Florida has some of the most rigorous building permit requirements in the country, and roofing is no exception. The Florida Building Code (FBC) requires permits for any roofing work that goes beyond basic maintenance, and the inspection process ensures your new roof meets the state's demanding hurricane-resistance standards. Skipping the permit doesn't just risk a fine. It creates insurance problems, resale complications, and potential code violations that can cost far more than the permit itself.
When a Permit IS Required
- Full roof replacement (tear-off and re-roof)
- Re-roofing over existing layer (overlay)
- Structural repairs (truss repair, rafter replacement, decking replacement over 32 sq ft)
- Adding or modifying roof penetrations (skylights, vents, solar panels)
- Changing roofing material type (shingle to metal, tile to shingle, etc.)
- Any work that alters the roof's structural capacity or drainage pattern
- Commercial roofing projects of any scope
When a Permit May NOT Be Required
(Varies by municipality. Always verify with your local building department.)
- Replacing fewer than 2 squares (200 sq ft) of matching shingles as maintenance
- Emergency temporary repairs (tarping after a storm, temporary patches)
- Gutter installation or replacement (some jurisdictions)
- Roof cleaning, coating, or sealing (classified as maintenance, not construction)
Pinellas County Permit Costs by Municipality
| Municipality | Building Dept | Typical Roof Permit Fee | Plan Review | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg | City of St. Pete | $250-500 | Included | 3-7 business days |
| Clearwater | City of Clearwater | $200-450 | Included | 3-5 business days |
| Largo | City of Largo | $200-400 | Included | 3-5 business days |
| Palm Harbor | Pinellas County | $250-500 | Separate | 5-10 business days |
| Dunedin | City of Dunedin | $200-400 | Included | 3-5 business days |
| Tarpon Springs | City of Tarpon Springs | $200-400 | Included | 3-7 business days |
| Safety Harbor | City of Safety Harbor | $200-400 | Included | 3-7 business days |
| Seminole | Pinellas County | $250-500 | Separate | 5-10 business days |
| Pinellas Park | City of Pinellas Park | $200-450 | Included | 3-5 business days |
| Unincorporated areas | Pinellas County | $250-500 | Separate | 5-10 business days |
The Permit Application Process
- Your contractor applies. In Florida, the licensed contractor pulls the permit, not the homeowner. The permit is issued to the contractor's license. This is your protection: it puts them on record as responsible for code compliance.
- Application submitted with: property address, property owner info, contractor license and insurance, scope of work, material specifications (manufacturer, product, FL Product Approval number), and a signed contract.
- Plan review (if required): The building department verifies the proposed materials and methods comply with the FBC. Some jurisdictions require engineered drawings for complex projects.
- Permit issued with a permit number and inspection schedule.
- Work begins. The permit card must be posted visibly at the job site.
- Inspections at required stages (see below).
- Final approval (Certificate of Completion) when all inspections pass.
Required Inspections
Inspection 1: Dry-In (After Underlayment)
- Deck condition verified (no rotted plywood, proper nailing)
- Underlayment type and installation verified
- Drip edge installation checked
- Valley and flashing details inspected
- Fastener pattern for underlayment verified
Inspection 2: Final
- Completed roof covering matches approved materials
- Fastener pattern complies with FBC (high wind zone: 6-nail pattern for shingles)
- Ridge, hip, and valley details correct
- All penetrations properly flashed and sealed
- Ventilation meets code requirements
- Debris removed, property cleaned
What Happens Without a Permit
This is where many homeowners get a painful education:
- Insurance claim denial: If your unpermitted roof is damaged in a hurricane, your insurer can deny the claim. They can argue that the unpermitted work was not code-compliant and therefore not covered. This has happened to Florida homeowners.
- Sale complications: Florida home sales require disclosure of known unpermitted work. A title search may reveal the missing permit. Buyers can walk, lenders can refuse financing, and you may need to tear off the roof and redo it with proper permits before selling.
- Fines: Pinellas County and its municipalities can assess fines for unpermitted work. Typical: 2-4x the original permit fee, plus a stop-work order until the violation is resolved.
- Warranty voided: Many manufacturer warranties require code-compliant installation. No permit means no inspection means no proof of compliance means no warranty.
- Code violation on property record: An open code violation stays on the property record until resolved. It appears on title searches indefinitely.
Product Approval Numbers
Florida requires that every roofing product used in the state have a Florida Product Approval (FPA) or Miami-Dade NOA (Notice of Acceptance). The permit application must include these numbers. Your contractor should know them. You can verify any product at theFlorida Building Commission Product Approval search page.
We Handle All Permitting
Permitting is our responsibility, not yours. We pull the permit, schedule all inspections, and ensure your project passes with full code compliance. Schedule a freeroof inspection and we'll handle everything from estimate through final inspection. Serving all of Pinellas County.