All roof inspections (including Pre-Roof) require photo documentation. Inspections must be requested through the Customer Self-Service (CSS) portal. Your designated inspector can be found on the CSS portal, typically by 8 a.m. on the day of your scheduled inspection.
Roof Inspection Process
Prepare
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Photos and Documentation
- Documentation will be sent via email or text directly to your inspector and must include permit number and address..
- Required photos and any additional documentation must be sent by 2 p.m. of inspection date.
- If you do not submit the required materials by 2 p.m. your inspection will fail and need to be rescheduled.
- Common tools required in photos may include a pitch gauge and/or a measuring tool (tape measure).
- All photos and documents provided must be clear and of high resolution.
- For roof/attic assemblies requiring 1/150 ventilation, include a calculation detailing the quantity of intake and exhaust vents to demonstrate 1/150 venting ratio compliance.
- Additional documentation may be requested, such as class A listed assembly, wind design or material specifications.
- Have all documentation readily available.
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Wind Speed Requirements for Flat Membrane Roof Assemblies
To ensure the wind resistive integrity of buildings within the City of Boulder, the following two wind speed verification options apply for low slope membrane assemblies:
- Engineered Design with City inspection of wind resistive fastening or bonding: A comprehensive engineered design for the flat membrane roof assembly must be submitted at the time of permit application. This design should detail all aspects of the assembly, including materials, installation methods, and load calculations, and number and layout of fasteners or bonding materials to achieve design wind speed requirements.
- Deferred design with wind resistive fastening or adhering inspection by design professional: As an alternative to submitting the full design at permit application, a sealed letter from a qualified design professional approving applicable design parameters will be accepted. This letter must be provided at time of mid-roof inspection. The letter must certify that the installed roof assembly meets all applicable building codes and safety standards, based on a design professional’s review and approval of the assembly. A mid-roof inspection by a city inspector is also required for verifying the Class A Fire Rated parameters of the assembly.
Note: The uplift pressure that must be resisted by building components is determined by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) design standard ASCE 7. Roof assembly test standards such as Factory Mutual (FM) Global can then be used to specify tested assembly.
Basic Design Wind Speed (V) in MPH Wind Zone East of Broadway West of Broadway Risk Category I 140 155 Risk Category II 150 165 Risk Category III and IV 160 175 If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact the City of Boulder Planning and Development Services Dept through Inquire Boulder.
Inspection
This is a list of requirements for each phase of the roof inspection process.
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Pre-Roof Inspection (required for all roof overlays)
- If Pre-Roof is required, please reach out to your designated inspector.
- If any questions arise during remote inspections, an onsite inspection may be required.
- Photos of core samples are required.
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Mid-Roof Inspection
Mid-roof inspection is required if:
- Pitch is less than 4/12, or
- Any roof type other than asphalt shingles (regardless of pitch).
Mid-Roof Inspection Checklist:
- Class A assembly documentation.
- Ultimate wind speed design.
- Street view of building with visible address numbers.
- Overall roof views.
- Fastener installation.
- Asphalt shingles with a pitch below 4/12 require mid-roof.
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Final Roof Inspection
Final Roof requirement checklist:
- Street view of building with visible address numbers.
- Overall roof views.
- All flashing and penetrations.
- Measured cricket and curb heights.
- Sampling of rake edge, nail-head sealing and parapet capping.
- For roof/attic assemblies requiring 1/150 ventilation, include a calculation detailing the quantity of intake and exhaust vents to demonstrate 1/150 venting ratio compliance.
Submit Documentation
- Documentation will be sent via email or text directly to your inspector and must include permit number and address..
- Required photos and any additional documentation must be sent by 2 p.m. of inspection date.
- If you do not submit the required materials by 2 p.m. your inspection will fail and need to be rescheduled.
- Documentation must include permit number and address.
- All photos and documents provided must be clear and of high resolution.
- Inspectors reserve the right to request a future in-person inspection if documentation requirements are not clear or satisfied.
- If inspection was not passed, check your inspection notes.
- Inspector notes can be located in the CSS portal under your inspection “Checklist”.