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Commercial roofs ยท Martin County

Commercial roofing in Martin County, FL

In Martin County, 14.8 percent of homes are in buildings with 10 or more units, so a large share of roofs here belong to associations and property managers. Those roofs are usually low-slope. The permit comes from the Martin County Building Department, and no high-velocity hurricane zone office is involved.

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Updated October 2026

Downtown street with parked cars, storefronts and awnings under a clear blue sky in late afternoon light.
A low-slope roof section with a granulated cap sheet in the foreground meeting a gray shingle slope, neighboring homes and a cloudy sky behind.Our work
Photo: Osceola Street EB past St Lucie Avenue Stuart FL by Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped

Commercial roofing in Martin County, in short

Martin County is not in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which covers only Miami-Dade and Broward, so the standard Florida Building Code applies. A commercial re-roof needs a permit from the Martin County Building Department, and 14.8 percent of local homes are in buildings of 10 or more units.

Sources for this answer

Martin County figures

The Martin County numbers behind this page

Share of homes in buildings with 10+ units
14.8%
Seasonal, recreational or occasional-use homes (share of all units)
12.3%
New residential building permits, 2020 (county total)
479

Building stock

Which buildings are commercial roofs in Martin County

Beyond shops and offices, many Martin County flat roofs sit on multi-unit housing. About 12.3 percent of all housing units are held for seasonal or occasional use. Those buildings can sit empty for months, so a slow leak may go unseen until a manager visits.

Stuart has an East Stuart Historic District and a historic preservation program. If your building stands in or near it, confirm with the city and the building office whether extra review applies before you pick a roof system.

New multi-unit construction is thin right now. County permits for buildings with 5 or more units were 0 units in 2025, against 41 units in 2020. That is 41 fewer units. That suggests most commercial and multi-unit roofs you manage are existing roofs, not new ones.

Code regime

Code rules for a Martin County commercial roof

Broward and Miami-Dade make up the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, and Martin County is not part of it. A bid that cites Miami-Dade product notices as a requirement here is describing another county. Roofing products in Martin County must carry Florida statewide product approval.

Florida's Eighth Edition building code has applied since the last day of 2023. Permit applications submitted on December 31, 2026 or later will need to comply with the Ninth Edition, which takes effect that day. Ask your roofer which edition your Martin County application falls under.

The 25 percent rule reaches commercial buildings too. Repair, replace or recover more than a quarter of a roof section within 12 months, and the whole section must be brought to current code. Roofs already built to the 2007 code or later get a narrower requirement, limited to the repaired part.

Flat roof design

Low-slope systems, drainage and ponding water

Stuart averages 62.72 inches of rain a year, and 67.6 percent of it falls May through October. A flat roof here must shed that water. The code sets a minimum slope of one-fourth unit in 12 for built-up, modified bitumen, single-ply and spray foam roofs.

The code defines positive drainage as a roof that clears rain within 48 hours. Where parapets could trap water, it requires secondary overflow drains or scuppers. On a Stuart-area building, get the overflow location and sizing in writing from every bidder.

A new membrane may go over an old roof only in limited cases. Tear-off to the deck is required if the old roof is water soaked, or if it already has two or more roof coverings.

Bids and permits

Permits and how to compare commercial bids

The Martin County Building Department issues the roof permit. Temporary tarping needs no permit. A roof replacement or substantial repair does, and after a storm the county waives fees and speeds review.

  • Written system type, such as TPO, modified bitumen or standing-seam metal, with the product approval number.
  • The permit applicant named on the bid. A roofing contractor must do the roofing, unless a general contractor holds a roofing registration.
  • Who records and posts the Notice of Commencement before the first inspection.
  • The overflow drain plan and the tear-off or recover decision in writing.
  • Wind-uplift design and tested metal edge details, which the code requires on low-slope roofs outside the high-velocity zone.

Under the code's permit clock, a Martin County roof permit lapses if no work starts within 6 months of issue, or if work stops for 6 months. Put a start date and a crew schedule in the bid.

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Commercial roofs

Commercial roofing by town in Martin County

Bids

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Questions

Commercial roofing in Martin County: questions

Do I need a permit to re-roof a commercial building in Martin County?

Yes. The Martin County Building Department treats a roof replacement or substantial roof repair as permitted work. Temporary tarping is the exception and needs no permit. After a storm, the county's recovery guide says fees are waived and review is expedited. Confirm current steps with the building department before work begins, and make sure the bid names who pulls the permit.

Source: Martin County Building Department, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Commercial roofing

Does the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone apply to my Martin County building?

No. Only Broward and Miami-Dade counties fall in that zone, and Martin County follows the standard Florida Building Code. A bid that quotes Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance paperwork as a local requirement is describing another county's rule. Roofing products in Martin County need Florida statewide product approval.

Source: Florida Building Commission, 'Setting New Standards for Safety: The Florida Building Code' (2004 publication; wind-speed figures in it are outdated and not used), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Commercial roofing

What is the minimum slope for a flat commercial roof in Martin County?

