What's Required in Jacksonville
- Every reroof needs a permit; reroofs of five squares or less and $2,500 or less at single-family homes skip plan review and inspection.
- Roofing permits cost $10 per 1,000 square feet with an $80 (no inspection) or $150 (inspected) minimum.
- A $17.50 construction and demolition debris fee applies to roofing permits.
- Jobs over $5,000 need a recorded Notice of Commencement before the first inspection.
- Repairing more than 25 percent of a roof in 12 months triggers replacing the whole covering to current code, unless the roof meets the 2007 FBC exception.
- Roofing contractors must be certified or registered by the State of Florida.
- Roofing products need Florida product approval listed on the city's Product Approval Information Sheet.
- Owner-builders must be on the deed, apply in person and provide proof of homestead exemption.
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Jacksonville?
Yes. The Building Inspection Division's FAQ lists re-roofs as alterations that need a permit. Neither the city's exempt list nor the Florida Building Code's exempt list covers roofing. Small jobs are lighter, though. Under Ordinance Code 320.408(f), roofing repairs or reroofs on a single-family home that don't exceed five squares or $2,500 in total cost are permitted without plan review or inspection. The permit auto-expires once it's paid for, though the city may still do random inspections. A full tear-off and re-cover is inspected.
How much does a roof permit cost in Jacksonville?
Roofing permits are cheap and flat. Section 320.409, subsection (10), charges a $10 BID fee per 1,000 square feet of roof, or fraction of it. The minimum is $80 for a roofing permit with no inspection and $150 for one with one or more inspections. Roof repairs under 500 square feet pay $10. Every roofing permit adds a $17.50 construction and demolition debris fee.
- Full reroof of a 2,400 sq ft roof: 3 × $10 = $30, so the $150 minimum applies. $150 + $17.50 = $167.50.
- Small reroof, five squares or less and $2,500 or less (no inspection): $80 + $17.50 = $97.50.
- Repair under 500 sq ft: $10 + $17.50 = $27.50.
The roof would have to exceed 15,000 square feet before the per-1,000 rate tops the $150 minimum, so almost every house pays $167.50 for a full reroof. Florida's 1 percent and 1.5 percent building-code surcharges, with a $2 minimum each, apply to permit fees.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Full tear-off and reshingle, 2,400 sq ft | Roofing permit with inspections | $167.50 |
| Reroof of five squares or less, $2,500 or less | Roofing permit, no inspection (auto-expire) | $97.50 |
| Patch under 500 sq ft | Roofing repair permit | $27.50 |
| Reroof costing over $5,000 | Permit + recorded Notice of Commencement | Copy to BID before first inspection |
| Repairing more than 25% of a roof in 12 months | Whole roof covering to current code | Unless the roof was built to the 2007 FBC or later |
| New roof on a new addition by the owner | Covered by the addition permit | Separate permit if the house roof is also recovered |
| Hiring a roofer | Roofer pulls the permit | State-certified or registered roofing contractor |
What is the 25% roof rule in Jacksonville?
Florida Building Code, Existing Building 706.1.1 says no more than 25 percent of a roof or roof section may be repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12-month period. Go past that and the entire roof covering must be brought up to the current code. There's a statutory exception in FS 553.844(5). If the existing roof was built, repaired or replaced to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, only the portion you work on has to meet the current code. Local governments can't amend that exception.
Who can pull a roofing permit?
Most often a roofing contractor certified or registered by the State of Florida. Registered roofers must also show insurance to get a Jacksonville permit. You can reroof your own home as an owner-builder if it's your residence and not for sale or lease. You must appear in person, be on the deed and provide proof of homestead exemption. If you hire a roofer under your own permit, the roofer must pull a separate roofing permit. Roofing materials need Florida product approval, listed on the city's Product Approval Information Sheet. Inspections cover the dry-in, roofing in progress, and the final.
How to Get a Roof Replacement Permit in Jacksonville
Measure and price the job
Work out the roof area in 1,000 square foot units and the total job cost, including materials and labor, to know your fee tier and whether a Notice of Commencement applies.
Collect product approvals
Fill in the Product Approval Information Sheet with the Florida product approval numbers for the roof covering and underlayment.
Apply through JaxEPICS
Your roofer files online with the permission-to-obtain-permits form. Owner-builders apply in person at 214 N. Hogan St.
Pay, record and post
Pay the fee, record the Notice of Commencement for jobs over $5,000, and post the permit where it can be seen from the street.
Inspections
Schedule the roofing in-progress/dry-in and final inspections at (904) 255-8500 option 4 or online. Small auto-expire permits need none.