Roof Replacement Permit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-06-18 · 2 official sources
Verified against official sources Confirmed on official pagePermit required
Quick answer
A permit is required in Philadelphia to replace a roof covering. Roof covering replacement may qualify for an EZ permit (no plans required). Properties on the Philadelphia Historic Registry do not qualify for the EZ permit process. Confirm EZ permit eligibility with L&I.
Who is pulling this permit?
Apply yourself
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?
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When a permit is usually needed
For any residential roof covering replacement
What roof replacement permit costs in Philadelphia
Flat $69 building permit fee to replace the roof covering on a one or two family dwelling, per the L&I construction fee schedule effective 1/1/2025.
How to apply in Philadelphia
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. Department of Licenses and Inspections sets the exact checklist for Philadelphia.
Where to apply in Philadelphia:
Department of Licenses and Inspections
- 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., MSB, Philadelphia, PA 19102
- Phone: (215) 255-4040
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 Philadelphia permit portal or by phone at (215) 255-4040.
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 Philadelphia
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: For any residential roof covering replacement.
- Budget the fee. Flat $69 building permit fee to replace the roof covering on a one or two family dwelling, per the L&I construction fee schedule effective 1/1/2025. 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 Philadelphia permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Department of Licenses and Inspections. Phone: (215) 255-4040. Address: 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., MSB, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
- 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 2026-06-18.
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Permitting activity in Philadelphia
In 2024, Philadelphia authorized permits for 2,962 new residential housing units (539 single-family, 2,423 in multi-family buildings), valued at $498M, down from3,863 the year before. That works out to about 1.9 permits per 1,000 residents.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual data · population 1,578,487.
About Philadelphia
Philadelphia has about 739,725 housing units. The median home is valued at $232,400, against a median household income of $60,698. About 52% of homes are owner-occupied, and the typical home was built around 1949.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 5-year.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a roof replacement permit in Philadelphia?
- A permit is required in Philadelphia to replace a roof covering. Roof covering replacement may qualify for an EZ permit (no plans required). Properties on the Philadelphia Historic Registry do not qualify for the EZ permit process. Confirm EZ permit eligibility with L&I. Always confirm with the Department of Licenses and Inspections before starting.
- How much does a roof replacement permit cost in Philadelphia?
- Flat $69 building permit fee to replace the roof covering on a one or two family dwelling, per the L&I construction fee schedule effective 1/1/2025. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in Philadelphia?
- You can apply through the Philadelphia permit portal or contact the Department of Licenses and Inspections directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a roof replacement permit themselves in Philadelphia?
- Under Pennsylvania law (34 Pa. Code 403.62(a); Act 132 of 2008 (HICPA), Section 2 (73 P.S. 517.2)): Yes. 34 Pa. Code 403.62(a) provides that 'An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a residential building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit.' The owner is a permitted applicant. The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008, 73 P.S. 517.1 et seq.) is a registration and consumer-protection law for contractors: its 'Contractor' definition covers a person 'who owns and operates a home improvement business or who undertakes, offers to undertake or agrees to perform any home improvement,' so it governs people doing home improvements for others, not homeowners doing their own work. Pennsylvania has no statewide trade licensing barring homeowner work; trade licensing, where it exists, is municipal. Confirm how Philadelphia applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Philadelphia
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | It depends | Not specified | Billed as a plumbing alteration permit at $50 for the first 7 fixtures plus $22.50 per... |
| Deck Permit | It depends | residential decks up to 216 sq ft (excluding roof decks) qualify for EZ permit without plans; larger decks require full building permit with plans | New decks fall under the accessory structure and addition bucket at $75 for the first 5... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $100 filing fee (nonrefundable); |
| EV Charger Permit | It depends | Not specified | Charged as a standard electrical permit at $25 per $1,000 of estimated cost with a $63... |
| Fence Permit | It depends | permit required if fence exceeds 6 feet tall, is masonry over 2 ft, is on Historic Registry, or is in the 100-year floodplain | Zoning permit $50-$632 by lot size; |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $100 filing fee (nonrefundable); |
| Patio Permit | It depends | concrete or other hard-surface paving on grade (driveways, walkways, patios not used for parking) is exempt; covered or elevated patio structures require a permit, and paving in flood protection areas requires one | No fee; |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | Not specified | $100 filing fee (nonrefundable); |
| Pool Permit | It depends | prefabricated swimming pools or spas less than 24 inches deep AND less than 5000 gallons do not require a permit; all larger pools require a permit | Flat $69 building permit fee for a pool or spa accessory to a one or two family dwellin... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | detached structures under 200 sq ft for one-or-two-family dwellings do not require a permit | Sheds 120 sq ft or less in the rear yard need no permit; |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat $200 building permit fee for the solar panel structure plus a separate electrical... |
| Water Heater Permit | Permit required | Not specified | Flat $31 plumbing permit fee to replace a water heater in a one or two family dwelling,... |
Official sources
- https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/apply-for-a-permit/building-and-repair-permits/get-a-building-permit/
- https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/permits-and-certificates/construction-and-repair-permits/
- https://www.yorktownny.gov/media/pril1rwn/untitled.pdf
- https://www.cavecreekaz.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6609/Inspection-re-roof
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-06-18, not confirmed with Department of Licenses and Inspections. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: 2026-06-18Report an error on this page
Compare Roof Replacement Permit requirements across Pennsylvania localities