Permit & Plan Review Playbook for Smooth Roof Installations

Permits and plan reviews protect your home, your money, and your peace of mind. Cities in the Valley and in Southern Arizona use them to check safety, weather performance, and energy rules before anyone removes a shingle or sets a tile. A clear playbook turns red tape into simple steps. This guide walks through every stage, what triggers a permit, what documents win a fast approval, how inspections work, and how a contractor keeps your project moving even during monsoon season. You’ll see the exact checkpoints our team uses so your roof installs cleanly, passes every inspection, and closes out with complete documentation.

Why a roofing permit matters

A permit does more than satisfy city hall. It proves the roof meets current code, which helps with resale, insurance, and disaster claims. Inspectors catch risks early, weak decking, poor ventilation, or missing edge metal, so storms don’t expose them later. A permit also creates a public record. Buyers and lenders trust a roof with a signed final.

What work usually needs a permit

Cities set the rules, and they revise them from time to time. As a rule of thumb, full roof replacement, structural repairs, skylight additions, and any change that adds weight or modifies framing call for a permit. A small like-for-like spot repair often falls outside that scope. Our office checks the address, confirms the authority (city or county), and verifies current thresholds before we schedule work. No guesswork.

The documents that speed approvals

Plan reviewers move fast when they see complete, clear submittals. Our packets include:

• Roof plan with slopes, eaves, ridges, valleys, dead-pan transitions, and tie-ins
• Product data sheets for shingles or tiles, underlayment, fasteners, vents, flashings, and sealants
• Attachment schedule that lists nail type, count, and spacing by zone (edges, corners, field)
• Ventilation layout that shows intake and exhaust with net free area math
• Skylight or solar tube details if you add daylighting
• Structural letter if new tile or features add weight to older framing
• Photos of existing conditions so reviewers see what we see on the roof

We label each page and mark drawings with simple callouts. Reviewers appreciate clarity, and clear plans save days.

HOA approvals without delays

Many neighborhoods require color and profile approvals. We build a neat HOA packet with roof photos, a color board, product literature, and your selected style names. We note any accent pieces (ridges, vents) so the board sees a full picture. You receive a ready-to-send file and, if the HOA needs it, physical samples. That preparation shortens board meetings and avoids a second round.

How we stage the timeline

Permits and HOA approvals drive the start date. Our coordinator builds a calendar that respects both and watches the weather. Monsoon cells can stall a tear-off, so we hold backup slots and keep materials on standby. You get a text or call for every milestone, permit submitted, permit issued, HOA cleared, materials delivered, and crew start. You always know what comes next.

Pre-construction walk and site protection

Before day one, the project manager walks the site, confirms access, and sets protection. We tarp landscaping, cover pools, and stage the dumpster where it won’t block neighbors. We photograph the home and yard so we can prove clean care at the end. That same manager posts the permit on site and keeps the stamped plans handy for inspectors.

Inspections: what the city checks and how we pass the first time

Most Arizona jurisdictions run two checkpoints on a reroof: a dry-in inspection and a final.

• Dry-in: Inspectors want a weather-tight roof before we set the finish layer. We install drip edge, self-adhered membrane at eaves, valleys, and dead-pans, then synthetic underlayment with correct laps and cap nails. We flash penetrations and sidewalls so sudden rain won’t sneak inside. The manager meets the inspector on site with the plan set and answers questions on the spot.
• Final: The inspector checks finished flashings, ridge detail, ventilation, and general workmanship. The manager walks with the inspector, fixes small items right there, and secures the signed final.

We plan the schedule so inspections land before lunch whenever possible. Inspectors appreciate clear access and a tidy site; clean sites earn fast signoffs.

Common plan review hang-ups, and how we avoid them

Reviewers slow projects for a few repeat issues. We design around them from day one.

• Weight changes: We never swap light shingles for heavy tile without a structural check. A stamped letter clears the path.
• Vague ventilation: We show intake and exhaust on the plan and include net free area math.
• Missing kick-out flashing: Our details include kick-outs at sidewall eaves to protect stucco.
• Dead-pan water paths: We draw crickets and scuppers where water stalls and add self-adhered membrane notes.
• Old skylight curbs: We specify curb height and wrap details so water can’t sit against the frame.

Because the packet answers those questions up front, the city spends less time emailing and more time stamping “approved.”

Clear roles so nothing falls through the cracks

Permits work best when everyone owns a task. Our team runs a simple checklist:

• Project Specialist: Documents the roof and writes the line-by-line scope with photos
• Permitting Coordinator: Submits plans, tracks approvals, and schedules inspections
• Project Manager: Leads the crew, meets inspectors, and closes punch list items
• Homeowner: Confirms colors, provides HOA contact, secures pets, and clears the driveway on start days

You always know who to text or call for answers.

Closeout: the paper trail that protects your investment

At the final walkthrough, we hand you a digital packet:

• Permit and inspection sign-offs
• Before/during/after photos
• Product list and lot data where relevant
• Warranty registration steps
• Maintenance tips for valleys, dead-pans, and gutters

Store that file with your home records. Buyers love it. Insurers love it. Future you will love it more.

FAQs

1) Do cities in the Phoenix metro and Tucson require permits for a full roof replacement?
Yes, most jurisdictions require a permit for a complete reroof. Our office checks your address, confirms the right authority, and pulls the permit before crews start.

2) How long does plan review take?
Simple reroofs often clear in a short window; complex projects or structural changes can take longer. We submit complete packets to shorten review and we update you as the status changes.

3) Can work start before the permit posts on site?
No. We stage materials and protection only after the permit issues and we post it at the home. That approach keeps the project compliant and keeps inspections smooth.

4) My HOA controls roof colors. Can you help with that?
Yes. We prepare a clear submittal with photos, color names, and product literature. You send it to the board and we answer product questions so they can vote without delays.

5) What inspections should I expect during the job?
Most cities run a dry-in inspection and a final. We schedule both, meet the inspector on site, and share photos with you so you see exactly what the city approved.

Skip the permit maze. Let Lyons Roofing handle plans, approvals, and inspections. Call (520) 442-1121 and install with confidence.