Do You Need a Permit for Roof Work in Burlington County? (2025 Guide)

27October 2025

When you’re planning roof work—whether a repair, replacement, or adding skylights—the question often asked by homeowners is: “Do I need a permit?” In Burlington County, the answer depends heavily on which municipality you’re in, the scope of work, and how the NJ Uniform Construction Code (UCC) is applied locally.

In this article, you’ll get:

The legal foundation under NJ law
Specific municipalities in Burlington County and their rules
Real permit cost and inspection details
Examples of projects that did and did not require permits
Tips from T.A. Hughes for handling the permit process smoothly

Let’s dig in.

Legal Foundation: The UCC & Permit Requirements in New Jersey

Any discussion of construction permits in NJ must start with the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), N.J.A.C. 5:23.

Under the UCC, a construction permit is generally required for structural, mechanical, or substantial alteration work on a building.
However, the UCC also excludes “ordinary maintenance” from permitting. That means minor repairs (shingle replacements, flashing patching) may not always require a permit.
Municipalities adopt the UCC and often layer in their own permit fees, inspections, and local codes.
Each NJ county has a Construction Board of Appeals, including Burlington County, that hears appeals of municipal building official decisions.

So legally, yes—many roof jobs require permits under state rules. Whether your local building department enforces that depends on the town you live in.

Burlington County & Local Municipal Permit Landscape

In Burlington County, many towns manage their own construction / permits department under the authority of the UCC. Below are examples and quirks from key municipalities.

Evesham Township

Evesham’s Construction – Permits & Inspections department explicitly mentions roof permits under “Construction Permits.”
Their website instructs homeowners or contractors to contact the office at (856) 983‑2914 ext. 4 before starting work if unsure whether a permit is needed.
They publish a Construction Application Packet including forms for building permits.
Evesham requires that inspections be scheduled in writing and only between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Zoning permits may also be required (especially if roof changes affect height, setbacks, or third‑floor additions) under their municipal code.

Real example: If you’re replacing sheathing or changing roof pitch in Evesham, the town will expect a full permit application—not just a shingle swap.

Burlington City

City of Burlington handles construction permits via a Construction Permits & Applications portal.
According to the city’s code, fees for roofing and siding work are fixed at $70 for residential properties.
The Burlington division of Code Enforcement inspects to ensure compliance with local codes and the UCC.
The city also maintains appeals handled by the Burlington County Construction Board of Appeals for disputes.

Other Municipalities (Township of Burlington, Mount Holly, etc.)

Burlington Township’s Licenses & Inspections department performs local inspections and issues permits.
In many towns, roofing work that only replaces shingles without altering structure may be considered maintenance and might not always need a permit—but this varies by local code.
Always check the town’s building or permits page, or call the Construction Official.

When You Definitely Need a Permit (and Why)

These types of roof work almost always require a permit in Burlington County towns:

Full roof replacement or re‑roofing over multiple layers
Changing structural elements — e.g. new dormers, altering pitch, raising roof height
Replacing sheathing or structural decking
Adding roof features — skylights, rooftop HVAC units, solar panels (if affecting structure or load)
Combining with other structural changes — for example, adding second story, expanding roof footprint

If you do these without a permit, the municipality might issue a stop-work order, require you to tear out the work, or impose fines. Your homeowner’s insurance or future resale could be at risk.

When You Might Not Need a Permit (Grey Zones)

There are cases where roof work may be classified as ordinary maintenance, allowing work without a permit:

Replacing a few shingles or minor flashing repairs
Patching small leaks
Cosmetic work that does not alter structure

But caution is necessary:

The local building official has final say—what is “maintenance” in one town may require a permit in another.
If your roof project triggers changes (e.g. replacing large areas, disturbing structure), you may be forced into permitting mid‑project.
Insurance claims can be denied if work was done without proper permits or inspections.

Roofing Permit Comparison: When You Do vs. Don’t Need a Permit in Burlington County

Project Type	Permit Needed?	Notes
Replacing shingles (no structural change)	No*	Depends on town. Some consider this “ordinary maintenance.”
Full roof replacement	Yes	Always needed due to scope and inspection requirements.
Adding skylights or solar panels	Yes	Affects roof load and structure; requires permit and inspection.
Patching small roof leaks	No	Minor maintenance tasks may not trigger permit requirement.
Replacing sheathing or roof decking	Yes	Structural work always requires a permit.

*Always confirm with your local construction office or call T.A. Hughes Roofing for compliance help.

Permit Application Process: Step by Step

Step	Description
1. Confirm jurisdiction	Identify your town’s building/code office (e.g., Evesham, Burlington City, etc.).
2. Submit permit application	Include scope of work, contractor’s license, roof plans, materials, structural details.
3. Pay permit fees	Example: Burlington City charges $70 for residential roofing. View fee code »
4. Plan review & approval	Municipality reviews for compliance with UCC and local zoning.
5. Schedule inspections	Common checkpoints: pre-roof (decking), mid-roof, final inspection.
6. Final sign-off	You’ll receive a Certificate of Compliance or final permit approval after passing inspection.
Local Nuance: In Evesham Township, inspections must be requested in writing (no phone calls) and are available between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays.

Real-Life Permit Examples

Example 1, Evesham: A homeowner replacing all roof decking and adjusting pitch had to present structural plans to Evesham’s Construction Office before permits were issued—simple shingle replacement would not have required the full submittal.
Example 2, Burlington City: A homeowner installing solar panels on the roof also needed a roof permit, because it affects the load and ties into structural changes, and also had to submit to Code Enforcement.
Appeals: If your permit is denied in your municipality, you can appeal to the Burlington County Construction Board of Appeals under N.J.A.C. 5:23.

Risks of Doing Roof Work Without a Permit

Fines and stop‑work orders
Forced removal or retroactive compliance
Insurance claim denial
Compromised resale value or failed home inspections
Liability risks if structural issues occur

A permit is not just bureaucracy—it’s protection for your home and your wallet.

How T.A. Hughes Helps You Navigate Roof Permits

At T.A. Hughes Roofing, we don’t just put on shingles — we handle the paperwork:

We research your municipality’s code and prepare drawings
We submit the permit on your behalf
We schedule inspections and ensure compliance
We guarantee your roof will pass local inspection

Don’t risk non-compliance. Get a free permit consultation + roofing quote today.
📞 (856) 467‑1645 | 🖱️ Contact T.A. Hughes Roofing »