Roof Replacement / Repair Permit Guide

Quick Answer

Do you need a permit to replace your roof in Toronto? In most cases, no. Replacing existing roofing material (shingles, membrane, etc.) without structural changes is exempt from building permits. But if the roof structure is being modified, repaired, or raised, a permit is required. Non-structural re-roofing costs just $0.76/m²; structural work costs $6.20/m² (2026). Not sure? Check your project →

When You DON'T Need a Roofing Permit

The most common roofing job in Toronto — stripping old shingles and installing new ones — does not require a building permit, as long as:

• You're replacing existing roofing material (shingle-to-shingle, membrane-to-membrane)
• No structural work is involved (no changes to rafters, trusses, or roof deck)
• The roof structure itself is not being modified (no raising, extending, or reshaping)
• You're not adding dormers or skylights that cut through structural members

This is an explicit exemption under the Ontario Building Code.

Source: When Do I Need a Building Permit? — Toronto

When You DO Need a Roofing Permit

A permit is required when:

• Structural modifications to the roof — replacing or adding rafters, trusses, or structural sheathing
• Raising the roof — increasing roof height or pitch
• Adding a dormer — this is an addition, always requires a permit
• Converting attic to living space — structural reinforcement usually needed
• Significant roof deck damage requiring structural repair
• Re-roofing that reveals structural problems — if your roofer discovers rotted trusses or rafters, the repair becomes structural work
• Adding solar panels — may require a permit (qualifies for Express Services)

The Grey Area

Here's where it gets tricky: your roofer starts a routine shingle replacement and discovers the roof deck is rotted or trusses are damaged. What started as exempt work now requires structural repair — and a permit. Good roofers will flag this immediately.

2026 Roofing Permit Fees

Example: Structural Roof Repair on a Typical House

A 100 m² (1,076 sq ft) roof footprint with structural work:

• 100 × $6.20 = $620.00

A 100 m² roof, non-structural re-roofing (if you chose to pull a permit):

• 100 × $0.76 = $76.00 → minimum fee applies = $214.79

Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, or Amex (up to $20,000).

Source: Toronto Building Permit Fees

Skylights

Skylights have their own rule:

• In a house or small building: Installing a skylight is exempt if you're removing 1 rafter or less (not a truss)
• If you're cutting through a truss or removing more than 1 rafter, a permit is required — that's structural modification

So a single skylight between existing rafters? Usually no permit. A large skylight that requires cutting trusses? Permit required.

Solar Panels

Installing solar panels on an existing roof may require a building permit — but the good news is solar panels qualify for Express Services (3 business day review goal).

You'll also need an ESA electrical permit for the electrical connections.

Source: Express Building Permits — Toronto

How to Apply for a Roofing Permit

If your roofing project requires a permit (structural work), here's the process:

Step 1: Get Engineering Drawings

Structural roof work requires engineering drawings showing:

• Existing roof structure
• Proposed modifications
• Load calculations
• Connection details

Step 2: Prepare Your Application

• Application for a Permit to Construct or Demolish (updated February 16, 2026 form)
• Structural engineering drawings
• Schedule 1: Designer Information

Step 3: Submit

Structural roofing work on a house goes through the House Stream (10 business day review for complete applications). Minor fire damage repair to a roof qualifies for Express Services.

Step 4: Inspections

The structural work must be inspected before being covered up. Coordinate with your contractor to book the inspection at the right stage.

Need help? Let PermitEasy handle your roofing permit →

Common Mistakes

1. Assuming All Roofing Is Exempt

Standard re-roofing is exempt. But the moment structural elements are involved — trusses, rafters, roof deck replacement — you need a permit. Don't let a contractor tell you otherwise.

2. Not Knowing About the Structural Discovery Issue

Your roofer strips the shingles and finds rot, sagging trusses, or structural damage. Now you need a permit mid-project. Budget for this possibility on older homes — get a roof inspection before committing to a scope of work.

3. Adding a Dormer Without Proper Permits

A dormer is an addition — it changes the building envelope. This always requires a full building permit, architectural drawings, and potentially a ZAP Certificate. It's not a simple roofing project.

4. Skipping Permits for Truss Modifications

Trusses are engineered components. Cutting, modifying, or replacing them without engineering review and a permit is dangerous and illegal. Truss work always requires a permit and engineering drawings.

5. Ignoring Solar Panel Permit Requirements

Solar panels affect roof loads and require electrical connections. Don't skip the building permit (Express eligible) or the ESA permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to replace my roof shingles?

No — replacing roofing material (shingles, membrane, tiles) without structural changes is exempt from building permits in Toronto. This covers the vast majority of residential re-roofing jobs.

How much does a roofing permit cost in Toronto?

Non-structural: $0.76/m² (minimum $214.79). Structural: $6.20/m². Most homeowners doing a standard re-roof don't need a permit at all.

Do I need a permit to add a skylight?

In a house, no — if you're removing 1 rafter or fewer (not a truss). If the skylight requires cutting a truss or removing multiple rafters, yes.

What about flat roof replacement on a commercial building?

Commercial re-roofing follows the same general rule — material replacement without structural work is typically exempt. But commercial properties have additional considerations. Check with Toronto Building for your specific situation.

Can my roofer pull the permit?

Yes — your contractor can submit the application as an authorized agent with a signed Owner's Authorization form.

The Bottom Line

Most Toronto homeowners getting a new roof don't need a permit. If your roofer says you do, ask specifically what structural work is involved. And if structural work IS needed, the permit protects you — it ensures the repair is engineered properly and inspected.

Check if your roofing project needs a permit → or let PermitEasy handle it →.

Fees current as of January 1, 2026. Sources: When Do I Need a Building Permit?, Building Permit Fees