Do I need a permit for a roof replacement in Detroit, MI?

Short answer: Yes, a permit is required for a roof replacement in Detroit, MI.

Last verified: 2026-10-19 · Confidence: high · Status: Verified from official source

Not legal advice. Always confirm with your local building department. Rules change, and your parcel's zoning, HOA, historic district, floodplain or utility work can change the answer. We show the official source and the date we last checked it so you can verify for yourself.

Permit required Confidence: high

Yes. A roof replacement or removing a substantial amount of shingles needs a permit. Replacing a few shingles does not.

What changes the answer

A few shingles: no permit

Cost

Fee not extracted; see the BSEED fee schedule. Unverified, confirm locally

Fee source: https://detroitmi.gov/departments/buildings-safety-engineering-and-environmental-department-bseed/building-permits

Where to apply

City of Detroit BSEED (Accela online portal or Development Resource Center)

Permitting authority: City of Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED). Local historic districts need a permit for all exterior work. Based on BSEED's "Do I Need a Building or Trade Permit?" guide. See also: how to apply for a building permit.

Official sources

“Roof replacement/ removal of a substantial amount of shingles”

Source: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2025-12/Do%20I%20NEED%20A%20PERMIT_0.pdf

“Replacing a few shingles (any roof-work that could be done in a matter of minutes)”

Source: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2025-12/Do%20I%20NEED%20A%20PERMIT_0.pdf

Verified: 2026-10-19 · Status: verified · Confidence: high

See something wrong or out of date? Report a correction (anonymous, no email needed).

Other projects in Detroit

Roof replacement permits in other cities

Compare roof replacement permit rules in all 48 cities · All Michigan cities