What's Required in Philadelphia
- Building permit required to replace a roof covering; repairs related to regular maintenance are exempt on non-historic properties
- EZ permit (no plans) for new coverings on existing roofs: $69 flat for 1-2 family homes plus $3 city and $4.50 state surcharges; $76 first 4,000 sq ft for other occupancies
- Replacing more than 10% of roof sheathing, adding skylights or penetrations, or raising the design gravity load more than 5% requires a full building permit with plans
- Complete manufacturer's installation instructions submitted with the application; roof certification by a licensed contractor available at final inspection
- All existing layers removed when the roof is deteriorated, is shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile, or already has two or more coverings
- Asphalt shingles only on slopes of 2:12 or steeper with drip edge; built-up roofs need at least 1/4:12 slope; coverings Class B minimum (Class C on Type IIB, IIIB, VB)
- Any altered roof insulation must meet the 2021 IECC at R-49 or greater; cool-roof compliance is shown with CRRC-rated reflectance and emittance values
- Historic Registry buildings need Philadelphia Historical Commission approval before an EZ reroof permit
Do You Need a Permit to Replace a Roof in Philadelphia?
Yes. Replacing the roof covering is on L&I's list of EZ permits, which means a building permit is required but no plans are, and the fee summary prices "roof covering (replacement only)" on its own line. What does not need a permit is ordinary maintenance: L&I's building-permit page exempts repairs related to regular maintenance, so patching a leak or replacing a few shingles is permit-free. The EZ Re-Roofing standard (PB_012, revised July 2026 for the 2021 IRC and IBC) draws the other boundary. It covers new roof coverings on existing roofs, but not if you plan to replace more than 10% of the roof sheathing, add a skylight or other penetration, or increase the roof's design gravity load by more than 5% with ballast or relocated equipment. Those jobs need a full building permit with plans. Historic buildings need Historical Commission approval before an EZ reroof.
Philadelphia Roof Permit Rules by Scenario
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Patching a leak, replacing a few shingles, resealing flashing | None | Building permit page: repairs related to regular maintenance |
| Full shingle or flat-roof covering replacement on a rowhouse, sheathing sound | EZ roof covering permit, $69 + $7.50 | EZ Re-Roofing standard; fee summary |
| Same job on a building that is not a 1-2 family home | EZ permit, $76 first 4,000 sq ft + $3.80/100 sq ft | Fee summary, roof covering, other occupancies |
| Replacing more than 10% of the sheathing | Building permit with plans (alteration fee) | EZ standard conditions; fee summary alterations |
| Adding a skylight or other roof penetration | Building permit with plans | EZ standard: penetrations excluded |
| Roof on a Philadelphia Historic Registry building | Historical Commission approval before the EZ permit | EZ standard conditions |
| Contractor-filed EZ reroof with license, insurance and taxes current | Permit may issue immediately in eCLIPSE | EZ permits page |
How Much Does a Roof Permit Cost in Philadelphia?
For a one- or two-family home the roof covering permit is a $69 flat fee. Every permit also carries the $3 city and $4.50 state surcharges, so the EZ reroof costs $76.50; the $25 filing fee is non-refundable and applied to that balance. Other occupancies pay $76 for the first 4,000 square feet plus $3.80 per additional 100 square feet. If the job falls outside the EZ standard, L&I prices it as an alteration: $76 for the first 500 square feet plus $56 per additional 100 square feet. A 1,000-square-foot rowhouse roof with heavy sheathing replacement would be $76 + 5 x $56 = $356, or $363.50 with surcharges, and the applicant may instead ask for a fee of 2% of construction cost with a $253 minimum. L&I's July 2026 fee summary takes effect October 1, 2026 and keeps the same roofing rows as the schedule in force since January 2025.
What the EZ Re-Roofing Standard Requires
The standard is short and specific. Complete manufacturer's installation instructions go in with the application. All existing layers must come off when the existing roof is water-damaged or deteriorated, is wood shake, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile, or already carries two or more coverings. Asphalt shingles are allowed only on slopes of 2:12 or steeper, with drip edge at eaves and gables; built-up roofs need at least a quarter-inch-per-foot slope. Coverings must be Class B minimum (Class C on Type IIB, IIIB and VB construction). Any change to roof insulation must meet the 2021 IECC at R-49 or greater, and Philadelphia's cool-roof ordinance, updated in 2026, now measures compliance with Cool Roof Rating Council reflectance and emittance values. Rusted or damaged vent flashings, metal edgings and drain collars may not be reinstalled. If damaged sheathing turns up during tear-off, the inspector must be notified.
Who Files and How Long It Takes
The EZ standard requires a roof certification by a licensed contractor stating the work was completed per the manufacturer's specifications, available at final inspection, so the practical answer is that a roofer does the job. L&I's contractor rule still lets an owner who resides in an existing one- or two-family home, or a registered PA Home Improvement Contractor with a Commercial Activity License, hold the permit. L&I's processing sheet lists roof covering permits at 5 business days, and the EZ permits page says a roof covering permit filed by a contractor with a current license, insurance and tax account may be issued immediately. Request the final inspection through eCLIPSE or (215) 255-4040.
How to Get a Roof Replacement Permit in Philadelphia
Decide whether it is a repair or a replacement
Patching and minor shingle replacement need no permit. A new covering does, and more than 10% sheathing replacement or a skylight means plans.
Check the Historic Registry
Look the address up on Atlas; a listed building needs Historical Commission approval, arranged through preservation@phila.gov, before the EZ permit.
File the EZ roof permit in eCLIPSE
Upload the manufacturer's installation instructions and the signed standard, pay the $25 filing fee, and name the contractor. Contractor-filed applications may issue immediately.
Pay the balance
On approval pay the $69 fee plus $7.50 in surcharges for a one- or two-family home; other buildings pay $76 for the first 4,000 sq ft.
Tear off, install and call for final inspection
Notify the inspector if damaged sheathing appears during tear-off, keep the roof certification ready, and request the final inspection through eCLIPSE or (215) 255-4040.