Who issues the permit for my address?
A reroof permit comes from your city, or from the county if the parcel is unincorporated. Fees and steps differ widely across the Bay Area; the published figures below are the ones we have verified. For a deeper walk-through of one region, use that area's guide.
| Where the home is | How the permit works | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Marin County | Self-service maintenance permit on the County's online portal | $510 base fee for re-roofing only, before other charges | Marin County fees |
| San Francisco | Online on PermitSF, only for licensed C-39 contractors and only when no plans or structural work are needed; otherwise an over-the-counter building permit | $514 and up for single-family homes and duplexes, $714 and up for other buildings; includes the street-space fee | SF.gov: apply for a reroofing permit |
| San Jose | Online Re-Roof permit at SJPermits.org; plan review only if required | $105 permit issuance plus $236 for up to 2 inspections, plus $157 per half hour for each extra inspection (schedule effective Aug 10, 2026) | San Jose fee schedule, SJPermits.org |
| Oakland | Self-certified Re-Roofing Certificate requested through the Online Permit Center; valid 180 days, one structure | Set by the city | Oakland re-roofing certificates |
| Other cities and unincorporated areas | Each city or county building department issues reroof permits | Set by each jurisdiction | Your city or county building department |
Which area guide should I use?
This site is the Bay Area-wide starting point. For local housing stock, weather and permit rules, use the guide for your area:
- Marin Roof Replacement — Marin County only, including West Marin, the Ross Valley and the 101 corridor
- SF Roof Replacement — San Francisco and San Mateo County
- East Bay Roof Replacement — Alameda and Contra Costa counties
- South Bay Roof Replacement — Santa Clara County, from Palo Alto to San Jose
- North Bay Roof Replacement — Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties (this hub does not itself cover Sonoma or Napa)
What does the permit cost?
Published examples: unincorporated Marin County charges a $510 base fee for re-roofing only; San Francisco starts at $514 for single-family homes and duplexes ($714 and up for other buildings), including the street-space fee; San Jose charges $105 to issue a residential re-roof permit plus $236 for up to two inspections (schedule effective August 10, 2026). Other cities set their own fees.
Who applies for it, me or the roofer?
Usually the licensed roofer pulls the permit and includes the fee in the bid. Ask for the permit number before work starts, and keep the finaled permit with your house records.
What inspections should I expect?
Most jurisdictions inspect once the old roofing is off or during the work, and again at the end. Ask your roofer which inspections your city requires and make sure the final is signed off.
Do energy and fire rules apply to my reroof?
Possibly both. California's Energy Code has cool-roof requirements for some steep-slope reroofs that replace more than half the roof, depending on climate zone (California Energy Commission, BayREN guide). Whether the Energy Code's steep-slope cool-roof rule applies depends on climate zone and how much of the roof is being replaced, not on a single Bay Area-wide rule. San Jose falls in a zone where it applies to qualifying reroofs; much of Marin may not. San Francisco's reroofing permit also asks about cool roofs for certain commercial jobs. Ask your roofer to confirm the zone and the product's rated reflectance for your address. In a very high fire hazard severity zone, state law requires a Class A roof when more than half the roof is replaced; see our Class A guide.
Why does the permit matter later?
A finaled permit is proof of the roof's age and that it passed inspection, which insurers and buyers often ask for. It also helps when you need to show an insurer when the roof was replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in the Bay Area?
Yes, in practice. Your city's building department, or the county for unincorporated areas, issues reroof permits in Marin, San Francisco, the Peninsula, the East Bay and the South Bay to San Jose. Your roofer usually applies.
How much is a reroof permit in the Bay Area?
It depends on the jurisdiction. Unincorporated Marin publishes a $510 base fee for re-roofing only; San Francisco starts at $514 for single-family homes and duplexes; San Jose charges $105 to issue plus $236 for up to two inspections. Other cities set their own fees.
Who pulls the permit?
Usually the licensed roofing contractor, who includes the fee in the bid. Ask for the permit number before work starts.
Why keep the permit records?
A finaled permit proves when the roof was replaced and that it passed inspection, which insurers and buyers often ask about.
Sources
- Marin County: permit fees
- Marin County: online permits
- SF.gov: apply for a reroofing permit
- City of San José: building fee schedule
- SJPermits.org
- Oakland: re-roofing certificates
- California Energy Commission: 2022 cool roofs, single-family
- BayREN: residential roofing and the Energy Code
- California Health and Safety Code 13132.7
Sources reviewed November 11, 2026. Figures are published estimates and official fees, not quotes. Confirm prices, permits and requirements with your contractor and building department. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice.