Florida / Hillsborough County

Roof Replacement Permit in Hillsborough County, Florida

By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-06 · 2 official sources

Verified against official sources Confirmed on official page

It depends

Quick answer

A re-roofing permit is generally required in Hillsborough County when more than 25 percent of the total roof area is replaced or recovered within a 12-month period, and effective 2026-07-01, F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63) separately requires the county to exempt work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and properties in flood hazard areas, and roofing is not named in the statute, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; a project may not be split to stay under the threshold; confirm details with the local building department. Both a progress check and a final inspection are required for permitted work. If the existing roof predates the 2007 Florida Building Code and over 25 percent is replaced, the entire roof section must conform to current code. Applies to unincorporated Hillsborough County.

Typical threshold: permit required when more than 25 percent of total roof area is replaced or recovered in a 12-month period; separately, under F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63, effective 2026-07-01), work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling qualifies for exemption upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and any property in a flood hazard area; the statute does not name roofing, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; confirm with Hillsborough County Development Services.

Who is pulling this permit?

Apply yourself

Apply on the Hillsborough County permit portal

Hire it out

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?
Want a pro to handle this permit? Request free help

Tell us where your project stands. Free to ask; no obligation.

Where we have a vetted local pro who handles permits in Hillsborough County, we connect you; otherwise we reply with the exact steps and office links for your situation. PermitNotebook is not a government agency and does not file permits. This is a free referral request; we may earn a fee if you hire a pro we introduce. Partners never influence our permit data. Privacy policy.

When a permit is usually needed

Before replacing more than 25 percent of any residential roof

What roof replacement permit costs in Hillsborough County

Residential Roofing trade permit fee is $250 flat, inspection-only single-trade permit with no plan review, full fee due at submission, per Building Permit Fee Schedule effective October 5, 2024.

Official fee schedule

How Hillsborough County compares in Florida

JurisdictionPermit needed?Threshold
Broward CountyIt dependsunder F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63, effective 2026-07-01), work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling qualifies for exemption upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and any property in a flood hazard area; the statute does not name roofing, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; confirm with Broward County Building Code Division.
Hillsborough Countythis pageIt dependspermit required when more than 25 percent of total roof area is replaced or recovered in a 12-month period; separately, under F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63, effective 2026-07-01), work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling qualifies for exemption upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and any property in a flood hazard area; the statute does not name roofing, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; confirm with Hillsborough County Development Services.
Lee CountyIt dependsUnder s. 553.79(1)(g) F.S., effective 2026-07-01, the county must exempt work on a single-family dwelling valued at less than $7,500 upon written request, but the exemption does not apply to structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas work or to property in a flood hazard area.
Miami-Dade CountyIt dependsunder F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63, effective 2026-07-01), work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling qualifies for exemption upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and any property in a flood hazard area; the statute does not name roofing, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; confirm with Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. Much of Miami-Dade County lies in flood hazard areas where this exemption does not apply.
Orange CountyIt dependsunder F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63, effective 2026-07-01), work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling qualifies for exemption upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and any property in a flood hazard area; the statute does not name roofing, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; confirm with Orange County Division of Building Safety.
Palm Beach CountyIt dependsNon-structural roof work (e.g. roof covering only, not sheathing or framing) valued under $7,500 on a single-family home outside a special flood hazard area may qualify for a written permit-exemption request under F.S. 553.79(1)(g); electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work are excluded regardless of value; structural roof work or any project at or above $7,500 requires a standard Type 1 Building Permit ('Reroofing') with dry-in and final inspections.
Pasco CountyIt dependsUnder F.S. 553.79(1)(g) effective 2026-07-01, work valued at less than $7,500 on a single family dwelling that is not structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or gas work is exempt outside flood hazard areas after a written exemption request with documentation; Pasco separately exempts roof repairs of 1.5 squares or less and liquid roof coatings.

How to apply in Hillsborough 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. Hillsborough County Development Services sets the exact checklist for Hillsborough County.

Where to apply in Hillsborough County:

Hillsborough County Development Services

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.

  1. 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).
  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).
  3. 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).
  4. 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).
  5. 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).
  6. 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 Hillsborough County permit portal or by phone at (813) 272-5600.

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.

Permitting activity in Hillsborough County

In 2024, Hillsborough County authorized permits for 9,053 new residential housing units (4,402 single-family, 4,651 in multi-family buildings), valued at $2.2B, down from12,716 the year before. That works out to about 5.7 permits per 1,000 residents.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 1,581,426.

About Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County has about 618,220 housing units. The median home is valued at $333,300, against a median household income of $75,011. About 61% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1990.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a roof replacement permit in Hillsborough County?
A re-roofing permit is generally required in Hillsborough County when more than 25 percent of the total roof area is replaced or recovered within a 12-month period, and effective 2026-07-01, F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63) separately requires the county to exempt work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and properties in flood hazard areas, and roofing is not named in the statute, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; a project may not be split to stay under the threshold; confirm details with the local building department. Both a progress check and a final inspection are required for permitted work. If the existing roof predates the 2007 Florida Building Code and over 25 percent is replaced, the entire roof section must conform to current code. Applies to unincorporated Hillsborough County. Permit required when more than 25 percent of total roof area is replaced or recovered in a 12-month period; separately, under F.S. 553.79(1)(g) (HB 803, ch. 2026-63, effective 2026-07-01), work valued at less than $7,500 on a single-family dwelling qualifies for exemption upon a written exemption request with documentation of the nature and value of the work; the exemption excludes electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical, and gas work and any property in a flood hazard area; the statute does not name roofing, so a non-structural reroof under that value can qualify; confirm with Hillsborough County Development Services. Always confirm with the office before starting.
How much does a roof replacement permit cost in Hillsborough County?
Residential Roofing trade permit fee is $250 flat, inspection-only single-trade permit with no plan review, full fee due at submission, per Building Permit Fee Schedule effective October 5, 2024. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in Hillsborough County?
You can apply through the Hillsborough County permit portal or contact the Hillsborough County Development Services directly. The links are listed on this page.

From the Library

What else needs a permit in Hillsborough County

Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.

ProjectPermit needed?ThresholdTypical fee
Deck PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedResidential Misc Projects permit fee is $380 flat, covers decks, sheds, carports and po...
Electrical PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedResidential Electrical (General) trade permit fee is $130 flat for inspection-only work...
Fence PermitIt dependsPVC wood and chain-link fences are exempt; electrical or concrete fences require a permitNo fence line item in the fee schedule;
HVAC PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedResidential Mechanical (General) and HVAC Equal Change Outs trade permit fee is $130 fl...
Patio PermitIt dependsopen concrete slabs may be exempt; screen enclosures and covered patios require a permitNot published
Plumbing PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedResidential Plumbing (General) trade permit fee is $130 flat, inspection-only with no p...
Pool PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedResidential in-ground Pool/Spa permit fee is $475 flat, or $150 flat for an above groun...
Shed PermitIt dependssheds under 150 sq ft are exempt; 150 sq ft or larger require a building permitResidential Misc Projects fee of $380 flat covers sheds and includes a $50 application...
Solar PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedResidential Photovoltaic trade permit fee is $250 flat, inspection-only with no plan re...

Roof Replacement Permit in other Florida localities

Official sources

Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-06, not confirmed with Hillsborough County Development Services. 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 Florida localities