Oklahoma City contractors will need to pull roofing permits from the city before beginning any significant roof removal, repairs or replacements now that a new ordinance has taken effect.

Starting Aug. 1, the requirement applies to all single-family homes and duplexes within the Oklahoma City limits. According to city officials, the ordinance was put in place to provide oversight for roofing operations.

"Given the frequency of severe weather in our region, it is critical that we protect homeowners, especially during times of crisis, by ensuring work is done safely, professionally, and in full compliance with code," said Development Services Director Brock Rowe in a written statement.

According to reporting from CBS-affiliated KWTV-DT, Rowe said the city has 55 trade inspectors and 26 code inspectors for code enforcement to handle the inevitable rise in inspections caused by the ordinance.

The ordinance makes an exception for maintenance work in areas of 500 square feet or less, or on new construction.

Residents and contractors can apply for a roofing permit online at okc.gov/access or visit the City’s In-Person Business Center on the first floor of 420 W. Main St.

The Oklahoma City Council adopted the ordinance on June 17, 2025. 

Oklahoma doesn't have a specific roofing license requirement, but it does require contractors to register with its Construction Industries Board. Contractors must renew their registration annually, regardless of whether it's for commercial or residential work.

Due to its location in "Tornado Alley," Oklahoma City frequently falls victim to tornadoes and severe weather. There have been 193 tornado listings in the city since 1890, averaging 50 per year, according to the National Weather Service. Since 1950, there have been only five periods of more than two years without a tornado in the immediate Oklahoma City area.