Arlington: what the city requires
The City of Arlington lists Roofing/Solar Panels among its required permit types and takes permit applications online at ArlingtonPermits.com. Questions go to Planning and Development Services at 817-459-6502 or the One Start Center at City Hall, 101 W. Abram Street, second floor. The city does not quote permit fees over the phone.
That comes from the city’s own permitting guide, which also notes that permits can be applied for, paid and scheduled for inspection online. The city’s DIY permit guide (December 4, 2024) points residents to the same portal and phone number.
What we could not verify from an official Arlington page is a current exemption threshold for small roof repairs or a published reroof fee. If your job is a small patch rather than a full replacement, ask the city whether it needs a permit. For local context on Arlington homes and roofs, see our Arlington page.
Fort Worth: when a reroof needs a permit
Fort Worth draws the line at decking. Its roofing FAQ says a shingle-only replacement on a one- or two-family home needs no permit, but a permit is required if any decking is replaced. The city’s residential permitting page adds that shingle work is still limited in how many layers are allowed.
Because rotted decking usually can’t be seen until the old shingles come off, a Fort Worth job that starts as shingles-only can turn into a permitted job halfway through. Ask your contractor how they handle that before the tear-off.
The same FAQ answers several code questions that come up on Fort Worth reroofs:
| Question | Fort Worth’s answer |
|---|---|
| Must all sheathing be replaced to meet today’s code? | No. If the roof met code when built and the sheathing is in good condition, it can stay. |
| Can new decking go over old decking? | No. The code does not allow a layer of decking over an existing layer. |
| Which underlayment is required? | Whichever is more restrictive: the manufacturer’s instructions or section R905 of the 2021 International Residential Code. |
| Is an ice barrier required? | No, under the city’s local amendments. |
| Are drip edges required if missing? | Yes. |
| Are crickets required if missing? | Yes. |
Who can apply, and who should
In Fort Worth, permit applicants must be a registered building contractor or qualify for a homestead permit, which covers owners working on the home they own and live in as their primary residence. Arlington runs every application through ArlingtonPermits.com. In both cities, the inspector works from the permit on file.
Texas has no state license for roofers, so city registration and proof of insurance are the practical checks. Roof Experts is insured and registered with the City of Arlington as a contractor. More on what that means is on our licensing page.
Roof Experts, LLC is registered as a contractor with both the City of Arlington and the City of Fort Worth.
Fees and timing
We don’t publish permit fees because neither city posts a flat reroof fee we could verify, and fees change. Arlington does not quote fees over the phone, so apply through ArlingtonPermits.com or visit the One Start Center. Fort Worth points residents to its online Residential Permit Guide to estimate costs. Check with the city before you budget.
Timing works the same way. Ask the city, or your contractor, how long review and inspection usually take for your address, and build that into the start date. If your home is in a historic or special district, ask the city about extra approvals before you order materials. Our cost guide shows how permits fit into the overall price of a new roof.
Other DFW cities
Every city in the area sets its own roofing permit rules, fees and inspection steps, and they don’t all match Arlington or Fort Worth. Before a reroof in Grand Prairie, Mansfield, North Richland Hills or anywhere else, check the city’s building or development services page or call the permit desk.
We work across DFW from our Arlington office. If you’re planning a roof replacement, book a free inspection or call (817) 754-9484 and we’ll go over what your city requires as part of the visit.