# Free Roof Permit & Storm Checklist | Tacoma Roofing

> A free, printable checklist covering a Tacoma re-roof permit/historic-district pre-check and storm-damage documentation.

URL: https://tacomaroofing.net/resources/

## Permit & Historic-District Pre-Check

Per tacomapermits.org, a standard single-family or duplex re-roof is typically
permit-exempt — but the details below decide whether that's true for your job, and
whether historic-district design review applies on top of it.

- Confirm the old roofing will be fully removed, not covered over — a permit-exempt re-roof requires a complete tear-off, not an added layer.
- Check that the new material stays under 2.5 lb/sq ft — heavier material can trigger a permit on its own.
- Confirm no roofline or framing changes are planned — changing the roofline requires a permit even on an otherwise exempt job.
- Check whether the property sits inside the North Slope Historic Special Review District or the Stadium-Seminary National Historic District.
- If it does, and a permit is triggered for any of the reasons above, expect Landmarks Preservation Commission design review under Tacoma Municipal Code 13.05.047 covering compatible roof pitch and material.
- If the home was built before 1930 — common on North Slope and Stadium-Seminary properties — budget time for a deck inspection.
- Get a written price broken out by material, tear-off, and any deck repair before signing anything.

## After a Storm: Documentation Checklist

Tacoma sits directly on open water at Commencement Bay and the Tacoma Narrows, so
windstorm-driven roof damage is a real, recurring event here.

- Secure the property first, without getting on the roof yourself.
- Photograph before any repair — wide and close shots, multiple angles, same day.
- Photograph undamaged areas too, for contrast.
- Note the date and conditions of the storm.
- Get a professional assessment of storm damage vs. pre-existing wear.
- Report to your insurer promptly.

## When to Call a Professional Right Away

- Active dripping or a fast-growing ceiling stain
- Visible daylight through the roof deck from inside the attic
- Missing or torn material covering more than a small area
- Any storm damage you're considering an insurance claim for