Do I need a permit for roof replacement or repair in Highland Park?
Yes. In Illinois, roof replacement or repair generally requires a permit, and Highland Park is no exception.
Highland Park requires a building permit for residential re-roofing, and the City has a specific Roofing requirements sheet that calls for a Roof Completion Letter from the contractor. Confirm the current submittal checklist with the Highland Park Building Division before you start. Roofing contractors must hold a State of Illinois roofing contractor license (IDFPR) and be registered with the City with a bond on file per the City's Bond Language Requirement. A homeowner acting as their own general contractor must sign the Homeowner as General Contractor agreement. As of new permit applications submitted on or after March 1, 2026, work must comply with the 2024 International Residential Code and the 2024 International Building Code as adopted and amended in Title XVII. Landmark or historic district properties may need additional review, so check before ordering materials. Most Illinois jurisdictions require a permit for roof replacement even when the new material is a similar weight, while like-for-like repairs of small areas may be exempt. Many local codes limit the number of roof covering layers and require an ice barrier and underlayment. Which residential code edition sets those details is decided by your municipality or county, because Illinois has no statewide residential code governing work on an existing home.
Documents you may need
- Building permit application filed through the City's Civic Access self-service portalrequired
- Illinois state roofing contractor license plus City of Highland Park contractor license and bond on filerequired
- Roof Completion Letter from the roofing contractor as described in the City's Roofing submittal requirementsrequired
- Contractor license and insurance informationLikely required
- Roofing product/spec sheet (material and weight)Sometimes required
- Scope of work describing tear-off and re-coverrequired
Possible inspections
- Final roof inspection by the Highland Park Building Division (nail-base or tear-off inspection may also apply)
- Sheathing/nailing inspection (when decking is exposed)
- Final inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for roof replacement or repair in Highland Park?
- Yes. In Illinois, roof replacement or repair generally requires a permit, and Highland Park is no exception. Highland Park requires a building permit for residential re-roofing, and the City has a specific Roofing requirements sheet that calls for a Roof Completion Letter from the contractor. Confirm the current submittal checklist with the Highland Park Building Division before you start. Roofing contractors must hold a State of Illinois roofing contractor license (IDFPR) and be registered with the City with a bond on file per the City's Bond Language Requirement. A homeowner acting as their own general contractor must sign the Homeowner as General Contractor agreement. As of new permit applications submitted on or after March 1, 2026, work must comply with the 2024 International Residential Code and the 2024 International Building Code as adopted and amended in Title XVII. Landmark or historic district properties may need additional review, so check before ordering materials. Most Illinois jurisdictions require a permit for roof replacement even when the new material is a similar weight, while like-for-like repairs of small areas may be exempt. Many local codes limit the number of roof covering layers and require an ice barrier and underlayment. Which residential code edition sets those details is decided by your municipality or county, because Illinois has no statewide residential code governing work on an existing home.
- Who issues the permit in Highland Park?
- The local building department for Highland Park handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.