Highlands Ranch Roofing Code | Denver Roofers

Aug 3, 2016 | How To's

Douglas county roofing codes are the prevailing and governing building codes for Highlands Ranch, Colorado. The current International Residential Code edition adopted by Highlands Ranch is the 2012 International Residential Code. Douglas county is the seventh most populous county in Colorado, therefore changes to existing building codes for new roofs and roof replacements may be on the horizon. Consult Douglas County Building Department before your project commences, they are located 100 Third Street, Castle Rock, Colorado. You can reach them by telephone at 303-660-7497. There fax number is 303-660-0041.

Application for roof permit in person

Application for roof permit may be submitted in person at the Douglas County Permit office, Monday through Friday between the hours of 0800 and 1700 hours. In consideration of business logistics any application submitted after 1600 will be posted the following day.

Submittal of roof permit application through Douglas County website portal

This portal allows homeowners and roofing contractors to submit for and acquire basic roof permits for residential use. This may be paid for with a credit card and should be beneficial to all parties by eliminating the need to drive to their location and also reducing the work load for the county.

  • This process is only good for an asphalt roof or metal roof. You can not obtain a roof permit for a tile roof online.
  • Existing roof type must be asphalt, masonite or metal.
  • Residential property in unincorporated Douglas County. Highlands Ranch, Colorado is located within unincorporated Douglas County.
  • Permits for residential dwelling can be purchased through the e-portal.
  • Click here to access the portal and to create a new account.

All roofing systems will meet the requirements of the 2012 International Residential Code and the manufacturer’s installation requirements. Highlands Ranch will not be required for roof systems to meet high wind requirements or severe climate requirements on properties under 7000 feet in elevation. It is of our opinion and experience at Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC that all roof systems should be installed to meet high wind requirements, therefore we believe it is of utmost importance for applicators to install 6-nails per shingle. Roof systems shall not exceed 600 pounds per square. A square is 100 square feet of roof area.

Highlands Ranch, CO roofing code guidelines

  • The maximum number of layers for roofing material that will be allowed in Highlands Ranch is only one layer.
  • Roofs will need to be ventilated according to the manufacturer’s installation requirements. Most manufacturers will require one net free area for one hundred and fifty square feet of roofing. Be sure to consult the installation instructions and plan on adding roof and soffit vents as needed.
  • Ice and water shield is not required by the building department to be installed on the eaves of homes less than 7000′ elevation. However, if you look at the International Residential Code for 2012 you’ll find that if the property has a history of ice dams, ice and water shield will be required. The 2012 IRC code will trump local requirements. Every contractor should do their due diligence and not provide an inferior system. A contract could be held liable to the application of the more restrictive code. Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC will install ice and water shield on properties that have a history of ice dams.
  • Ice and water shield is required to be installed on eaves of buildings that are above 7000′ elevation. It must extend to within 24″ of the interior wall line of the exterior wall of the building.
  • Drip edge is required on both the rake and eaves of buildings in Highlands Ranch, CO. We recommend the use of pre-painted drip edge. The drip edge is to be installed underneath the underlayment on the roof eave and on top of the underlayment on the roof rake.
  • High wind nailing is required for properties above 7000′ elevation.
  • Final inspection require for all roof permits.
  • A secured ladder must be provided by the Denver roofer or the homeowner. This ladder should be properly secured at both the top and bottom.
  • Wood shakes and wood shingles are not allowed in the red zones identified in the wildfire district overlay map. If permitted in a specific location the wood shakes and wood shingles should be a minimum of class C fire rated.
  • A mid-roof inspection is require on any roof with battens. Tile, cement, stone coated steel roofs and various others require battens and will need a mid-roof inspection. This is important to ensure that the underlayment and flashing is properly installed to shed water to the roofs eave.
  • Kick out step flashing is required where the flashing terminates at the bottom of the wall.
  • Shingles are to be installed to overhang the roof and eave per manufacturer’s installation instructions.
  • Starter course is to be nailed within 3″ of roof eave and roof rake. This is a critical installation procedure that must be followed. Wind uplift in extreme storms will strip shingles along the eave that and rake that don’t have a properly installed starter strip.
  • Every Denver roofer is responsible to install the shingles according to the proper layout including the correct shingle exposure.
  • Proper roof ventilation needs to be installed on homes in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
  • Siding is to be re-fastened along the wall near step-flashing.
  • Hip and ridge shingles must be installed according to the manufacturer’s exposure recommendations.
  • Bird flashing is to be installed where the roof intersects soffit and fascia.
  • Sidewall flashing must be installed to 4″ height along the wall and 4″ across the shingles. Step-flashing or continuous flashing can be used along all wall abutments.
  • Rake flashing shall overlap the roof a minimum of 2″.
  • Eave flashing shall overlap the roof a minimum of 4″.
  • Valley flashing can  be installed with 90# felt, ice and water shield or metal. Some contractors use a combination of 90# felt and metal flashing for valley installation while others incorporate ice and water shield and metal. The standard is to use only one of these products, but a combination may be suggested for certain circumstances.

Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC suggests using the Douglas County portal to look for certified Denver Roofers. These roofing contractors are licensed and insured  to work in Highlands Ranch and understand the roofing codes for your area. Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC is one of several Denver Roofers that is certified as a Certainteed Master Shingle Roofing Company. Contact Integrity Roofing and Painting, LLC, we make roof replacements easy.