Roof Replacement Permit in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before re-roofing or replacing roofing on a one- or two-family dwelling
Issued byCity of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
A building permit is required for re-roofing a one- or two-family dwelling in Minneapolis. The city publishes a fact sheet on roofing requirements for one- and two-family dwellings available from CPED. Contact CPED at 612-673-3000 for the current requirements.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before re-roofing or replacing roofing on a one- or two-family dwelling
What a roof replacement permit costs in Minneapolis
How to apply in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, 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. City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development sets the exact checklist for Minneapolis.
Where to apply in Minneapolis:
City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development
- 505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320, Minneapolis, MN 55415
- Phone: 612-673-3000
- Email: Development@minneapolismn.gov
Roof Replacement Permit in Minneapolis compared with nearby Minnesota localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Minnesota schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | Permit required | Not specified | Billed as a standard building permit valued by cost of work, minimum $84.20 plus 65%... | |
| Saint Paul | Permit required | Not specified | A reroof is a general building permit priced on valuation under Sec. |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis: 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 Minneapolis: 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 Minneapolis: 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 Minneapolis: 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 Minneapolis: 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 Minneapolis: 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 Minneapolis permit portal or by phone at 612-673-3000.
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 Minneapolis
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before re-roofing or replacing roofing on a one- or two-family dwelling.
- Budget the fee. Billed as a standard building permit valued by cost of work, minimum $84.20 plus 65% plan review and 0.05% state surcharge; repairs under one bundle of shingles need no permit, per the city roofing handout and building fee schedule. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development. Phone: 612-673-3000. Address: 505 Fourth Ave. S., Room 320, Minneapolis, MN 55415.
- Plan for inspections. In Minneapolis, 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 .
Permitting activity in Minneapolis
In 2024, Minneapolis authorized permits for 452 new residential housing units (65 single-family, 387 in multi-family buildings), valued at $151M, down from 1,528 the year before. That works out to about 1 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 433,111.
About Minneapolis
Minneapolis has about 203,217 housing units. The median home is valued at $345,600, against a median household income of $80,269. About 48% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1950.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a roof replacement permit in Minneapolis?
- A building permit is required for re-roofing a one- or two-family dwelling in Minneapolis. The city publishes a fact sheet on roofing requirements for one- and two-family dwellings available from CPED. Contact CPED at 612-673-3000 for the current requirements. Always confirm with the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development before starting.
- How much does a roof replacement permit cost in Minneapolis?
- Billed as a standard building permit valued by cost of work, minimum $84.20 plus 65% plan review and 0.05% state surcharge; repairs under one bundle of shingles need no permit, per the city roofing handout and building fee schedule. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in Minneapolis?
- You can apply through the Minneapolis permit portal or contact the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a roof replacement permit themselves in Minneapolis?
- Under Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. 326B.805, subd. 6, clause (3)): Minnesota requires a license to work as a residential building contractor, remodeler, or roofer, but it exempts an owner who builds or improves their own residential real estate if the owner occupies it, or will occupy it, for residential purposes, or keeps it as a rental once the work is done. That exemption lets a homeowner act as their own contractor and pull permits without holding a contractor's license. The exemption does not apply to an owner building or improving property for resale or speculation, and the law presumes speculation if the owner builds or improves more than one property within any 24-month period, unless each property is retained for rental. This is a licensing exemption only; it does not remove the separate requirement to obtain a building permit for the work itself. Confirm how Minneapolis applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Minneapolis
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 | freestanding decks less than 30 in above grade that are not attached with frost footings and do not serve the main entrance are exempt; all other decks require a permit | Billed as a standard building permit valued by cost of work once the deck exceeds 30... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No city fee |
| Fence Permit | It depends | fences no more than 7 feet high are exempt from a permit; fences over 7 feet require a building permit | No fee for fences 7 feet or under since no permit is required |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Existing residential mechanical fee is tiered by scope: Level 1 misc HVAC work with no... |
| Patio Permit | It depends | freestanding platforms less than 30 in above grade that are not attached with frost footings and do not serve the main entrance are exempt; others may require a permit | No permit fee |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Minimum plumbing permit fee is $85.20 including the $1 state surcharge, with per-item... |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | Not specified | No separate pool schedule |
| Shed Permit | It depends | one-story tool and storage sheds under 200 sq ft are exempt from a permit; sheds 200 sq ft or larger or more than one story require a permit | One-story sheds under 200 sq ft need no permit or fee |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | The building permit portion uses the valuation-based schedule, minimum $84.20 plus 65%... |
Roof Replacement Permit in other Minnesota localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Minneapolis documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this roof replacement permit page for Minneapolis was verified. 2 official sources: minneapolismn.gov, minneapolismn.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Roof Replacement Permit requirements across Minnesota localities
Permit office
City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development
612-673-3000Permit portal