Direct Answer
During a commercial re-roof in Florida, the building department typically requires inspections at specific stages so the inspector can verify concealed work before it is covered and confirm the completed roof complies with the approved permit and applicable Florida Building Code requirements.
At a minimum, Florida roofing inspection guidance identifies the roofing inspection as covering dry-in, insulation, roof coverings, and flashings. Local building departments may divide these into separate inspections, require an in-progress inspection, or require additional inspections depending on the roof system, permit scope, project size, jurisdiction, and whether decking or other components are being replaced.
For example, Orlando’s commercial re-roofing information states that commercial re-roof permits require a minimum of two inspections: a roof-in-progress inspection covering sheathing, underlayment and flashing, followed by a final inspection. Palm Beach County similarly identifies dry-in, insulation, roof coverings, flashing and sheathing among its roofing inspection components. [Florida Building Commission — Roofing Inspection Guidance](https://floridabuilding.org/fbc/commission/FBC_0506/Education_POC/a3_shingles/0-MATERIALS-Roofing4.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Who This Applies To
- Commercial property owners
- General contractors
- Commercial roofing contractors
- Developers and owners’ representatives
- Property and facility managers
- Construction managers
- Owners completing permitted commercial re-roofing projects
Not for: This is general Florida commercial roofing inspection guidance. The exact inspection sequence, inspection codes, affidavits, photographs, and additional requirements are established by the local building department having jurisdiction over the project.
1. Confirm the Required Inspections Before Work Starts
Before removing the existing roof, confirm the inspection schedule with the local building department and the roofing contractor.
The permit package should be reviewed for:
- Required inspection types
- Inspection codes
- Required inspection sequence
- Whether inspections are in-person, virtual, or either
- Required affidavits or photographs
- Whether additional inspections are triggered by the scope
- Requirements for roof decking or sheathing
- Final inspection requirements
Do not assume that another Florida jurisdiction uses the exact same inspection codes or scheduling procedure.
2. Roof-In-Progress or Dry-In Inspection
The most important inspection opportunity occurs while portions of the roof assembly are still visible.
Depending on the jurisdiction and roof system, the inspector may need to verify items such as:
- Existing or replacement sheathing
- Deck attachment or required fastening
- Underlayment
- Dry-in materials
- Flashing
- Roof-to-wall transitions
- Penetration details
- Other concealed components required by the approved scope
Orlando’s commercial re-roofing requirements identify the roof-in-progress inspection as covering sheathing, underlayment and flashing. [City of Orlando — Commercial Re-Roofing Information Form](https://www.orlando.gov/files/sharedassets/public/departments/edv/permitting-services-division/bld/commercial-re-roofing-form-march-2018-interactive.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
3. Sheathing or Roof Deck Inspection
If the project exposes or replaces roof decking, the building department may require the inspector to verify the deck and its fastening before the work becomes concealed.
This can be particularly important when:
- Damaged decking is being replaced
- Additional fasteners are required
- The existing deck is being modified
- The project triggers existing-building-code requirements
- The approved permit documents specific sheathing work
Some jurisdictions permit specific contractor affidavits for certain re-roof sheathing fastening work, while others require an inspection. Palm Beach County, for example, identifies sheathing as part of its roofing inspection requirements and provides for a possible re-roof sheathing affidavit at the building official’s discretion. [Palm Beach County — Roofing Inspection Requirements](https://library.municode.com/fl/palm_beach_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
4. Dry-In and Underlayment Inspection
The inspector may need to verify that the roof has been properly dried-in before the final roof covering conceals the underlying materials.
This can include checking:
- Underlayment installation
- Dry-in materials
- Required overlaps
- Flashing integration
- Roof penetrations
- Edges and transitions
Pinellas County states that its in-progress inspection occurs after the dry-in has been applied and the roof has been loaded, allowing the county to review the underlayment and/or final roofing material while installation is underway. [Pinellas County — Roofing Inspection Policies](https://pinellas.gov/roofing-inspection-policies?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
5. Flashing Inspection
Flashing is a critical part of the inspection because many water-intrusion problems originate at transitions rather than in the middle of the roof field.
