Do I Need a Permit to Install a Metal Roof?

Metal Roofing

• Metal roofing is exceptionally durable. In fact, many well-maintained copper and steel roofs have lasted a century or more. Metal is versatile because it is available in long, vertical panels that can be installed on shallow-pitched roofs. Different textures and colors allow metal to mimic more expensive materials such as slate and clay tile. Depending on the product and the type of installation, metal roofs can look old-fashioned or modern.

Permits

• Whether you're using metal or another material, a new roof installation requires a building permit if your city, county or town requires it. In some locations, it is the responsibility of the contractor to secure the permit. In others, it's the responsibility of the homeowner to get it. There is usually a building permit fee that can be either a flat fee or a fee based on a percentage of the project's value.

Code

• You or your contractor also will have to ensure that your metal roof meets local building code requirements. Factors affected by code include roof pitch, the use of hazardous materials -- lead solder, for instance -- and the kind of substrate required.

Homeowners Associations

• If you live in an historic district or in a neighborhood with a homeowners association (HOA), you may be limited in roofing choices. In an historic neighborhood, for instance, you may not be allowed to install a pre-formed red or green metal roof in place of a more traditional standing seam copper roof. Many HOAs require roofs to be replaced in kind in both material and color. In fact, HOAs and local preservation officials are good sources of information when beginning a roofing project.