Repairs · University

Roof repair in University (Hillsborough County), FL

In University, 7.2 percent of housing units are mobile homes, and their roofs follow a different rulebook than site-built houses. Most other homes here are older: 74.1 percent were built before 2000. That mix decides what a repair should look like and when patching stops making sense.

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Updated October 2026

Close view across a gray shingle roof slope with a black pipe boot, a palm and a green lawn below.

University figures this page uses

Median year homes were built: 1986
Share of homes built before 2000: 74.1%
Owner-occupied share of occupied homes: 12.9%
Mobile homes, share of housing units: 7.2%

Storm damage

Where roofs fail in Tampa Bay storms

Eta in 2020 pushed surge of 3.8 to 3.9 feet above normal tide into the Tampa Bay area, and rain reached 10.64 inches near Sun City Center. Water arriving that fast finds every weak point on a roof, mostly flashing at wall joints, vent pipes and openings.

Irma's center crossed between Tampa and Orlando in September 2017 as a category 1 storm. Wind damage from storms like that often starts at the ridge. FEMA notes that lost ridge vents leave large openings in the deck, and its example house had ceilings collapse with only ridge shingles and vent gone.

Leaks tend to track the places the code requires flashing: wall and roof intersections, changes of slope and roof openings. Look there first, along with missing or cracked tabs and exposed felt.

Repair limits

Repair or replace: the 25 percent rule

Florida's building code caps repair at 25 percent of a roof or roof section in any 12-month period. Go past that and the entire roof section must be brought up to code, unless the roof was itself built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later.

The median home in University was built in 1986, and 74.1 percent predate 2000. That suggests many of these homes had original roofs put on well before 2009, so the exception may not apply and a large repair could turn into a full replacement.

Only 12.9 percent of occupied homes here are owner-occupied. If you rent, the owner or property manager decides on repair versus replacement. Ask them for the permit record of any past roof work.

Next steps

What to do after a storm, and who permits the work

Stay off the roof. From the ground, photograph missing shingles, lifted ridge caps and stained ceilings. Dry what you safely can from inside. The Atlantic season ends November 30, but the busiest stretch is mid-August to mid-October, so check the roof before then.

University is an unincorporated CDP, so the Hillsborough County building office issues roof permits here. The code lets the building official approve ordinary minor repairs without a permit, so ask the county office before work starts.

Parts of the old University boundary were annexed into Tampa and Temple Terrace in the 1980s. Check which jurisdiction your address falls under before you ask anyone for a permit.

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Questions

Roof repair in University: questions

What is the 25 percent rule for roofs in Florida?

Not more than 25 percent of a roof or roof section may be repaired, replaced or recovered in 12 months unless the whole roof section is replaced or recovered. The exception applies only if the existing roof was built or repaired under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later. Homes in University have a 1986 median build year, so many roofs may not qualify. Ask the Hillsborough County building office how the rule applies to your roof.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year (2020-2024), table B25035, via Census Reporter API, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof repair

What is the 15 year roof rule in Florida?

Under Fla. Stat. 627.7011(5), a roof 15 years or older can be checked by an authorized inspector you hire. When the inspection finds the roof has at least 5 years of useful life remaining, the insurer may not decline coverage or non-renew a policy solely because of how old the roof is. With 74.1 percent of University homes built before 2000, many owners may reach that age line. For questions about the terms of your own policy, your insurer or agent is the one who can walk you through them.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year (2020-2024), table B25034, via Census Reporter API, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof repair

Who permits roof repair in University, FL?

University is an unincorporated CDP, so permits come from Hillsborough County's building office. The code requires a permit to repair a building, but ordinary minor repairs may proceed with the building official's approval and no permit. Check with the county before you start, especially for work near the 25 percent line.

Source: Hillsborough County - Building Permits & Records (unincorporated Hillsborough County), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof repair

Do mobile homes in University follow the same roof rules?

Not always. Mobile homes make up 7.2 percent of housing units in University, and manufactured homes follow the HUD code rather than the Florida Building Code. Ask the Hillsborough County building office which rules apply to your roof before you plan a repair.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year (2020-2024), table B25024, via Census Reporter API, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof repair

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