RE-ROOFING:

General

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Electronic Permit System (e-Permit system) allows for the issuance of a permit to re-roof a building using one of the following roof covering materials:

  1. Asphalt/Fiberglass Composition Shingles, or
  2. Built-up Roofing

Each package of roofing material shall bear the label of an approved agency having a service for the inspection of material and finished products during manufacture. Each material must be installed per the manufacturer's instructions to achieve a fire retardancy rating of Class A, B, or C per Uniform Building Code Standard 15-2 (based on standards of the Underwriters Laboratories Inc.). When re-roofing a building that is located within a "FBZ", "MFD", or "VHFH" fire district, the portion of the roof covering which is re-roofed shall comply as an approved Class A roof covering. Re-roofing over existing wood shakes or wood shingles is not allowed and they must be removed prior to the installation of the new roofing material. Other approved Class A, B, or C roof coverings or approved non-rated roof coverings can be installed but the required building permit must be issued at a LADBS Construction Services Center.

If 50 percent or more of the total roof area is re-roofed within a one-year period, the entire roof must comply as an approved Class A, B, or C roof covering or approved non-rated roof covering. Per section 1504.1 of the Los Angeles Building Code (LABC), wood shake or shingle roof coverings are not approved within the City of Los Angeles. Therefore, if a building has a wood shake or shingle roof covering and 50 percent or more of the total roof area is re-roofed, then the entire roof shall be replaced by an approved Class A, B, or C roof covering or approved non-rated roof covering.

If less than 50 percent of the total roof area is re-roofed within a one-year period, then that portion of the roof covering which is re-roofed shall comply as an approved Class A, B, or C roof covering or approved non-rated roof covering. Therefore, if a building has a wood shake or shingle roof covering and less than 50 percent of the total roof area is re-roofed, then the portion of the roof covering which is re-roofed shall comply as an approved Class A, B, or C roof covering or approved non-rated roof covering.

Re-roofing with the materials permitted by the e-Permit system shall be done over solid sheathing. If the roof consists of spaced sheathing, the existing roof covering must be removed and ½" minimum CDX or OSB sheathing must be installed using 8d common nails at 6"-6"-12" o.c. or equivalent. Existing layers of roof covering may remain when inspection or other evidence reveals all of the following:

  1. The roof structure is sufficient to sustain the weight of the additional dead load of the new roofing (see each roofing material below for the maximum number of layers).
  2. The roof sheathing is solid and structurally sound.
  3. Roof drains and drainage are sufficient to prevent the accumulation of water.
  4. The existing roofing is securely attached to the sheathing.
  5. Existing insulation is not water soaked.
  6. Fire-retardant requirements are maintained.

Missing, rusted, or damaged flashing and counterflashing, vent, caps, and metal edging shall be installed or replaced with new materials.

Asphalt/Fiberglass Composition Shingles

Composition shingles shall be installed and fastened according to the manufacturer's instructions and Table 15-B-1 of the LABC. Composition shingles shall be installed over solid sheathing or over a maximum of 2 existing layers of composition shingles that were installed over solid sheathing. Composition shingles may be installed over other types of existing roofing materials as permitted by Table A-15-A of the LABC. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for special wind regions if the building is located within a "High Wind Area" (HWA).

Built-up Roofing

Built-up roofing shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and Tables 15-E through 15-G of the LABC. Built-up roofing shall be installed over solid sheathing or over a maximum of 1 existing layer of built-up roofing that was installed over a solid sheathing. Built-up roofing may be installed over other types of existing roofing materials as permitted by Table A-15-A of the LABC. When existing built-up roofs remain, vent flashing, metal edging, drain outlets, metal counterflashing and collars shall be removed and cleaned. All metal allowed to be reinstalled shall be primed prior to re-roofing installation. Collars and flanges shall be flashed per the roofing manufacturer's instructions.

Inspection Requirements

In most cases where an existing solid sheathing can be easily verified, only one inspection is required when the re-roof installation is complete. For those cases when existing solid sheathing cannot be easily verified or where a new solid sheathing is installed, two inspections are required. The first inspection is required to verify the existing solid sheathing or the nailing of the new solid sheathing prior to the placement of any roofing material or underlayment. The second inspection is required when the re-roof installation is complete. For re-roofing permits issued using the LADBS e-Permit system, the inspector will provide the required inspection signature card at the first (or only) inspection. To reach your inspector to verify inspection requirements for your project, call the LADBS Customer Call Center at 311 for calls originating inside of Los Angeles County. For calls originating outside of Los Angeles County, call (213) 482-0000.

Inspection Requests

You can schedule an inspection by using our Automated Inspection Request System (AIRS) which is available anytime (except between 2am and 3am) or by contacting our Customer Call Center (CCC) during our regular business hours (7am to 5pm). Both are available if you dial 311 for calls originating inside of Los Angeles County. For calls originating outside of Los Angeles County, call (213) 482-0000. To reach AIRS select option 1, to reach CCC select option 2. When calling for an inspection you will need to know the permit number, the site address, the date and type of inspection needed, and the name and phone number of the person to receive a confirmation call on the morning of the inspection. Inspections are available for the next business day until 3pm on the previous business day using AIRS and until 2pm on the previous business day using CCC. An AIRS Sequence Chart is helpful when scheduling an inspection request using AIRS.

For a sheathing inspection, use the "305 - Rough Frame" AIRS inspection code. When the re-roof installation is complete, use the "335 - Final" AIRS inspection code. When using AIRS to schedule an inspection request, it is recommended that you write down your inspection request confirmation number for future reference. This confirmation number can be obtained by pressing the "1" key in step 10 as shown on the AIRS Sequence Chart.