Skip to content

Inspections ยท Martin County

Roof inspections in Martin County, FL

Mobile homes make up 8.8 percent of Martin County's housing units, and the median home here was built in 1986. That points to a large share of original roofs being older than 15 years. Florida's 15-year insurance rule and the roof section of the 4-point form both turn on roof age, so an inspection tells you where you stand.

Request a quote407-242-2840

Updated October 2026

Calm river water with docks and a white multi-storey building across the shore under blue sky.
Top-down drone view of a gray-blend shingle roof with ridges, valleys and roof vents, lawn on both sides and a white fence at the left edge.Our work
Photo: DowntownStuart waterfront river view by Vasiliymeshko, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped

Roof inspection in Martin County, in short

In Martin County, with a median build year of 1986, many roofs are past 15 years. Get an inspection when you buy, sell, receive an insurer letter, or after a storm. The inspector reports covering, age, damage and remaining useful life, and you pay for it.

Sources for this answer

Martin County figures

The Martin County numbers behind this page

Median year homes were built
1986
Share of homes built before 1980
33.5%
Share of homes built 2010 or later
7.4%
Residents 65 and older
32.2%

Housing age

How old are Martin County roofs?

The Census Bureau puts the median Martin County home at 1986. Another 33.5 percent of homes went up before 1980. Just 7.4 percent were installed in 2010 or after. By our arithmetic, that leaves about 59 percent built between 1980 and 2009. Most of those roofs have been replaced at least once, but many are likely nearing the next replacement.

Age matters for who lives under these roofs. In the county, 32.2 percent of residents are 65 or older, and 79.6 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Owners on fixed budgets tend to find out about roof age when an insurer writes to them, not before. An inspection on your own schedule is easier than one forced by a renewal deadline.

Another 12.3 percent of units are seasonal or occasional-use homes. If you close your house for the summer, nobody is there to notice a ceiling stain in August, the wettest month at Stuart with 8.49 inches of rain. A yearly look at the roof before you leave makes sense.

Florida rules

The 15-year rule and the 4-point form: what they require

Under Fla. Stat. 627.7011(5), an insurer cannot refuse or non-renew a policy solely because a roof is under 15 years old. If your roof is older, the insurer has to allow an authorized inspector to examine it, and you pay for that inspection. When the inspection finds at least 5 years of useful life remaining, the insurer cannot deny coverage based on age alone.

Who counts as an authorized inspector depends on the insurer. The statute lists licensed home inspectors, building code inspectors, general or roofing contractors, engineers and architects. The insurer must approve the person. Ask your insurer or agent who qualifies before you hire anyone. Note too that Senate staff say this section does not apply to mobile home policies.

A roof section appears on the 4-point form. It records the covering, the roof's age, remaining useful life, the date of the last roofing permit, the percentage replaced, overall condition and a damage list. Citizens requires a 4-point inspection on properties more than 20 years old. With photos of each slope, the form can take the place of the separate Roof Inspection Form.

Citizens also draws a line by material. Shingle roofs over 25 years old, or tile, slate, clay, concrete and metal roofs over 50 years old, need documentation of at least five years of remaining life. What any of this means for your own policy is a question for your insurer or agent.

The inspection

What an inspector checks on your roof

The inspector works through the damage items insurers ask about: cracking, curling, heavy granule loss, exposed asphalt or felt, loose or missing tabs or tiles, and soft spots in the decking. Leaks show up as stains on the attic side of the decking and on interior ceilings. Photos of each slope go in the report.

A wind mitigation inspection is separate. It uses form OIR-B1-1802, valid for up to five years if nothing about the structure changes. It asks about roof shape, deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections and the sealed roof deck. Martin County is not in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, so the form sorts a home by its wind region instead.

  • Covering type and condition
  • Roof age and permit history
  • Remaining useful life
  • Attic-side signs of leaks
  • Deck nailing and roof-to-wall connectors, for wind mitigation

Timing

When to order an inspection in Martin County

Order one before you buy or sell, and when an insurer letter mentions roof age. After a storm, look for damage soon: a new property claim is barred unless notice reaches the insurer within 1 year of the loss. Martin County has had 13 FEMA declarations since 2016. Milton's tornadoes on Oct 9, 2024, damaged roofs near Port Salerno.

