Then the cost is usually yours. Ask the roofer for the inspector's written correction notice and settle the price of any extra in writing before it is done. If you cannot agree, the Registrar of Contractors handles workmanship complaints against licensed contractors.
A free roof inspection with photos and a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your roof. Call or text (480) 442-0926.