Inspectors may review flashing at:
- Roof edges
- Walls
- Parapets
- Curbs
- Penetrations
- Drains
- Scuppers
- Equipment supports
- Other roof-to-building transitions
Florida roofing inspection guidance specifically identifies flashings as one of the minimum components of a roofing inspection. [Florida Building Commission — Roofing Inspection Guidance](https://floridabuilding.org/fbc/commission/FBC_0506/Education_POC/a3_shingles/0-MATERIALS-Roofing4.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
6. Insulation Inspection When Required
Where insulation is part of the permitted roofing assembly or energy-code compliance documentation, the inspection process may include verification of insulation.
This can involve:
- Insulation type
- Insulation thickness
- Installation location
- Continuity
- Compliance with the approved assembly
Florida roofing inspection guidance identifies insulation among the minimum roofing inspection components, while local jurisdictions may provide more specific requirements based on the project. [Florida Building Commission — Roofing Inspection Guidance](https://floridabuilding.org/fbc/commission/FBC_0506/Education_POC/a3_shingles/0-MATERIALS-Roofing4.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
7. Roof Covering or In-Progress Inspection
Depending on the jurisdiction, the building department may inspect the roof covering while installation is underway rather than waiting until everything is complete.
This gives the inspector an opportunity to verify items such as:
- Roofing material installation
- Fastening
- Seams
- Attachment patterns
- Flashing integration
- Manufacturer-required installation details
- Other visible components required by the approved system
For large commercial roofs, multiple in-progress inspections may be necessary because the roof is often installed in phases. Seminole County specifically notes that large commercial flat roof systems may require two or more in-progress inspections so inspectors can view all required elements before they become concealed. [Seminole County — Re-Roof Process Guidance](https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/docs/default-source/pdf/bldgofficialltrnewre-roofprocessada.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
8. Final Roofing Inspection
After the roofing work is complete, the building department conducts the final inspection required by the permit.
The final inspection generally verifies that:
- The permitted roofing work has been completed
- The installed system is substantially complete
- Required inspections have passed
- Required corrections have been completed
- The final installation complies with the approved scope
- Required documentation has been submitted
The Florida Building Code identifies the final inspection as occurring after the work required by the building permit has been completed. [Florida Building Commission — Florida Building Code Inspection Provisions](https://floridabuilding.org/Upload/FBC/CodeID_7792_e9ea_UCF-8TH_ED_2023_FBC_BLDG_CH_1–2024-01-02.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
9. Additional Inspections May Apply
The basic roofing inspection sequence does not necessarily cover every inspection required for a particular commercial project.
Additional inspections may be triggered by:
- Structural deck replacement
- Electrical work
- Mechanical equipment relocation
- Rooftop HVAC work
- Structural modifications
- Roof-mounted equipment
- Solar installations
- Flood-zone requirements
- Energy-code requirements
- Other work included in the permit
The exact requirements depend on the permitted scope and the authority having jurisdiction.
10. Large Commercial Roofs May Need Multiple In-Progress Inspections
Commercial roofs are often too large to expose every required component at one inspection.
A building department may therefore require the roofing contractor to coordinate multiple inspections as different sections of the roof progress.
Seminole County specifically explains that large commercial flat roof systems historically installed in phases may require two or more in-progress inspections so inspectors can verify all required elements. [Seminole County — Re-Roof Process Guidance](https://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/docs/default-source/pdf/bldgofficialltrnewre-roofprocessada.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
11. Do Not Cover Work Before the Required Inspection
One of the biggest construction risks is covering a component before the building department has had the required opportunity to inspect it.
If concealed work cannot be verified, the jurisdiction may require portions of the roof to be opened or additional documentation to be provided.