Repairs need paperwork too. Per the county's recovery permitting guide, temporary tarping needs no permit. Roof replacements and substantial roof repairs do, with fees waived and expedited review after a storm. Confirm current rules with the Martin County Building Department before work starts.

Be careful with offers. Under Fla. Stat. 489.147, a roofer cannot give you anything of value for an inspection, nor can they guide you on your coverage. Each residential roof contract must include a bold reminder to verify your coverage with your insurer before you sign.

Request a roof inspection

Inspections

Roof inspections by town in Martin County

Roof cost estimator

See a ballpark for your roof

Answer a few questions about your roof and see a ballpark built from published Florida cost data, then get your written estimate.

See a ballpark407-242-2840

Ranges come from published Florida cost guides. They are not South Fork Roofing's prices.

Questions

Roof inspections in Martin County: questions

Does Florida require a roof inspection when a roof reaches 15 years?

No law forces an inspection at 15 years. The rule in Fla. Stat. 627.7011(5) works for you: if your insurer questions a roof 15 years or older, you may have an authorized inspector check it at your expense. Age alone cannot be the reason to refuse or non-renew if 5 or more years of useful life remain. With a median build year of 1986 in Martin County, many homeowners may see this letter.

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: Roof inspections

Who can sign a roof inspection for my insurer in Martin County?

The insurer must approve the inspector. The statute lists licensed home inspectors, building code inspectors, general, building or residential contractors, roofing contractors, engineers and architects. Citizens' Roof Inspection Form accepts a contractor, building code inspector or Florida-licensed home inspector. Martin County had 81,371 housing units counted in the 2020 Census, so inspection requests can be heavy, which is one more reason to start early. Ask your insurer or agent for its list first, then check the person's license on the state's lookup.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (POP100, HU100) via TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 layer 82 (Counties), read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof inspections

What is the difference between a roof inspection and a wind mitigation inspection?

A roof inspection reports condition, age, damage and remaining life. A wind mitigation inspection records how the roof is built: deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections, roof shape and any sealed roof deck. It uses form OIR-B1-1802, valid up to five years if the structure does not change. Insurers must offer credits for qualifying features, but what you receive is between you and your insurer. In Martin County, 54.2 percent of homes are single-family detached.

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: Roof inspections

Does the 15-year rule apply to my mobile home?

Senate staff note that Fla. Stat. 627.7011(5) does not apply to mobile home policies. Mobile homes are 8.8 percent of Martin County's housing units, so this matters locally. Citizens also demands a 4-point inspection for mobile home applications on properties over 20 years old. Ask your insurer or agent what roof documentation your policy needs.

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: Roof inspections

Do I need a permit to tarp my roof after a storm in Martin County?

No. Martin County's recovery permitting guide says temporary tarping needs no permit. Roof replacements and substantial roof repairs do. After a storm, fees are waived and review is expedited. Stuart's Hurricane Matthew gust was 53 knots, and Nicole reached 54 knots at the House of Refuge station. Confirm details with the Martin County Building Department.

Source: Martin County, Hurricane and Tropical Storm Recovery Permitting Guide, read Oct 5, 2026

