Roofing Requirements

Updated October 20, 2011

In order to serve the citizens of the City of Littleton and roofing contractors, the following summarizes the most frequently asked questions regarding roof requirements by the City of Littleton Building Department.

The City of Littleton requires a permit for all new roofing and roofing repairs over 100 square feet of roofing material.

A mid-roof inspection is required after the roof covering is removed and the underlayment is installed. Call the inspection line (303-795-3738) the day before to schedule. If the roof cannot be accessed with a single 9’ ladder, one is required to be provided.

CODE REQUIREMENTS

The 2009 Edition of The International Residential Code Chapter 9, the 2009 Edition of The International Building Code Chapter 15 and amendments to the International Codes apply to roof applications in the City of Littleton.

R905.2.7.1 Ice Dam Protection
Ice barrier shall be used on the eave edge for all new roof tear offs. The ice barrier shall extend 24 inches from the exterior wall.

R903.2.2 Drip Edge Metal
Provide drip edge metal at eaves and gable ends. Eave and gable drip edge metal shall extend a minimum of 2 inches onto the roof surface and 1½ inches over the exposed decking edge.

R806.2 Roof Ventilation
The total net free area shall not be less than 1 square foot of roof vents per 150 square feet of roof area.

Nail down mineral surfaced roll roofing is NOT allowed for any roofing application in The City of Littleton. Mineral surfaced roll roofing shall be attached per manufacture’s installation instructions in an adhered- or torch-down installation.

R905.8.6 Shake Shingles
Minimum #1 grade required.

R905.2 Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles shall comply with ASTM D 225 or ASTM D3462 or ASTM D 3161 or ASTM D 7158 for wind resistance.

Minimum roof pitch of 2 units vertical to 12 units horizontal.

Roof slopes 2 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) to 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (4:12), double underlayment is required. Underlayment shall conform to ASTM D 226 Type I, commonly known as No. 15 asphalt felt.

Installation as per manufacture’s high wind application is required.

Mansard or high-slope application shingles are required to be fastened per manufacture’s installation instructions.

R907.3 Re-roofing
New roof covering shall not be installed without first removing existing roof coverings.

Flashing Requirements
Most neoprene plumbing vent flashings will have to be replaced due to deformities caused by exposure to the elements.

Rusted and/or damaged flashing, attic vents, furnace to fireplace vents are required to be replaced.

Flashing used for open valleys shall be a minimum 24-inches wide, 26-gage galvanized steel.

Flashing and counter flashings are required where the roof meets a vertical surface. Counter flashing may be omitted if the top edge of the wall flashing is covered with an approved exterior siding material.

R905.2.1 Sheathing Requirements
Asphalt shingles shall be fastened to solidly sheathed decks. Solid sheathing is required with consistent gaps in the spaced decking 1/4 inch or greater.