What's Required in Houston
- A permit is required for a re-roof or roofing overlay on a residence (HPC Residential Roofing Permit)
- File the Residential Re-Roof Only Worksheet (CE-1109) or Roofing Overlay Only Form (CE-1104) with the building permit application
- Roof covering repairs of 100 sq ft aggregate or less, and same-material fascia/trim/soffit repairs up to 128 sq ft, are exempt
- Plan review is required (10 business days); inspection required with the permit and worksheet on site
- Fee: fee-schedule base ($91.06 minimum) + $33.56 admin + 25% plan review
- No GC license in Houston; owner, agent or contractor may purchase the permit; Declaration signed by the owner
- Texas energy code applies to remodels and repairs, including insulation
- Permit valid 6 months; renewal not required
Do You Need a Permit to Replace a Roof in Houston?
Yes. Houston Public Works' Residential Roofing Permit page states that a permit is required for a re-roof or roofing overlay for a residence structure, with a Residential Re-Roof Only Worksheet (form CE-1109) or a Roofing Overlay Only Form (CE-1104) filed with the building permit application, a required plan review of 10 business days, a required inspection, and a permit that stays valid for six months. The only roofing work that needs no permit is minor: the Residential Permitting 101 guide exempts roof covering repair that does not exceed an aggregate of 100 square feet, alongside fascia, trim and soffit repair using the same material up to 128 square feet. Houston has no zoning, but it does enforce the state energy code, and the Top 10 sheet flags that remodels and repairs must conform to it.
Houston Roof Permit Rules by Scenario
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Patching or replacing roof covering, 100 sq ft or less in total | None | Residential Permitting 101, minor repair exemption (4) |
| Tear-off and re-roof of the whole roof | Residential roofing permit with Re-Roof Worksheet (CE-1109), 10-day plan review | HPC Residential Roofing Permit (HPWCODE 1140) |
| Overlay: new shingles over the existing layer | Residential roofing permit with Roofing Overlay Only Form (CE-1104) | HPC Residential Roofing Permit (HPWCODE 1140) |
| Replacing roof decking, rafters or purlins | Repair permit with a Repair Spec list, or remodel permit for reframing | Residential Permitting 101, repairs |
| Fascia, trim and soffit repair, same material, up to 128 sq ft | None | Residential Permitting 101, minor repair exemption (3) |
| Adding attic insulation or radiant barrier while reroofing | Must meet the state energy code; reviewed with the permit | Top 10 sheet item 8 |
| Storm-damage re-roof after a declared event | Same permit; the city has run expedited processing after storms | Houston Public Works storm notices |
How Much Does a Roof Permit Cost in Houston?
The Residential Roofing Permit page lists the $33.56 administrative fee and refers to the City of Houston fee schedule for the base fee. The 2026 Building Code Enforcement schedule has no separate re-roof line, so the governing figures are its $91.06 minimum permit fee, the admin fee, and the non-refundable plan review fee of 25 percent of the permit fee that the schedule applies to plans submitted for a building permit. On that basis a straightforward re-roof runs about $91.06 plus $22.77 plan review plus $33.56 admin, roughly $147; a re-roof priced higher by the reviewer, for example a large or decking-level job on the residential square-footage table, can reach a few hundred dollars. The roofer's price is separate, and Houston does not license general contractors, so the permit may be purchased by the owner, agent or contractor.
Who Files and What They Submit
Everything is electronic through iPermits: the building permit application, the signed Declaration in Support of Application (validated against Harris County Appraisal District ownership records), and the re-roof worksheet or overlay form. Plan review takes 10 business days. The permit and worksheet must be on site during the inspection, which is completed the next business day after it is requested. Because no general contractor license exists in Houston, a homeowner may pull the roofing permit directly; if you hire a roofer, the Declaration still has to be signed by the owner.
Energy Code and Deed Restrictions
Texas' energy code applies to remodels and repairs, and the Top 10 sheet lists insulation among the items it governs, so a re-roof that exposes the attic insulation may need to bring it to current values. Houston also enforces subdivision deed restrictions, which sometimes dictate roofing materials or colors; the city advises confirming them with the Harris County Clerk before the work starts.
How to Get a Roof Replacement Permit in Houston
Size the job
100 sq ft or less of covering repair: no permit. Any re-roof or overlay: permit.
Pick the form
Re-Roof Only Worksheet (CE-1109) for a tear-off, Roofing Overlay Only Form (CE-1104) for shingles over shingles.
Apply in iPermits
Building permit application, the worksheet or form, and the Declaration in Support signed by the owner. Owner, agent or contractor may apply.
Pay and wait for review
Base fee per the schedule ($91.06 minimum) plus $33.56 admin and 25 percent plan review; review takes 10 business days.
Inspect
Keep the permit and worksheet on site; inspections are completed the next business day after the request.