Roofers in Franktown work under Douglas County, not a town government. Franktown is an unincorporated community, so the Douglas County Building Division issues the roofing permit and inspects the work to the 2024 International Codes. The county’s rules are specific: a replacement is torn off to the deck, asphalt roofs are limited to one layer, wood shakes are not allowed, roofs in mapped wildfire areas must be Class A, and the roofing contractor must be registered with Douglas County before a permit is issued. Those rules reach barns, shops and guest houses as well as the house.
Douglas County’s roofing rules for Franktown
| Rule | What Douglas County requires |
|---|---|
| Permit | Required beyond minor repairs; under one square (100 sq ft) needs no permit |
| Tear-off | Replacement removes existing roof coverings down to the deck |
| Layers | One layer; asphalt shingles may not be overlaid |
| Shingle wind rating | ASTM D7158: 90 mph Class D below 7,000 ft, 120 mph Class G at 7,000 ft and above |
| High-wind nailing and eave ice barrier | Required only above 7,000 ft |
| Drip edge | At least 4 x 2 inch on eaves; 2 x 1 inch or D-style on rakes |
| Kick-out flashing | Required on all sidewalls |
| Flashing | All damaged or rusted flashing replaced |
| Fire rating | Class A in low, moderate or high intensity areas on the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code map; Class C minimum elsewhere |
| Wood shakes | Not permitted in unincorporated Douglas County |
| Weight | Roof systems over 600 lb per 100 sq ft need a Colorado-registered structural engineer |
| Inspections | Requested before 3:30 p.m., performed the next business day; the permit holder provides an OSHA-compliant ladder |
Elevation decides part of your roof spec
Douglas County ties three rules to the 7,000-foot line: the shingle wind class, high-wind nailing and an ice barrier at the eaves. Franktown’s center sits around 6,200 feet, so a typical Franktown home needs a 90 mph Class D shingle and no mandatory ice barrier. Land rises south toward the Palmer Divide, so a property high on that side should confirm its elevation before the bid. Ask any roofer which elevation spec their bid assumes, and whether the higher-elevation spec is worth it on your house.
No wood shakes, and Class A in mapped wildfire areas
Some older homes in the area still have cedar shakes. Douglas County no longer allows a wood roof in unincorporated areas; only a repair under 25% of the roof may be matched in wood, and replacement pieces need at least a Class C fire rating. Under the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, the county requires a Class A roof covering where the state map shows low, moderate or high fire intensity. Check your address on the state map before choosing a material. For the cedar look on a Class A roof, see synthetic cedar or stone-coated steel under metal roofing, and our article on cedar shake fire hazards.
Hail and wind on the Palmer Divide
Franktown sits on the north slope of the Palmer Divide, an area NWS Boulder calls out by name in its severe weather summaries. Storm Prediction Center records for the area include:
- August 10, 2004: 3.00-inch hail 4 miles west of Elizabeth in Douglas County, between Franktown and Elizabeth, and 4.25-inch hail 2 miles east of Elizabeth the same evening. A 66 mph gust was reported in Parker.
- June 21, 2023: 1.50-inch (ping pong ball) hail 2 miles west of Ponderosa Park and 1.00-inch hail 6 miles south-southeast of Castlewood Canyon.
- May 31, 2024: NWS Boulder reported severe storms over the Palmer Divide that afternoon and evening, with hail up to 2.25 inches.
On a rural property, check the outbuildings too: dents on a metal barn or shop roof are often easier to see from the ground than bruised shingles on the house. After a storm, start with storm damage repair. The claim stays yours; our photos make sure nothing gets missed in the scope.
Barns, shops and tile on acreage properties
Douglas County’s permit application lists barns, sheds, guest houses and detached garages beside the main house, so a hail claim that covers several buildings means several roofs to permit and inspect. For outbuilding options, see metal roofing. Tile has its own county rules: every tile must be fastened regardless of pitch (one fastener per tile with lugs, two without), eaves need wind clips or an approved equivalent, ridge, hip and rake tiles need mastic at the nose, and battened systems get a mid-roof inspection at 25% to 50% complete. Switching to standard-weight tile from a lighter roof requires a structural evaluation letter from a Colorado registered structural engineer. Our tile roofing page covers the materials.
Permits and contractor registration
- Registration. Douglas County requires general, roofing and mechanical contractors to register before a permit is issued, with liability insurance (and workers’ compensation where it applies) naming the Douglas County Building Division as certificate holder. Registration fees are currently waived in unincorporated Douglas County.
- Online permits. A basic residential roofing permit can be filed online when the existing roof is asphalt, masonite or metal and the new roof is asphalt or metal. Other projects go through the Building Division.
- Which jurisdiction? A Franktown mailing address does not always mean unincorporated county. Franktown sits between the Towns of Parker and Castle Rock, with Elbert County to the east, and each has its own building department.
- Covenants. Many acreage subdivisions have recorded covenants or an architectural committee. Check them before choosing color and material.
Served from our Denver-area office
Franktown is served from our office in Centennial. Nearby: Castle Rock, which has its own town rules, and Centennial. For a repair or a full replacement, see roof repair and roof replacement. See all Denver-area towns we serve.
We are veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, with 650+ Google reviews, and we reply the same business day. Financing is available if it helps. Call (303) 209-0152 or book a free roof inspection.
Sources: Douglas County Building Division, Roofing Permit Application and FAQ (4/17/2026); Douglas County, Roofing; Douglas County, Contractor Registration; Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code; NOAA Storm Prediction Center, storm reports for August 10, 2004; NOAA Storm Prediction Center, storm reports for June 21, 2023; NWS Boulder, Denver Monthly Climate Summary, May 2024.
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