Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Oklahoma City?
It depends on the project. Oklahoma City exempts some roof replacements from a building permit and requires one for the rest1; the exemption's limit is 500 square feet, with the conditions in the city's wording below.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
Oklahoma City's rule“As of August 1, 2025, the re-roofing of an existing one-and two-family dwelling or duplex will require a re-roofing permit where the scope of work exceeds 500 square feet in area.”1
City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development Center, FAQs: I am getting a new roof do I need a permit?
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing permit | Re-roof over 500 sq ft on existing 1-2 family dwelling/duplex | Only when the area of repair or replacement exceeds 500sf.2 |
| Building permit | Replacing structural members (rafters, ridge beams) | Yes, the replacement of any structural elements below the decking will require a separate residential building permit.2 |
Limits and conditions in Oklahoma City's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Roof area that can be replaced without a permit | 500 square feet | Only when the area of repair or replacement exceeds 500sf.2 |
| Buildings this rule covers | Single-family dwellings and duplexes only | Only single-family dwellings and duplexes require a permit to re-roof.2 |
What to submit
- Online application at www.okc.gov/access2
- State roofing contractor license/registration number (if contractor)2
- Photos of existing roof, decking/flashing stage, and finished roof uploaded before inspection2
- Only one layer of shingles permitted2
Who can apply
- Re-roofing permits issued only to contractors licensed in the State of Oklahoma (no separate City roofer registration)1
- City does not register/license roofers; State license required2
Roof permit fees in Oklahoma City
Fee lines as Oklahoma City's schedule states them. A minimum or base fee is not the whole price when the line says the fee grows with project value.
| Fee | Type | As the schedule states it |
|---|---|---|
| Re-roofing permit submittal payment | Flat fee | $94.502 |
All of Oklahoma City's fee lines are on the Oklahoma City permit page.
Inspections
Review time
Varies between days and weeks depending on workload3. This is the department's published figure, not a guarantee.
Special areas and extra reviews
- Design district / historic preservation area: certificate of appropriateness; contact Planning 405-297-16242
Who to ask
Development Services Department, Development Center6
Building permits
- Phone
- (405) 297-25251
- [email protected]1
- Address
- 420 W Main St, 1st Floor, Oklahoma City, OK 731021
- Hours
- Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.5
- Inspections
- Online (Access portal), IVR (405) 316-5656, or SelecTXT text message1
Roof permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Oklahoma City with 19 other cities on the national roof replacement permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- Development CenterCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Re-Roofing Permit RequirementsCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterRevised July 28, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Online Building Permit Submittal StandardsCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- Fence Permit Submittal RequirementsCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026
- About Us (Development Center)City of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 6, 2026
- Property Owner Insurance Exemption CertificateCity of Oklahoma City, Development Services Department, Development CenterChecked November 7, 2026