A building permit is required to re-shingle a house in Sioux Falls, and roofers who work on homes in the city need a city license. The rules below come from City of Sioux Falls Building Services and the city's adopted code. Nearby towns and the counties set their own rules.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof?
Yes, in Sioux Falls. The city's building permit information says re-shingle and re-side projects require a building permit. Building Services issues it. Outside the city limits the rule belongs to that town or to Minnehaha or Lincoln County, and we check it for your address.
Do I need a permit for a roof repair?
A permit for a roof repair depends on its size, and we did not find a published city threshold that separates a repair from a re-shingle. Replacing a few shingles is ordinary maintenance. Replacing a slope or more should be treated as a re-shingle. When a job is in between, we ask Building Services before work starts.
Who pulls the permit: me or the roofer?
The roofer pulls the permit on a job we do. We handle permits when they are needed. The city allows an owner who lives in a single-family house to do work on it, and that owner must get the permit. If a contractor asks you to pull the permit for their work, ask why.
How many layers of shingles are allowed?
Two layers is the limit under the code. The 2021 International Residential Code, which Sioux Falls has adopted with local amendments, does not allow a new roof covering over an existing roof that already has two or more layers. It also bars an overlay where the old roof is water-soaked or too worn to be a sound base. Most replacements here are full tear-offs.
Is ice and water shield required in Sioux Falls?
Yes. The city's climate table in its residential code marks ice barrier underlayment as required. Under the 2021 International Residential Code the ice barrier, often called ice and water shield, starts at the eave edge and runs up the roof to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. It is also commonly used in valleys and around openings.
What snow and wind does the Sioux Falls code plan for?
The city's residential code table lists a ground snow load of 40 pounds per square foot and a design wind speed of 112 miles per hour. Those are design values for buildings. They are the reason nailing patterns, decking and edge metal matter on a roof here.
Does my HOA have a say in my roof?
It may. An HOA can set rules on roofing material and color through its covenants, and many newer subdivisions in south and east Sioux Falls, Harrisburg and Tea have them. Read your covenants and get written approval before you order shingles. HOA approval and the city permit are separate, and neither has the final say over the other. The city decides whether the roof meets code. The HOA decides whether it meets the covenants, so an HOA can refuse a metal roof or a color if its covenants say so. We did not find a South Dakota law that overrides HOA roofing rules. Ask the board in writing, and an attorney if you disagree.
Is there a final inspection after the roof is done?
The permit puts the job under city inspection. Building Services has an inspection line for roofing and siding work. Ask your roofer whether the final inspection has been called in and passed, and keep a record with your house papers.
Do roofers need a license in South Dakota?
South Dakota has no state roofing license. The state requires a contractor's excise tax license from the Department of Revenue. The City of Sioux Falls adds its own rule: contractors doing shingling on one and two family homes and townhomes in the city must hold a Residential Roofing and Repair Contractor license. The city lists an open-book exam with a pass mark of 80 percent, a $20,000 compliance bond and at least $300,000 of general liability insurance. The license is renewed every three years.
The Sioux Falls Roofing Company is licensed and insured. You can confirm any contractor with City of Sioux Falls Building Services, which keeps a list of currently licensed contractors.
What happens if my roofer did not pull a permit?
If your roofer did not pull a permit, the work has not been inspected, and the problem can land on you as the owner. The city can require a permit after the fact. Unpermitted work can also come up when you sell the house or make an insurance claim. We did not find a published penalty amount, so we do not quote one. Call Building Services, ask whether a permit exists for your address, and ask the roofer in writing to obtain one.
Will the city make me bring the roof deck up to code?
Only the parts the new roof depends on. A re-roof has to meet the current code for the new work: ice barrier, underlayment, flashing and fastening. Decking that is rotted or too weak to hold nails has to be replaced. Sound decking on an older house is normally left in place. Old board decking with wide gaps may need sheathing over it so the shingles meet the maker's instructions. The inspector decides on your roof, not us.
The roof failed inspection over something that was not in the contract, such as drip edge. Who pays?
Normally the roofer, when the missing item is something the code requires. A licensed roofer is expected to know the code and to price the job to pass. If the contract clearly excluded the item and you agreed to that, it becomes a discussion. Ask for the inspector's correction notice in writing. Hold the final payment until the roof passes.
What wind rating do my shingles need?
The wind rating a shingle needs is tied to the design wind speed for the area, which the city's residential code table lists as 112 miles per hour. Shingle wrappers show a wind class from standard tests. Ask your roofer to show you the class on the wrapper and to confirm that it meets the city code. The rating only holds if the shingles are nailed in the right place with the right number of nails, so installation matters as much as the label.
A free roof inspection with photos and a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your roof. Call (605) 273-7260 or send the form on this page.