Do I need a roofing permit in Citrus Heights? The 10% repair rule, the fee basis and three inspections

The Citrus Heights rule

The City's re-roofing policy, CHB1812 (Rev. 03/26, read 23 October 2026), says "Re-roofing permits must be obtained prior to starting the work" and that the permit must show the existing and proposed material, the manufacturer's specifications, any added skylights or dormers, equipment relocations, "if it is to be a tear off or an overlay", and whether the roof is truss or conventionally framed. The roof must be at least Class C fire rated.

The City's own example in CHB1817: a 2,000 square foot roof is 20 squares, so "A maximum of 2 squares (200 sq. ft.) can be repaired without a permit." The CHB0600 list (Rev. 09/26) adds further conditions to the repair exemption; read it if your repair is near the limit.

Cool roof: the City's cool roof worksheet applies "when more than 50% of a roof is replaced". For a steep roof in Climate Zone 12 it sets a minimum aged solar reflectance of 0.20 and thermal emittance of 0.75 (or SRI 16), with alternatives such as R-38 ceiling insulation, an attic radiant barrier, or no ducts in the attic. The worksheet cites the 2022 Energy Code and the City's FAQ says it now uses the 2025 codes, so confirm the current values with your roofer.

Who can pull it

A C-39 roofing contractor with a Citrus Heights business license, or the owner as owner-builder. A B general contractor cannot get a roofing-only permit: CHB1804 says a B contractor needs a C-39 license, a C-39 subcontractor, or "at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry" on the job, and must submit the signed contract. The CSLB check is in the Citrus Heights contractor license lookup.

What it costs

From CHB1812: "The re-roofing permit fee is based on the Building Permit Valuation, which is the contract value for the roofing work being performed." Skylights, dormers, equipment and structural work are added on top.

So a 20-square roof is valued at no less than $5,000 by the City's formula (our arithmetic). The usual filed value in our file was $16,560. If the stated value looks low for the scope, the City asks for the signed contract.

Inspections

CHB1812 requires three: a pre-inspection before starting (ponding, equipment relocations needing other permits, sheathing and framing, fire blocking, attic ventilation; core samples for built-up roofs), a roof nail inspection before the sheathing is covered, and a final. Requests must be in "PRIOR TO 4:00 PM THE BUSINESS DAY PRIOR", online or at (916) 727-4750; an adult must be on site and the roof safely reachable, or "No inspections will be conducted". The City's FAQ describes the same job as a roof deck inspection and a final, so ask which your permit card lists. Moving solar panels, a gas line or the electric service for the re-roof may need its own permit.

How to apply

1. Create an account on the City's customer portal.
2. Enter the valuation and the number of squares, the existing and new material, and tear-off or overlay.
3. Book the pre-inspection before the old roof comes off.

What 1,850 Citrus Heights roofing permits show

A Citrus Heights re-roof usually finals in 21 days, so one still open months later is behind. Finishing varies a lot by firm: among 45 roofers with 10 or more permits, the 10th-percentile firm finalled 75.6% and 3 finalled under 70%. Prices are on Citrus Heights roofing cost; monthly counts on Citrus Heights permit statistics.

See every Citrus Heights roofer by permits finalled →

Before you hire

Compare firms on the Citrus Heights roofer list. Other cities' rules are in do I need a permit for roof replacement; national prices in roof replacement cost; what to ask in hiring a roofer. Past permits: Citrus Heights building permit search.

What this does not tell you

Filed values are the roofer's figure, and the City's formula can raise the value it charges on. A permit closed without a final date counts against the firm in our file; it is usually an expired permit, but not always.