Roof Replacement Permit in Pima County, Arizona
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-06 · 1 official source
Verified against official sources Confirmed on official pageIt depends
Quick answer
Pima County's official "Do I Need a Permit?" list states re-roofing with like materials such as tile or shingles does not require a building permit, while structural roof work does. Contact Development Services at 520-724-9000 to confirm whether your specific project qualifies as like-material re-roofing.
Typical threshold: Re-roofing with like materials (tile, shingles, etc.) does not require a permit; structural roof work requires a permit.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
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Before you sign, ask the contractor:
- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
- Is your contractor license active in this locality, and under which business name?
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When a permit is usually needed
For structural roof work or when replacing roofing with different materials in unincorporated Pima County
What roof replacement permit costs in Pima County
No fee for re-roofing with like materials since no permit is required per the county's Do I Need a Permit page; structural roof work needs a permit assessed under the general Buildings valuation formula.
How Pima County compares in Arizona
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler | It depends | Re-roofing with the same type of material as the existing roof, where the replacement covering classification is equal to or greater and does not increase structural loads, is exempt provided it does not exceed two layers over an existing roof; replacing with a different material, exceeding two layers, or increasing structural load requires a building permit. |
| Gilbert | It depends | Re-roofing not requiring a structural change is exempt from permit; a re-roof that involves a structural change requires a building permit. |
| Maricopa County | It depends | re-roofing is exempt unless in a wildfire hazard zone or structural changes are involved |
| Mesa | It depends | re-roofing with identical original materials does not require a permit; structural changes or different materials require a permit |
| Peoria | It depends | Re-roofing with the same type of material as the original roofing is exempt, provided not more than two layers of asphalt shingles are applied over an existing asphalt shingle roof; other roof replacements require a permit. |
| Phoenix | It depends | re-roofing with same material as original is exempt; more than two layers of asphalt shingles over existing asphalt or structural changes require a permit |
| Pima Countythis page | It depends | Re-roofing with like materials (tile, shingles, etc.) does not require a permit; structural roof work requires a permit. |
How to apply in Pima County
A residential reroof permit application is lighter than for structural work: you state whether the scope is a full tear-off (roof replacement) or an overlay (roof recover), describe the covering material and its manufacturer instructions, and note the condition of the existing deck, since those facts determine which code path applies.
What most roof replacement permit applications include:
- State on the application whether the job is a roof replacement, which strips all existing layers down to the bare deck, or a roof recover, which leaves the old covering in place under specific conditions, since the two scopes are governed differently (IRC R908.3).
- A recover is only an option where the new covering follows the roof covering manufacturer's approved instructions or is a self-supporting system, such as standing-seam metal, that does not rely on the existing roof for support (IRC R908.3.1).
- Full tear-off must be scoped on the application instead of a recover when the existing roof is water soaked or deteriorated, is slate, clay, cement, or asbestos-cement tile, or already carries two or more layers of roof covering (IRC R908.3.1.1).
- The materials and installation methods described on the application must comply with the reroofing requirements of the roof-assemblies chapter (IRC R908.1).
- If the scope reuses existing slate, clay, or cement tile, damaged or broken pieces cannot be listed for reinstallation, and any rusted or deteriorated flashings, edgings, outlets, or vents uncovered during tear-off must be scoped for replacement (IRC R908.5).
General submittal guidance from IRC Section R908 Reroofing (text as adopted in the 2020 Residential Code of New York State, based on the 2018 IRC). Source. Pima County Development Services Department sets the exact checklist for Pima County.
Where to apply in Pima County:
Pima County Development Services Department
- 201 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701
- Phone: 520-724-9000
Inspections and closing out your permit
Most residential reroofs get two to three field inspections keyed to the scope of work: a deck or nailing check when sheathing is exposed or replaced, a final on the completed covering and flashings, and in some high-wind regions a dedicated check of mitigation measures added during tear-off.
- Where the covering is fully removed and the sheathing is exposed, replaced, or added, inspectors check the deck and its nailing before any new roofing goes down, since the structural framework must be able to carry the new covering's loads (IRC R908.2).
- An overlay is only approved where it meets one of the code's listed recover conditions, such as installation in accordance with the covering manufacturer's approved instructions (IRC R908.3.1).
- Flashings disturbed or replaced during the job are checked against the approved manufacturer's installation instructions, and metal flashing that will receive bituminous material must be primed before installation (IRC R908.6).
- A final inspection confirms the completed roof covering and its fasteners were installed as required for that material and per manufacturer instructions before the permit is closed (IRC R905).
- In some regions with strengthened wind provisions, reroofing an older single-family home also triggers inspection of supplemental deck-nailing and a secondary water barrier added during tear-off, on top of the base reroofing requirements (Florida Building Code, Residential R908.7 Mitigation).
