Commercial roofing in Longboat Key, FL

The Town of Longboat Key Building Division is listed as the roof permit office for this town. After Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, the Town requires a FEMA Substantial Damage/Improvement form with every building permit, and repairs subject to that review must go through the Town.

Reroofing a building has a 25 percent limit. Not more than 25 percent of the roof area in any 12-month period may be repaired or replaced unless the whole roof is covered. If your existing roof was built to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, only the new section must meet current code.

For new built-up, modified bitumen, single-ply and liquid-applied low-slope roofs, Florida code requires a minimum design slope of one-fourth unit in 12, which equals 2 percent. A flat roof that drains slower than that will hold water, and the roof must drain within 48 hours of rain.

• Ask each bidder how the new roof reaches the 2 percent minimum slope.
• Ask whether emergency overflow drains or scuppers are needed where parapets trap water.
• Ask how metal edges will be tested for wind loads under Chapter 16.

Sarasota County and Manatee County annual rain averages about 49 to 51 inches. About 60 percent of that falls from June through September. Plan drains for heavy summer rain, not only average conditions.