New built-up, modified bitumen, single-ply, spray foam and liquid-applied roofs need at least one-fourth unit of rise per 12 units of run. That is about 2 percent. With 62.72 inches of annual rain at Stuart, the roof should also clear water within 48 hours and have overflow drains or scuppers where parapets could trap water.

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (access data service), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Commercial roofing

Does the 25 percent rule apply to my association's roof?

Yes. When repairs, replacement or recovery touch over 25 percent of a roof section within any 12-month window, that entire section has to be brought up to current code through replacement or recovery. A narrower requirement applies when the roof was built or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later. With 14.8 percent of Martin County homes in buildings of 10 or more units, many associations face this question.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, B25034, B25024, via Census Reporter API, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Commercial roofing

Can I put a new membrane over my old commercial roof?

Sometimes. A recover is barred if the old roof is water soaked or too deteriorated to serve as a base. It is also barred if the roof already has two or more coverings. In those cases the code requires tear-off to the deck. Stuart's 67.6 percent of yearly rain falling May through October makes a wet, weakened deck likely, so ask each bidder to state the choice in writing and explain why.

Source: 2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 15 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Commercial roofing

Martin County

More in Martin County

Sources for this page(46)
  1. 1.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25004, B01001, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  2. 2.Share of homes in buildings with 10+ units: 14.8%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25024, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  3. 3.Seasonal, recreational or occasional-use homes (share of all units): 12.3%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25004, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  4. 4.Hurricane Dorian (2019). NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Dorian (AL052019). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  5. 5.Hurricane Nicole (2022). NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (AL172022). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  6. 6.Florida Building Commission, 'Setting New Standards for Safety: The Florida Building Code' (2004 publication; wind-speed figures in it are outdated and not used). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  7. 7.City of Stuart, East Stuart Historic District. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  8. 8.Permit office: Martin County Building Department. Martin County Building Department. Read Oct 10, 2026.
  9. 9.U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey county annual files (co2025a.txt, co2020a.txt). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  10. 10.New residential building permits, 2020 (county total): 479 single-family units; 24 units in 2-4 unit buildings; 41 units in 5 buildings with 5+ units. U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, county annual file co2020a.txt (estimates with imputation). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  11. 11.Hurricane Isaias (2020). NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Isaias (AL092020). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  12. 12.NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (access data service). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  13. 13.NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (access data service). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  14. 14.Martin County, Hurricane and Tropical Storm Recovery Permitting Guide. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  15. 15.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, B25034, B25024, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  16. 16.FBC-Building 2023 Chapter 2 definitions. Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7).
  17. 17.Florida Statutes, section 553.842 (2026). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  18. 18.FRSA, "New 2023 FBC Eighth Edition is Now in Effect", 2024-02-13. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  19. 19.Miami-Dade County RER notice. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  20. 20.2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 15 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7).
  21. 21.FBC-B 2023 Ch. 15. Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7). Source URL inherited from C-14 (the research cites it "as C-14").
  22. 22.2023 Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8th ed., Chapter 11 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7).
  23. 23.Florida Statutes, section 489.113 (2026). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  24. 24.2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 1 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026. FBC text read from UpCodes (unofficial transcription): check floridabuilding.org or the ICC viewer before quoting (spec 8.7). Source URL inherited from C-3 (the research cites it "as C-3").
  25. 25.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Dorian (AL052019), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  26. 26.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (AL172022), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  27. 27.Martin County Building Department, Martin County Building Department. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  28. 28.U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, county annual file co2020a.txt (estimates with imputation), U.S. Census Bureau. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  29. 29.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Isaias (AL092020), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  30. 30.Florida Statutes, section 713.135 (2026), Florida Legislature. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  31. 31.Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, inspections FAQ (updated 2026-03-17), Citizens Property Insurance. Read Oct 4, 2026.
  32. 32.miamidade.gov, miamidade.gov. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  33. 33.Florida Building Commission, Florida Building Commission. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  34. 34.NOAA Storm Prediction Center, preliminary storm reports 2024-10-09, NOAA. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  35. 35.OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2 (declarations since 2016-01-01 for this county), FEMA. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  36. 36.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Matthew (AL142016), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  37. 37.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (AL092022), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  38. 38.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (AL112017), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  39. 39.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Climatology, NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  40. 40.NWS Miami, Weather Safety - Lightning, National Weather Service. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  41. 41.U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (POP100, HU100) via TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 layer 82 (Counties), U.S. Census Bureau. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  42. 42.OpenFEMA FIMA NFIP Redacted Policies v2 (count query: effective on or before and terminating after 2026-10-05), FEMA. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  43. 43.OpenFEMA FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims v2 (count query), FEMA. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  44. 44.Wikipedia, 'List of municipalities in Florida' (cross-checked against Census 2020 TIGER incorporated places), Wikipedia. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  45. 45.U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (POP100, HU100) via TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 layer 28 (Census Designated Places), U.S. Census Bureau. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  46. 46.Wikipedia, 'Martin County, Florida' (revision 1375299623), Wikipedia. Read Oct 5, 2026.

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Commercial roofing in Martin County

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