Roofing in Denver

Denver sits at 5,280 feet, where the plains meet the foothills, and its roofs take a beating from hail and wind. Colorado's costliest hailstorm hit the Denver metro on May 8, 2017, with $2.3 billion in insured losses, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. Wind ratings rise as you move west. Denver's 2019 roofing guideline required shingles rated for 115 mph east of Federal Boulevard, and 140 mph from Sheridan to Kipling.

Denver is a combined city and county, so one office handles your permit, your roofer's license and your inspections. That makes the rules simpler than in many suburbs, but they're still specific. Here's what applies as of October 2026.

Hail in Denver

We counted every day with a hail report of 1 inch or larger within 5 miles of downtown Denver. The data is NOAA's Storm Events Database, April 2010 through July 2026.

The May 30, 2024 storm shows why a 5-mile circle only tells part of the story. The National Weather Service reported hail up to baseball size in northeast Denver that night, farther from downtown than our circle reaches. Damage from that storm was expected to top $1 billion.

NOAA's records come from spotters and the public, so they miss storms nobody reported and can't tell you what hit your roof. Treat them as a reason to look closer. To see reports near your own house, check your exact address. Our hail size guide explains what each size tends to do.

Permits and inspections

Denver's Community Planning and Development department issues roofing permits through Denver ePermits. Most of the detailed reroof rules we could read come from Denver's Residential Roofing Guidelines, revised June 27, 2019. Denver has since moved to the 2025 Denver Building Code, based on the 2024 International Residential Code, which took effect December 31, 2025. We have not confirmed whether that update changed the reroof details below.

• When you need a permit. On homes and other buildings under 25,000 square feet, you need a permit for repairs over 10% of the roof or two squares, whichever is smaller. Every full reroof needs one.
• Partial roofs. You can replace a partial roof that ends at a natural edge. Replacing part of a single slope is not allowed.
• Tear-off. If the roof already has two or more layers, it must come off down to the deck. A single layer may be covered once.
• Ice barrier. The 2019 guideline said a self-adhered ice barrier at the eaves was not required under Denver's 2016 amendments. Ask whether that still holds under the 2025 code.
• Drip edge. The 2019 guideline doesn't address it. Ask the permit office.
• Wind labels. Shingles must be tested and labeled to ASTM D7158 for the wind zone your house sits in.
• Inspections. One- and two-family asphalt roofs get a final inspection, and a mid-roof check only if the inspector needs one. Tile roofs get both. The guideline listed 720-865-2501 for inspection requests.

We didn't find a published flat fee for a residential reroof. ePermits calculates it when you apply. For questions, call Community Planning and Development at 720-865-2700, or 720-865-2720 for ePermits help.

Who can do the work

Colorado has no state roofing license, so Denver licenses roofers itself. It's a two-step process: a supervisor certificate first, then a contractor license, and Denver doesn't accept licenses from other cities. Roofing license types include D-Roofing-Shingles Only and D-Roof Covering/Waterproofing, which flat and low-slope membrane roofs require.

Look up a company by name or license number in Denver ePermits without an account. Our check a roofer page walks through it, and hiring a roofer covers your contract rights under state law.

Homeowners can pull their own roofing permit with no exam, under Denver's homeowner permit rules. You must own and live in a single-family home, show ID matching the Assessor's records, and live there for a year after the work. Townhomes, condos, duplexes and ADUs don't qualify, and neither do homes owned by a trust or LLC.

Class 4 and wildfire rules

As of October 30, 2026, we found no requirement in Denver's published rules to use Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. A few Colorado places do require them; our news page keeps the list. Class 4 is a lab rating, not a hail warranty, so read Class 4 shingles before you pay extra.

We also found no Denver adoption of the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code and no wildfire rule for reroofs. Denver7 reported in April 2026 that wildfire risk is extremely low in downtown Denver, though the state map flags pockets of at-risk homes elsewhere in the metro. If your home borders a large open space, ask the permit office whether any wildfire map applies.

Historic districts and landmarks

If your home is an individual landmark or sits in a historic district, a reroof also goes through Landmark Preservation roofing design review.

• Same material. Matching the existing size, shape, color and exposure can be approved by staff in a quick review, usually within a few business days.
• Different material. Switching materials, including to a synthetic version of the same look, goes to the Landmark Preservation Commission. In Lower Downtown, it's the Lower Downtown Design Review Commission.
• What to submit. Photos of the house and roof, the product's cut sheet and the proposed color. A material change also needs side-by-side photos.

Apply in ePermits as a Landmark Certificate of Appropriateness. If an HOA governs your home, check its rules too; see roof color and design for how HOA approval and Colorado's fire-hardened materials law fit together.

Finding your roof's history

Denver's permit records are public. In Denver ePermits, use the general search with your street number and name. Then set Record Type to "Roofing and Siding Permit." The most recent finaled roofing permit is usually your best clue to your roof's age. Our roof age guide covers other clues if nothing turns up.

Local resources

• Community Planning and Development contacts (720-865-2700)
• Denver ePermits: permits, contractor licenses and permit history
• Denver contractor licenses
• Denver Assessor's Office
• Denver Office of Emergency Management, preparing for disasters

Common questions

Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Denver?

Yes. Denver's roofing guideline requires a permit for any repair larger than 10% of the roof or two squares, whichever is smaller, so every full reroof needs one. Apply through Denver ePermits.

Can I reroof my own house in Denver?

If you own and live in a single-family home, yes. Denver's homeowner permit rules require no exam for roofing, but they exclude townhomes, condos, duplexes and ADUs, and you must live in the home for a year after the work.

Does Denver require Class 4 impact-resistant shingles?

We found no Class 4 requirement in Denver's published roofing rules as of October 30, 2026. Class 4 is still worth pricing; see Class 4 shingles.

My house is in a historic district. Can I change roofing materials?

Possibly, but not without review. Replacing like for like can be approved by Landmark staff, usually within a few business days. Changing materials, including to a synthetic look-alike, goes to the Landmark Preservation Commission.