Orlando warns that a re-roof project that does not receive the required dry-in inspection may be disapproved at final inspection and could require removal of some or all roof covering to allow inspection of concealed work. [City of Orlando — Re-Roof Inspection Requirements](https://www.orlando.gov/Building-Development/Permits-Inspections/Other/Apply-for-a-Residential-Roof-Permit?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
12. Coordinate Inspections With the Roofing Schedule
The roofing contractor and GC should plan inspection requests around the actual installation sequence.
A practical sequence is:
- Obtain the approved re-roof permit.
- Confirm required inspection types.
- Schedule the in-progress inspection before concealed work is covered.
- Expose the required components for inspection.
- Correct any deficiencies identified by the inspector.
- Continue installation after the required inspection is approved.
- Schedule additional in-progress inspections if required for phased work.
- Complete the permitted roof scope.
- Schedule the final inspection.
- Retain the inspection approvals and closeout documentation.
13. Keep the Inspection Record With the Roof Closeout File
Owners should retain the building department inspection record as part of the permanent roof file.
Keep:
- Roof permit
- Approved plans and specifications
- Inspection approvals
- Inspection photographs where applicable
- Contractor affidavits
- Material documentation
- Final inspection approval
- Roof warranty documents
- Product approvals where applicable
- Roofing closeout documentation
This documentation can become valuable later for warranty administration, insurance underwriting, property sale, refinancing, due diligence, and future roof repairs.
14. Florida Jurisdictions Do Not All Use the Same Inspection Process
There is an important distinction between the Florida Building Code’s baseline requirements and the procedures established by the local building department.
For example:
- Orlando’s commercial re-roof information identifies a roof-in-progress inspection and final inspection.
- Pinellas County requires an in-progress inspection and specifies when it should occur.
- Polk County provides specific procedures for in-progress and final inspections.
- Seminole County notes that large commercial roofs may require multiple in-progress inspections.
- Other jurisdictions may use different inspection codes, affidavits, virtual inspections, or additional inspection steps.
Therefore, the project team should always confirm the current requirements with the building department having jurisdiction rather than relying on an inspection sequence from another Florida county or city.
15. What Happens If an Inspection Fails?
If the inspector identifies a deficiency, the contractor generally needs to correct the work before the applicable inspection can be approved.
Document:
- The deficiency
- The inspector’s comments
- The corrective work
- Photographs where appropriate
- The reinspection
- The final approval
Do not simply proceed to cover a failed inspection item without resolving the building department’s comments.
Bottom Line
For a Florida commercial re-roof, the building department’s inspection process is designed to verify important roofing components before they become concealed and to confirm the completed roof complies with the permitted scope.
The core inspection areas include dry-in/underlayment, insulation where applicable, roof coverings, flashings, and—in some jurisdictions or project scopes—sheathing, followed by a final inspection. Large commercial roofs may require multiple in-progress inspections.
The exact sequence is jurisdiction-specific, so the GC and roofing contractor should confirm the inspection requirements with the local building department before starting work. This is particularly important for large commercial flat roofs installed in phases.
Related Questions
- What is a pre-installation roofing conference, and why does it matter?
- What does a GC need to know about manufacturer warranty inspections on a new commercial roof?
- What roofing closeout documents should a GC collect before turnover?
Sources
- Florida Building Commission — Roofing Inspection Guidance
- City of Orlando — Commercial Re-Roofing Information Form
- Pinellas County — Roofing Inspection Policies
- Seminole County — Re-Roof Process Guidance
- City of Tampa — Commercial Roof Inspections
Last reviewed: October 2026
Related Resources
Manufacturer Warranty Inspections on New Commercial Roofs
Need Commercial Roofing Help?
ShieldLine Roofing can help commercial owners, GCs and developers coordinate permitted re-roofing work, inspection requirements, quality-control documentation and roofing closeout records.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes and is not building-code, engineering, legal, insurance, or permitting advice. Inspection requirements vary by jurisdiction, permit scope, roof system and project conditions. Confirm the current requirements with the building department having jurisdiction over the project.
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