Florida / Lee County

Roof Replacement Permit in Lee County, Florida

By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-19 · 5 official sources

Verified against official sources Confirmed on official page

It depends

Quick answer

Lee County requires a Roof permit to replace, repair, or re-cover a roof on an existing structure, and tile roofing requires engineering approval when placed on a structure that did not previously have tile. Houses built before 1995 with a value of $300,000 or more may have additional requirements. HB 803 (chapter 2026-63), effective July 1, 2026, added s. 553.79(1)(g) F.S., which requires local exemption of work on a single-family dwelling valued at less than $7,500 upon written request outside flood hazard areas; the statute excludes structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work, does not name roof covering work, and Lee County guidance does not yet reflect it.

Typical threshold: Under 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.

Who is pulling this permit?

Apply yourself

Apply on the Lee County permit portal

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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

Replacing, repairing, or re-covering a roof

What roof replacement permit costs in Lee County

Fee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per application plus an operational support fee; roofing plan review $25 initial, structural inspection $100, roofing fees assessed per structure.

Official fee schedule

How Lee 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.
Lee Countythis pageIt 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.
Pinellas CountyIt dependsnon-structural roof work (e.g. roof covering only, not sheathing or framing) with a total project value under $7,500 on a single-family home outside a flood hazard area may qualify for a written permit-exemption approval from the County Building Official instead of a standard permit; structural roof work, any work on a flood-zone property, or any project at or above $7,500 requires a standard roofing permit

Closest roof replacement permit thresholds outside Florida

Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Lee County's 7500 USD.

  • Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, no permit for like-for-like roof covering replacement costing $40,000 or less on a single-family home; a permit is required above that cost, for structural changes, or when the roof classification changes

How to apply in Lee 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. Lee County Community Development, Building and Permitting Services sets the exact checklist for Lee County.

Where to apply in Lee County:

Lee County Community Development, Building and Permitting 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 Lee County permit portal or by phone at 239-533-8329.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a roof replacement permit in Lee County?
Lee County requires a Roof permit to replace, repair, or re-cover a roof on an existing structure, and tile roofing requires engineering approval when placed on a structure that did not previously have tile. Houses built before 1995 with a value of $300,000 or more may have additional requirements. HB 803 (chapter 2026-63), effective July 1, 2026, added s. 553.79(1)(g) F.S., which requires local exemption of work on a single-family dwelling valued at less than $7,500 upon written request outside flood hazard areas; the statute excludes structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas work, does not name roof covering work, and Lee County guidance does not yet reflect it. Under 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. Always confirm with the office before starting.
How much does a roof replacement permit cost in Lee County?
Fee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per application plus an operational support fee; roofing plan review $25 initial, structural inspection $100, roofing fees assessed per structure. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in Lee County?
You can apply through the Lee County permit portal or contact the Lee County Community Development, Building and Permitting Services directly. The links are listed on this page.

From the Library

What else needs a permit in Lee County

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

ProjectPermit needed?ThresholdTypical fee
Deck PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedFee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per appli...
Electrical PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedFee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per appli...
Fence PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedFee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per appli...
HVAC PermitPermit requiredPortable HVAC equipment and replacement of any part that does not alter the equipment's approval or make it unsafe are exempt per Florida Building Code section 105.2.Fee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per appli...
Patio PermitIt dependsA permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, or repair a structure, including structural slabs, unenclosed structures, porches, and screen, glass, or vinyl rooms; the county refers residents to Florida Building Code 105.2 and Land Development Code 6-117 for work not requiring a permit.Fee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per appli...
Plumbing PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedFee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per appli...
Pool PermitIt dependsAll in-ground pool construction or renovation requires a permit; an above-ground pool requires a permit when its water depth is 24 inches or more.Fee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per appli...
Shed PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedFee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per appli...
Solar PermitPermit requiredNot specifiedFee schedule effective 2026-04-15: $50 application fee and $35 technology fee per appli...

Roof Replacement Permit in other Florida localities

Official sources

Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-19, not confirmed with Lee County Community Development, Building and Permitting Services. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.

Last checked: 2026-07-19Report an error on this page

Compare Roof Replacement Permit requirements across Florida localities