The city permit
The City of Surprise adopted the 2024 International Codes — including the International Residential Code — effective January 1, 2026, under Ordinance 2025-14, with local amendments. The amendment that matters for roofs is to IRC R105.2, the list of work exempt from permits. In Surprise, re-roofing is exempt when it uses the same type of material as the existing roof (asphalt shingles are limited to two layers), and so is applying a nonstructural weatherproof covering over an existing weatherproof surface. In plain language:
| Job | Permit? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tile lift-and-relay (new underlayment, same tile back on) | No | Same material, like for like |
| New concrete tile replacing concrete tile | No | Same material type |
| Shingle replacement, one or two total layers | No | Same material, ≤ 2 layers |
| Foam recoat | No | Weatherproof covering over an existing weatherproof surface |
| Tile to shingle, or shingle to tile | Yes | Material change; weight and structure |
| New foam over a roof that wasn't foam | Yes | Material change |
| Decking, rafter or truss repair | Yes | Structural |
| Third shingle layer | Not allowed | Tear off instead |
| Commercial re-roof | Usually yes | Commercial permits; ask Building Safety |
Permits come from the Community Development Department's Building Safety Division — 623-222-3000, surpriseaz.gov/permits-inspections — and run $150 to $500 for a residential re-roof. We pull every permit that's required and it's on your invoice. Sun City, Sun City West, Waddell and Wittmann are unincorporated and permit through Maricopa County; El Mirage, Youngtown, Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Buckeye each have their own building departments with broadly similar exemptions.
The HOA
Surprise has more than eighty homeowners' associations in the city's directory, and nearly all of them regulate what a roof looks like from the street. The pattern is consistent: a like-for-like job (your tile goes back on, or the same color shingle) is a notification or nothing at all; a change of material or color needs architectural approval; and anything visible — a solar attic fan on a front slope, a tile profile change — may need a look. Arizona law (A.R.S. 33-1817) says an HOA can't unreasonably withhold architectural approval, but it can take its time, so we file early.
- Marley Park is the strictest: the Design Review Committee (through the Marley Park Community Association / FirstService) approves roof form and material against each of the seven approved home styles. We prepare the submittal with product sheets and color chips.
- Sun City Grand (Sun City Grand Community Association) has an architectural application for changes; a lift-and-relay with your own tile is a notification.
- Surprise Farms, Greer Ranch, Sierra Montana, Royal Ranch, Ashton Ranch, Prasada, Heritage at Asante and the rest review color and material changes; most are a simple form.
- Sun City (SCHOA) and Sun City West (PORA) have no process for a maintenance recoat or a like-for-like replacement.
What we handle
The city permit when it's required, the Maricopa County permit in the unincorporated communities, and the HOA submittal — notification or architectural application — for every job. If your association has a specific form, send it over or tell us which association and we'll get it.
Common questions
Does a lift-and-relay need a permit?
No — it's re-roofing with the same material, which Surprise's IRC R105.2 amendment exempts. The decking repair we sometimes do along the way is minor and doesn't trigger a structural permit; a roof with widespread rot would.
I want to switch from tile to shingles. What's involved?
A city permit for the material change, and HOA architectural approval almost everywhere — some associations prohibit it outright. Structurally it's easy (shingles are a third the weight). We check both before quoting.
How long does HOA approval take?
Notifications are immediate. Architectural approvals run two to six weeks depending on the committee's meeting schedule; Marley Park's DRC meets on a calendar. We file as soon as you approve the quote.
What happens if a previous owner re-roofed without a required permit?
For a like-for-like job, nothing — it was exempt. For a material change, the city can require a retroactive permit and inspection when it comes up in a sale. A roof inspection report usually surfaces it.
Who permits Sun City and Sun City West?
Maricopa County, since both are unincorporated. The county's exemptions for like-for-like re-roofing are similar to Surprise's.
Related: Tile underlayment replacement · Roof replacement · Marley Park and Surprise Farms · Sun City Grand