Key numbers
67 verified hail storms with stones of 1.75 inches or larger reached Arapahoe County, which includes Littleton, from 1984 to 2026 in the storm records we keep; the largest measured 4.5 inches (softball size) on July 13, 2011 (NOAA NCEI).
| Hail storms by decade, 1984 to 2026 | 1980s: 1, 1990s: 3, 2000s: 21, 2010s: 31, 2020s: 11 Source: Storm library: Denver metro hail history |
|---|---|
| Largest hail | 4.5 in. (softball), July 13, 2011 Source: NOAA NCEI |
| Costliest hail storm | $2.3 billion insured losses (2017 dollars), May 8, 2017 Source: RMIIA |
| 4.4% | 4.4% of U.S. households reported roof leaks in the 2023 American Housing Survey, down from 7.6% in 1973. Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 2023 |
| 48.5% | 48.5% of Littleton's housing units were single-family detached homes in 2020-2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 |
| Nearly 6 million | Nearly 6 million U.S. households reported roof leaks in the 2023 American Housing Survey, per an analysis reported by Roofing Contractor. Source: Roofing Contractor (reporting Instant Roofer analysis of 2023 AHS), 2023 |
A storm counts when the library lists Arapahoe County among the areas it hit. Each hail size is the storm's largest report, which may have fallen in a neighboring county, and insured losses cover every area the storm hit.
Hail history by ZIP (NOAA reports since 1996; linked ZIPs have a full page, method)
| ZIP | Area | 1 in.+ reports | Largest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80120 | Littleton | 20 | 1.75 in. |
Local building code: Littleton roof code data: IRC edition, reroof permits, ice barrier
Roofers in Littleton must hold a City of Littleton contractor’s license and pull a permit before work starts, and Littleton’s rules are stricter than Denver’s: every replacement is a full tear-off to the deck (no overlays), every conditioned building needs an ice and water barrier at the eaves, shingles must be rated for 150 mph (ASTM D7158 Class H) and nailed with six nails each, and any repair over 100 square feet on a shingle roof means replacing the whole roof. Those rules come from the city’s Roof Covering Installation and Inspection Requirements policy, revised in May 2026.
Littleton’s roofing rules at a glance
| Rule | What Littleton requires |
|---|---|
| Design loads | 40 psf ground snow load and 136 mph ultimate design wind speed for homes |
| Shingles | ASTM D7158 Class H (or D3161 where the code allows), six nails per shingle, no shingles below 2:12 |
| Metal and tile | Metal rated to UL 580 / ASTM E1592 and tile to ASTM C1167 for 150+ mph. Clay and concrete tile may be reused if the manufacturer allows it |
| Tear-off | Full tear-off to the deck. No overlays |
| Decking | Board decks with any gap over 1/2 inch get 3/8-inch or thicker panel sheathing, and the city inspects the nailing before underlayment goes on |
| Eaves and valleys | Ice and water barrier at least 2 feet inside the wall line, plus approved valley linings |
| Repairs | 100 sq ft or less is a repair. More than that on a shingle, metal or tile roof is a full replacement |
| Paperwork | Manufacturer specs proving the wind rating at permit intake; permit displayed facing the street |
Littleton adopted the 2024 International Codes, including the 2024 Wildland-Urban Interface Code, and properties in a designated wildfire hazard zone can face extra requirements.
What this means for a Littleton homeowner
- Hail damage on one slope is often a whole-roof job. Because a repair stops at 100 square feet, a contractor cannot legally patch a large damaged area. That matters when you read an insurance scope; our photos make sure nothing gets missed in it, and the claim stays yours.
- Budget for decking on older homes. Board decks with gaps get sheathed, and the city inspects it.
- Plan solar early. A city-licensed solar contractor has to pull a permit to remove and reinstall panels before your roof permit is issued.
The numbers are different a few miles away. Compare Centennial, where repairs over 25% of the roof force a tear-off, and Lakewood, which does not require an ice barrier at all. If you are south toward Douglas County, see Castle Rock.
Roofing services for Littleton homes
We handle roof repair, full replacement, storm damage and roofing in asphalt, metal and tile. Littleton is served from our Denver-area office in Centennial, a short drive east. For background, our older article on the Littleton roofing code shows how the rules have tightened. See all Denver-area towns we serve.
Why Littleton homeowners call us
We are veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, and have 650+ Google reviews. We reply the same business day. Call (303) 209-0152 or book a free roof inspection.
Source: City of Littleton Building Division, Policy #24-001, Roof Covering Installation and Inspection Requirements (5th revision, 5/21/2026); City of Littleton, Building Codes and Amendments.
Photos From Our Projects
