Overview
A building permit is required to re-roof all structures within the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, except for maintenance or to seal leaks, or structures less than 120 sq. ft. Procedures to implement this requirement are outlined below: The applicant for a permit to re-roof a building shall specify the type of new roof covering material, the Class of this material. (Class B or greater is required), the existing roofing material and whether replacement or overlay will be used. Any alterations to the existing roof sheathing or framing shall also be described. Replacement or alteration of structural elements of the roof other than roof sheathing, are not covered by the re-roof EZ permit.
When a built-up roof is proposed, the applicant shall provide documentation to demonstrate that the proposed assembly has a rating as required for the type of occupancy being re-roofed, and in no case less than Class B.
The building permit fee shall be based at the current building inspection hourly rate for all residential structures and all other structures not more than 5000 square feet of roof area, additional charges will apply at the current building inspection hourly rate for all structures other than those described above. If a plan review is required, the plan review fee shall be 65% of the building permit fee.
Inspections
Re-roofing inspections shall be as follows, unless otherwise authorized or required by the building inspector:
- A. PRE-ROOFING OR TEAR-OFF INSPECTION: To be performed after the removal of old roofing material, and before any sheathing is covered, or in the case of an overlay, before any roof covering is installed. The inspector shall check the structural integrity of the existing roof construction. If the new roofing is to be overlaid on the existing material, the inspector shall verify that the application will not exceed the limitations specified in the CBC Section 1510.
- B. SHEATHING INSPECTION: To be performed after new sheathing is installed but before it is covered up by roofing material.
- C. RE-ROOF CERTIFICATE: The reroof certificate may be presented at an in-progress roofing inspection and can be used in lieu of the separate TEAR OFF and SHEATHING inspections. For details on its use and application, see form PLG-262.
- D. FINAL ROOFING INSPECTION: The inspector shall verify that the material is installed in accordance with the applicable code provisions and the terms of the listing. The inspector shall verify that the roof covering is a minimum Class B material. Other items checked at this time shall include fasteners, flashings, vents and drains.
Inspection requests may be made online at Schedule a Building Inspection . The building inspector will call the contact number provided, the morning of the inspection between 8 - 9 am to give a 2-hour window of time that the inspector will arrive.
The person doing the work shall be responsible for providing safe access to the roof for the inspector. Safe access shall generally mean meeting OSHA requirements. If ladders, scaffolding, or other means of access are unsafe or unavailable, the inspection will not be performed and approval to continue the installation of roofing will not be given.
The inspector may require that safe access be provided to the attic area if necessary to inspect the structural integrity of the roof.
When a roof covering is replaced in kind, the existing roof is not required to meet present codes. However, it must be structurally sound and capable of performing adequately. When existing roof covering is overlaid with new material, or when roofing is replaced with a heavier material, the roof shall meet present code requirements for the new loads. The inspector may require a permit to be revised and plans or a load analysis to be prepared and submitted for review if the existing roof construction appears to be inadequate for the intended load or in a deteriorated condition.
If the existing ventilation is inadequate, the inspector shall so inform the applicant and corrective measures shall be made. If deterioration due to inadequate ventilation is observed, the deficiencies related to ventilation must be corrected. A separate or supplemental permit may be required.