Related: Roof inspections

Martin County

More in Martin County

Sources for this page(63)
  1. 1.Median year homes were built: 1986. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25035, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  2. 2.Share of homes built before 1980: 33.5%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25034, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  3. 3.Share of homes built 2010 or later: 7.4%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25034, 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.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.
  8. 8.Residents 65 and older: 32.2%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B01001, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  9. 9.Owner-occupied share of occupied homes: 79.6% (53,998 of 67,801). U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25003, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  10. 10.U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25004, B01001, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  11. 11.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.
  12. 12.NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (access data service). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  13. 13.Mobile homes, share of housing units: 8.8%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25024, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  14. 14.FEMA disaster and emergency declarations since 2016 (excluding COVID-19): EM-3377 Hurricane Matthew; EM-3385 Hurricane Irma; EM-3419 Hurricane Dorian; EM-3533 Hurricane Isaias; EM-3584 Tropical Storm Ian; EM-3587 Tropical Storm Nicole; EM-3622 Hurricane Milton; DR-4283 Hurricane Matthew; DR-4337 Hurricane Irma; DR-4468 Hurricane Dorian; DR-4673 Hurricane Ian; DR-4680 Hurricane Nicole; DR-4834 Hurricane Milton. OpenFEMA DisasterDeclarationsSummaries v2 (declarations since 2016-01-01 for this county). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  15. 15.Hurricane Milton (2024). NOAA Storm Prediction Center, preliminary storm reports 2024-10-09. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  16. 16.Hurricane Matthew (2016). NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Matthew (AL142016). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  17. 17.Martin County, Hurricane and Tropical Storm Recovery Permitting Guide. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  18. 18.Permit office: Martin County Building Department. Martin County Building Department. Read Oct 10, 2026.
  19. 19.People (2020 Census): 158,431. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (POP100, HU100) via TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 layer 82 (Counties). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  20. 20.Single-family detached share of housing units: 54.2%. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates (2020-2024), table B25024, via Census Reporter API. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  21. 21.Housing units (2020 Census): 81,371. U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (POP100, HU100) via TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 layer 82 (Counties). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  22. 22.Florida Statutes, section 627.7011 (2026). Read Oct 4, 2026.
  23. 23.Insp4pt 03 25. Read Oct 4, 2026.
  24. 24.Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Read Oct 4, 2026.
  25. 25.Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, inspections FAQ (updated 2026-03-17). Read Oct 4, 2026.
  26. 26.Citizens 4-Point Inspection Form, Sample Form Insp4pt 03 25. Read Oct 4, 2026.
  27. 27.Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  28. 28.OIR form. Read Oct 4, 2026.
  29. 29.Florida Statutes, section 627.70132 (2026). Read Oct 4, 2026.
  30. 30.Florida Statutes, section 489.147 (2026). Read Oct 4, 2026.
  31. 31.Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  32. 32.Florida Statutes, section 627.0629 (2026). Read Oct 4, 2026.
  33. 33.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Dorian (AL052019), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  34. 34.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Nicole (AL172022), NOAA National Hurricane Center. 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 Storm Prediction Center, preliminary storm reports 2024-10-09, NOAA. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  37. 37.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Matthew (AL142016), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  38. 38.Martin County Building Department, Martin County Building Department. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  39. 39.Fla. Stat. 489.147-, Florida Legislature. Read Oct 4, 2026.
  40. 40.U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (POP100, HU100) via TIGERweb tigerWMS_Census2020 layer 82 (Counties), U.S. Census Bureau. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  41. 41.miamidade.gov, miamidade.gov. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  42. 42.FRSA, "New 2023 FBC Eighth Edition is Now in Effect", 2024-02-13, floridaroof.com. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  43. 43.Miami-Dade County RER notice, Miami. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  44. 44.Florida Statutes, section 553.842 (2026), Florida Legislature. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  45. 45.Florida Building Commission, Florida Building Commission. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  46. 46.2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 15 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription), UpCodes (Florida Building Code transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  47. 47.2023 Florida Building Code, Building, 8th ed., Chapter 1 (UpCodes viewer, unofficial transcription), UpCodes (Florida Building Code transcription). Read Oct 5, 2026.
  48. 48.Florida Statutes, section 713.135 (2026), Florida Legislature. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  49. 49.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian (AL092022), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  50. 50.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Irma (AL112017), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  51. 51.NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (access data service), NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  52. 52.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Climatology, NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  53. 53.NWS Miami, Weather Safety - Lightning, National Weather Service. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  54. 54.OpenFEMA FIMA NFIP Redacted Policies v2 (count query: effective on or before and terminating after 2026-10-05), FEMA. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  55. 55.OpenFEMA FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims v2 (count query), FEMA. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  56. 56.U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, county annual file co2020a.txt (estimates with imputation), U.S. Census Bureau. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  57. 57.U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey county annual files (co2025a.txt, co2020a.txt), U.S. Census Bureau. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  58. 58.City of Stuart, East Stuart Historic District, City of Stuart. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  59. 59.NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Isaias (AL092020), NOAA National Hurricane Center. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  60. 60.Wikipedia, 'List of municipalities in Florida' (cross-checked against Census 2020 TIGER incorporated places), Wikipedia. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  61. 61.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.
  62. 62.Wikipedia, 'Martin County, Florida' (revision 1375299623), Wikipedia. Read Oct 5, 2026.
  63. 63.Florida Statutes, section 489.113 (2026), Florida Legislature. Read Oct 5, 2026.

South Fork Roofing

Roof inspections in Martin County

Answer a few questions about the job, or call.

Request a quote407-242-2840
CallGet a quote