Lakewood Roofing Codes: Permits, Inspections, and Requirements
Adopted building and energy codes, permit rules, and roofing requirements for Lakewood, Jefferson County. Rows below reflect our reading of the jurisdiction's own published sources, linked at the bottom of the page.
Building department
303-987-7500Inspection line
303-987-7502Permit line
303-987-7500Official department
Live code pageLakewood roofing code requirements
- What this jurisdiction requires
- 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC
- What this jurisdiction requires
- 2021 IECC
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Yes
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Class A
- What this jurisdiction requires
- 100 MPH sustained/120 MPH 3 second gusts
- What this jurisdiction requires
- A safe ladder secured to the roof must be provided to all roof inspections where the eave line is greater than 10' above the ground.
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Yes, for tile or metal roof systems after felt, flashing, and battens are installed but before final roof covering is installed.
- What this jurisdiction requires
- One layer
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Single layer only permitted
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Required
- What this jurisdiction requires
- 2 x 2, 2 inches on deck and ¼ inch below decking
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Required
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Ice barrier required at eaves per the IRC
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Two layers of underlayment
- What this jurisdiction requires
- One layer of underlayment
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Both
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Either
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Either
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Required where the roof meets a wall
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Required, installed to manufacturer specifications
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Yes
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Required on new construction under the 2021 IECC
- What this jurisdiction requires
- Required per IRC attic ventilation provisions
| Requirement | What this jurisdiction requires |
|---|---|
| Current building code | 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC |
| Current energy code | 2021 IECC |
| Building permit required | Yes |
| Roof system fire rating (residential) | Class A |
| Minimum wind speed rating for asphalt shingles | 100 MPH sustained/120 MPH 3 second gusts |
| Inspectors carry ladders for the final | A safe ladder secured to the roof must be provided to all roof inspections where the eave line is greater than 10' above the ground. |
| Requires midroof (in progress) inspection | Yes, for tile or metal roof systems after felt, flashing, and battens are installed but before final roof covering is installed. |
| Maximum layers of asphalt shingles permitted | One layer |
| Maximum layers of flat roof material permitted | Single layer only permitted |
| Requires drip edge | Required |
| Minimum drip edge size | 2 x 2, 2 inches on deck and ¼ inch below decking |
| Requires rake / gable metal edging | Required |
| Self adhering underlayment (ice and water shield) | Ice barrier required at eaves per the IRC |
| Underlayment required 2:12 up to 4:12 | Two layers of underlayment |
| Underlayment required 4:12 and above | One layer of underlayment |
| Type of valleys allowed | Both |
| Valley material required for closed valleys | Either |
| Valley material required for open valleys | Either |
| Kick-out required on step flashing | Required where the roof meets a wall |
| Requires ridge cap | Required, installed to manufacturer specifications |
| Requires ventilation to meet code | Yes |
| Blower door test when increasing ventilation to code | Required on new construction under the 2021 IECC |
| Requires soffit / eave vents | Required per IRC attic ventilation provisions |
Last checked September 2, 2026. This reflects published sources at that date, not an official ruling. Code adoptions change, so confirm with the Lakewood building department before you pull a permit.
What Lakewood requires, in plain language
Lakewood builds to the 2021 IBC and 2021 IRC. That edition, not the newest code published nationally, is the rulebook an inspector in Jefferson County holds your roof to. Energy work on the same permit follows the 2021 IECC.
Layer limit in Lakewood: One layer. This is the line item that moves a bid the most. If your existing roof is already at the limit, the deck gets stripped before new material goes down, and the labor plus dump fees belong in the written price. Flat roof sections are capped at Single layer only permitted.
Wind is what Lakewood tests shingles against. Shingles need a 100 MPH sustained/120 MPH 3 second gusts rating.
Underlayment and edge metal are where roofs fail inspection. Ice and water shield: Ice barrier required at eaves per the IRC. On 2:12 to 4:12 slopes: Two layers of underlayment. On 4:12 and steeper: One layer of underlayment. Drip edge: Required. Minimum drip edge size 2 x 2, 2 inches on deck and ¼ inch below decking.
Lakewood City Council adopted the 2021 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IEBC, IFC and ISPSC along with the 2023 NEC in 2023.
Installation details above come from our building department field survey for Lakewood, last updated 8/22/18. Code editions and contacts are refreshed from the department directly. Always confirm the details on your permit before work starts, since departments amend requirements on their own schedule.
Sources
These links go straight to the jurisdiction, so you always have the real-time source. Adoptions and amendments change on their schedule, not ours. Always confirm before permitting.
Last checked September 2, 2026. This is our best read of published sources, not an official ruling. Confirm with the Lakewood building department before you pull a permit.