California / San Bernardino County
Roof Replacement Permit in San Bernardino County, California
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before starting any re-roofing work on a house, garage or accessory structure in the unincorporated county.
Issued bySan Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building and Safety Division
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
San Bernardino County requires a ReRoof permit before any re-roofing activity, and "Re-roofing" appears on the county's published list of items requiring a permit with no size or square-footage threshold. The review and inspection process includes verification of the number of existing roof-covering layers. The county states that re-roofing over slate, clay, cement or asbestos tile, or over a water-soaked or deteriorated roof, cannot be handled as a re-roof application. Re-roofs are one of only three work types the county allows to be closed out with a photo-based self-inspection.
Who is pulling this permit?
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When a permit is usually needed
Before starting any re-roofing work on a house, garage or accessory structure in the unincorporated county.
What a roof replacement permit costs in San Bernardino County
How San Bernardino County compares in California
No California jurisdiction we have verified sets a size threshold for this permit, so what actually differs between them is the fee.
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County | It depends | ...on the Schedule A building permit fee table, which begins '$140.00... |
| Contra Costa County | Permit required | ...item 14, "Re-Roofs - Residential": Building Permit / Inspection $150.00... |
| Fresno County | Permit required | Single family residential: $201.47 per structure for FY 2026-27 |
| Los Angeles | Permit required | Valuation-based building permit per LAMC 91.113 Table 1-A |
| Los Angeles County | Permit required | ...is priced from the valuation-based Table 1-A Building Permit Fees ($65.36... |
| Orange County | Permit required | Reroof: $342 for FY 2024-25, $362 for FY 2025-26, $370 for FY 2026-27 |
| San Bernardino Countythis page | Permit required | ..."Re-roofs: A) Residential (with detached or attached garage)" is $234.00... |
How to apply in San Bernardino County
In San Bernardino 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).
- For San Bernardino County, 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).
- For San Bernardino County, 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. San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building and Safety Division sets the exact checklist for San Bernardino County.
Where to apply in San Bernardino County:
San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building and Safety Division
- County Government Center, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., First Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415
- Phone: 909-387-8311
Roof Replacement Permit in San Bernardino County compared with nearby California localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each California schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino County | Permit required | Any size | ...1, 2026: "Re-roofs: A) Residential (with detached or attached garage)" is $234.00... | |
| Alameda County | It depends | Aggregate roof area repaired on a previously permitted roof, at which the building permit exemption stops | ...valuation on the Schedule A building permit fee table, which begins '$140.00... | |
| Contra Costa County | Permit required | Any size | ...Schedule item 14, "Re-Roofs - Residential": Building Permit / Inspection $150.00... | |
| Fresno County | Permit required | Any size | Single family residential: $201.47 per structure for FY 2026-27 | |
| Los Angeles | Permit required | Any size | Valuation-based building permit per LAMC 91.113 Table 1-A |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In San Bernardino County, 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.
- In San Bernardino County: 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).
- In San Bernardino County: 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).
- In San Bernardino County: 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).
- In San Bernardino County: 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 San Bernardino County: 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).
- In San Bernardino County: 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 San Bernardino County permit portal or by phone at 909-387-8311.
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 San Bernardino County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before starting any re-roofing work on a house, garage or accessory structure in the unincorporated county.
- Budget the fee. County Code 16.0204(h)(8) sets a flat re-roof fee effective July 1, 2026: "Re-roofs: A) Residential (with detached or attached garage)" is $234.00 ($241.00 from July 1, 2027, $248.00 from July 1, 2028). "B) Accessory Structures" is also $234.00 and "C) All others" is $312.00. A $57.00 intake processing fee under 16.0204(h)(1) is applied to each permit. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In San Bernardino 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. Start at the San Bernardino County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building and Safety Division. Phone: 909-387-8311. Address: County Government Center, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., First Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415.
- Plan for inspections. In San Bernardino County, 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 .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a roof replacement permit in San Bernardino County?
- San Bernardino County requires a ReRoof permit before any re-roofing activity, and "Re-roofing" appears on the county's published list of items requiring a permit with no size or square-footage threshold. The review and inspection process includes verification of the number of existing roof-covering layers. The county states that re-roofing over slate, clay, cement or asbestos tile, or over a water-soaked or deteriorated roof, cannot be handled as a re-roof application. Re-roofs are one of only three work types the county allows to be closed out with a photo-based self-inspection. Always confirm with the San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building and Safety Division before starting.
- How much does a roof replacement permit cost in San Bernardino County?
- County Code 16.0204(h)(8) sets a flat re-roof fee effective July 1, 2026: "Re-roofs: A) Residential (with detached or attached garage)" is $234.00 ($241.00 from July 1, 2027, $248.00 from July 1, 2028). "B) Accessory Structures" is also $234.00 and "C) All others" is $312.00. A $57.00 intake processing fee under 16.0204(h)(1) is applied to each permit. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in San Bernardino County?
- You can apply through the San Bernardino County permit portal or contact the San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building and Safety Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a roof replacement permit themselves in San Bernardino County?
- Under California law (Business & Professions Code 7044(a)-(b); Business & Professions Code 7031.5): California exempts an owner from contractor licensing under section 7044 when they personally perform all the work on their own property, or any work they do not perform themselves is done by their own employees paid only wages, and none of the improvements are intended or offered for sale. It also exempts an owner who directly contracts with licensed contractors for each trade, as long as no more than four of the single-family residential structures involved are intended or offered for sale in a calendar year; this route does not apply if the owner instead contracts with a general contractor for the construction. A homeowner may also improve their own principal residence without a license, as long as the work is done before any sale, they have actually resided there for the 12 months before completion, and they have not used this exemption on more than two structures more than once in any three-year period. Selling a self-built structure within one year of completion creates a rebuttable presumption that it was built for sale, which defeats the exemption, and selling five or more structures within a year makes that presumption conclusive. Separately, every city or county that requires a permit must also require the applicant to file a signed statement giving their contractor license number or the basis of their claimed exemption; a false or missing statement carries a civil penalty of up to $500. Confirm how San Bernardino County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in San Bernardino 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 | floor area of a detached residential accessory structure | ...Deck, Carport, Patio Cover": for Construction Type VA/VB the base cost is $691 at... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...fees effective July 1, 2026: "Meter change out and upgrades only" $195.00, "New... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | height of a fence or block wall | ...flat fee: "Chain link, wood and/or wrought iron fencing: A) Residential" is $117.00... |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...residential mechanical fees effective July 1, 2026: "HVAC change out only" $156.00... |
| Patio Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...Deck, Carport, Patio Cover": for Construction Type VA/VB the base cost is $691 at... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Any size | ..."Fixture or traps including water drainage piping and backflow protection": $156.00... |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...July 1, 2026 for "Swimming pools accessory to single-family dwellings": $647.00... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | floor area of a detached residential accessory structure | ...is "U Accessory-Barn or Shed": for Construction Type VA/VB the base cost is $3,091... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Any size | ...systems for single family residential - roof mount system": plan review $215.00... |
Roof Replacement Permit in other California localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not San Bernardino County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this roof replacement permit page for San Bernardino County was verified. 2 official sources: lus.sbcounty.gov, wp.sbcounty.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, Building and Safety Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Roof Replacement Permit requirements across California localities