Alabama roofing: permits, codes and approvals

Strengthen Alabama Homes FORTIFIED Roof grants, mandated FORTIFIED insurance discounts, HBLB residential roofer license over $2,500, coastal re-roof rules in Mobile, mechanic's lien deadlines and the insurance-paid roof contract cancellation right.

Switch state

1 · Product approvals

Product approvals

Alabama has no statewide roofing product approval system. Local inspectors rely on the code's labeling requirements and evaluation reports (ICC-ES, UL, FM), and coastal cities may add wind-rating tests in local amendments.

Code evaluation reports (ICC-ES, UL, IAPMO): 48 roofing reports

2 · Permit forms

City re-roof permits

No statewide re-roof permit rule. Cities and counties set their own permit requirements, and coastal cities like Mobile have stricter re-roof rules.

MobileRe-roofs need a Re-Roofing Permit with a signed contract or estimate and photos of every stage; residential re-roofs must tear off to the deck and install a sealed roof deck under the city's coastal IRC amendment.HuntsvilleA building permit is required when material and labor exceed $250; some roofing permits can be bought online through the Inspection Department.

3 · Code rules

Code rules

The Alabama Energy and Residential Codes Board adopted the 2015 IRC with Alabama amendments as the Alabama Residential Building Code, effective October 1, 2016. Many cities enforce their own newer edition (Mobile uses the 2021 IRC). Official adoption page ↗

Mobile coastal re-roof rulesMobile's 2021 IRC amendment requires tear-off to the deck, replacing bad decking, a sealed roof deck on re-roofs, shingles tested to ASTM D7158 or D3161, and a 26-gauge drip edge over underlayment at eaves.

4 · Wind, fire and storm programs

Wind, fire and storm programs

Alabama runs the Strengthen Alabama Homes FORTIFIED Roof grant program, requires insurers to discount FORTIFIED homes, and requires insurers to offer a FORTIFIED Roof upgrade endorsement.

FORTIFIED Roof grants (Strengthen Alabama Homes)Grants pay up to $10,000 to bring an owner-occupied single-family home to FORTIFIED Roof. Homeowner picks three SAH-listed contractors to bid; no work before the award letter; SAH pays the contractor after the FORTIFIED certificate is issued.SAH contractor requirements (Rule 482-1-159-.06)SAH contractors need an unlimited HBLB residential home builder license, IBHS FORTIFIED Roof training, SAH training, liability coverage including $1,000,000 per occurrence general liability, workers' comp, and STAARS vendor registration.Required FORTIFIED insurance discounts (Ala. Code 27-31D)Insurers must give a premium discount or rate reduction on the wind coverage of homes built or retrofitted to IBHS FORTIFIED standards. The owner must give the insurer the FORTIFIED certificate.FORTIFIED Roof endorsement (Ala. Code 27-31D-2.1)Homeowners insurers must offer an endorsement that pays the extra cost to replace a damaged roof to FORTIFIED Roof standard after a covered loss, plus the certification cost.Emergency roofer licenses after stormsAfter hurricanes the Home Builders Licensure Board has issued emergency residential roofer licenses, limited to Baldwin and Mobile counties. Out-of-area roofers still need a license from the Board.

5 · License and insurance

License and insurance

Yes. The Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board licenses residential roofers who contract directly with a homeowner on jobs over $2,500.

Residential roofer license (HBLB)Required when a roofer contracts directly with a homeowner and the job exceeds $2,500 (Ala. Code 34-14A-2). No exam; applicants show a current or recent local contractor business license.Bond and feesA $10,000 license/permit bond naming the Board as obligee, renewed each year (expires December 31). Annual license fee $150 plus a $100 processing fee for new applications.Unlicensed workDoing residential home building or roofing without the required license is a Class A misdemeanor under Ala. Code 34-14A-14.

6 · Lien and contract forms

Lien and contract rules

Alabama mechanic's liens are filed with the probate judge. Original contractors have six months; subs and suppliers have four months and must notify the owner first. Insurance-paid roof contracts carry a cancellation right.

Lien filing deadline (Ala. Code 35-11-215)File the verified lien statement within 6 months of last work for original contractors, 4 months for other claimants, and 30 days for journeymen and day laborers. Missing the deadline forfeits the lien.Notice before filing (Ala. Code 35-11-218)Anyone other than the original contractor must give the owner written notice of the lien claim (amount, what it is for, who owes it) before filing the lien statement.Supplier full-price notice (Ala. Code 35-11-210)Suppliers to a contractor get only an unpaid-balance lien unless they notify the owner in writing, before delivery, of the materials and prices; then they can lien for the full price.Lawsuit deadline (Ala. Code 35-11-221)A suit to enforce the lien must be filed within six months after the entire debt is due.Insurance-paid roof contracts (Ala. Code 8-36-2)If the insurer says in writing the claim is not fully covered, the homeowner can cancel within five business days. Contractor must give a cancellation notice form and cannot collect payment until the window ends, except signed-off emergency work.

Install instructions by brand: all makers →

Public records, last checked Oct 23, 2026. Always verify on the official source before you permit.