Short answer: in most Minnesota cities, yes. Almost every city in the Twin Cities metro requires a building permit to replace (re-roof) a house, and the permit has to be pulled by a Minnesota-licensed contractor or by you as the homeowner. Permits exist so an inspector can confirm the roof was built to the Minnesota Residential Code, including the ice barrier at the eaves that protects your home from ice dams.
Why the answer depends on your city
The Minnesota State Building Code sets the rules for how roofs are built, but according to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), the code is only enforced by a city that has adopted it by local ordinance. In practice, nearly every metro city has, so a permit is the norm. Here are a few examples from city websites:
- Blaine: building permits are required for all roofing projects, applied for online, and a state license is required.
- Roseville: a permit is required for all residential shingled roofs, and the final inspection requires photos of the installed ice and water barrier.
- New Brighton: a permit is required to re-roof an existing home, with inspections during the project.
- Bloomington: a permit is required to re-roof a home, and repairs larger than 10 feet by 10 feet also need one.
- Minneapolis: a permit is required for all re-roofing except very small repairs.
If you live somewhere else, search your city’s name plus “roofing permit” or call its building department. A reputable contractor will already know the local rules.
Can I put new shingles over my old roof?
Sometimes, but there’s a hard limit. The 2020 Minnesota Residential Code (section R908.3.1.1) does not allow a new layer over a roof that already has two or more layers of roofing. It also doesn’t allow a recover over a water-soaked or deteriorated roof, or over slate or tile. That means two layers is the maximum, and some cities, like New Brighton, spell out when a full tear-off is required.
Even when a second layer is allowed, a tear-off is usually the better choice. It lets the crew inspect and replace damaged decking, and it’s the only way to install a proper ice barrier directly on the roof deck.
The ice barrier rule every Minnesota roof must follow
Minnesota requires an ice barrier on new roofs. Under the 2020 Minnesota Residential Code (R905.1.2), the barrier must run from the lowest edge of the roof to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line, and on steep roofs (8:12 pitch or steeper) it must also extend at least 36 inches up the slope from the eave. It’s one of the main things a roofing inspector checks, and it’s a big reason permits matter in a state with our winters.
Who pulls the permit, you or the roofer?
Normally the contractor pulls it. Minnesota law requires residential roofers to be licensed with the DLI, and cities like Blaine, Maple Grove and Roseville require the contractor to show a state license to get a permit. If a roofer asks you to pull the permit in your own name, ask why. Homeowners can pull their own permits, but it usually means the homeowner takes on responsibility for the work passing inspection.
What happens if a roof is replaced without a permit?
Skipping the permit can create problems later: a city can require corrections, an unpermitted roof can raise questions when you sell your home, and there’s no inspector confirming the ice barrier and flashing were installed correctly. For a project that protects the most expensive thing you own, the permit is worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to repair part of my roof in Minnesota?
It depends on the city and the size of the repair. Many cities exempt small repairs; Bloomington, for example, requires a permit for repairs larger than 10 by 10 feet. Check with your city’s building department.
How many layers of shingles are allowed in Minnesota?
Two at most. The 2020 Minnesota Residential Code does not allow a new layer over a roof that already has two or more layers.
Does Ascension Roofing & Siding pull the permit?
Yes. We pull the permit, schedule the inspections and build every roof to the Minnesota Residential Code. Our Minnesota license number is BC753558.
Planning a roof replacement? Call (763) 333-7663 or schedule a free, no-pressure inspection.