- Reinstalled existing slate, clay, or cement tile is checked against reuse limits at inspection, and any rusted, damaged, or deteriorated flashings, edgings, outlets, or vents found during tear-off must be replaced rather than reinstalled (IRC R908.5).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Pima County permit portal or by phone at 520-724-9000.
Inspection sequence from IRC Section R908 Reroofing and Section R905 Roof Coverings (2021 International Residential Code). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Roof Replacement Permit checklist for Pima County
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: Re-roofing with like materials (tile, shingles, etc.) does not require a permit; structural roof work requires a permit. Usually needed: For structural roof work or when replacing roofing with different materials in unincorporated Pima County.
- Budget the fee. No fee for re-roofing with like materials since no permit is required per the county's Do I Need a Permit page; structural roof work needs a permit assessed under the general Buildings valuation formula. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. A residential reroof permit application is lighter than for structural work: you state whether the scope is a full tear-off (roof replacement) or an overlay (roof recover), describe the covering material and its manufacturer instructions, and note the condition of the existing deck, since those facts determine which code path applies. Start at the Pima County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Pima County Development Services Department. Phone: 520-724-9000. Address: 201 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701.
- Plan for inspections. Most residential reroofs get two to three field inspections keyed to the scope of work: a deck or nailing check when sheathing is exposed or replaced, a final on the completed covering and flashings, and in some high-wind regions a dedicated check of mitigation measures added during tear-off.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked 2026-07-06.
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Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a roof replacement permit in Pima County?
- Pima County's official "Do I Need a Permit?" list states re-roofing with like materials such as tile or shingles does not require a building permit, while structural roof work does. Contact Development Services at 520-724-9000 to confirm whether your specific project qualifies as like-material re-roofing. Re-roofing with like materials (tile, shingles, etc.) does not require a permit; structural roof work requires a permit. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a roof replacement permit cost in Pima County?
- No fee for re-roofing with like materials since no permit is required per the county's Do I Need a Permit page; structural roof work needs a permit assessed under the general Buildings valuation formula. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in Pima County?
- You can apply through the Pima County permit portal or contact the Pima County Development Services Department directly. The links are listed on this page.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Pima County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | It depends | Decks and non-structural flat work not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route do not require a permit; a deck greater than 30 inches above finished grade or floor level requires a permit. | Assessed as a building permit: base fee $69 plus 1.096% of the ICC square foot construc... |
| Electrical Permit | It depends | New electric outlet/fixture installations and photovoltaic systems or generators require a permit; wiring/devices operating under 25 volts and not exceeding 50 volt-amps, and like-for-like repair or replacement of switches, controls, overcurrent devices, fixed motors, transformers, or outlets/fixtures in the same location, do not. | Flat fee tiered by scope: minor work such as a service upgrade, reconnect, or up to fiv... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | Non-retaining walls and fences no more than 7 feet in height do not require a permit; fences taller than 7 feet require a building permit. | Fee is $0.25 per lineal foot plus the standard $69 base permit fee, per the Development... |
| HVAC Permit | It depends | New or replacement central air conditioners/furnaces, mini-split systems, and modifying or replacing duct work require a permit; portable cooling, heating, or ventilation units, and replacing an existing evaporative cooler with a like unit, do not. | Flat fee tiered by scope: minor work such as a residential air conditioner unit is $27,... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | An open, ground-level patio slab counts as non-structural flat work not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and does not require a permit; enclosing a porch or patio (adding walls, screens, or a roof enclosure) requires a permit. | No patio-specific line; |
| Plumbing Permit | It depends | New pipe work, propane tanks, septic systems, sewer connections, solar water heaters, water heater replacement, and new dishwashers require a permit; clearing stoppages or repairing leaks that do not involve replacing valves, pipes, or fixtures, fixture swaps (sinks, toilets, tubs), and grade-supported water tanks up to 5,000 gallons do not. | Flat fee tiered by scope: minor work such as a water heater or a gas, water, or drain l... |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Pre-fabricated residential pools installed entirely above ground require a building permit once they exceed 18 inches in depth and 5,000 gallons; any in-ground or custom-built residential pool or spa requires a building permit through Administrative Review regardless of size. | Not published |
| Shed Permit | It depends | One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar non-habitable accessory structures are the category Pima County's own adopted code amendments refer to as "structures exempted from permits"; the standard exemption size carried in the adopted IRC for this category is 200 sq ft with no electrical, plumbing, or mechanical connections, though Pima's own published guidance pages do not restate that figure directly. | No shed-specific line; |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Residential photovoltaic installation is treated as minor electrical work, flat fee $27... |
Roof Replacement Permit in other Arizona localities
Official sources
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-06, not confirmed with Pima County Development Services Department. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: 2026-07-06Report an error on this page
Compare Roof Replacement Permit requirements across Arizona localities