4:12Permits · cool roof · Class A
Re-Roof Permits and Rules in Walnut Creek and Nearby
Every re-roof in this area needs a building permit and inspections. On top of that, two state rules decide which products you can use: the cool-roof rule when 50% or more of a roof is replaced, and the Class A rule in very high fire hazard zones when more than 50% is replaced within a year.
4:12By city
Permit and fire-zone table
| Where | Permit | Fire hazard (2025 maps) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek | Required for re-roofing (City FAQs) | Not on the state's 2025 very-high city list (LNM) | Climate Zone 12: state cool-roof rule applies at 50%+ |
| Unincorporated County Alamo, Blackhawk, Diablo and others | "Required for all re-roof installations and repairs prior to beginning work" (County) | Check the ConFire or SRVFPD map for your parcel | Cool roof for slopes over 2:12 east of the Berkeley Hills/El Sobrante ridge; two inspections |
| Lafayette | City permit; plan check and inspections by the County Building Inspection Department (City) | 41 acres very high; map effective July 10, 2025 (City map) | County: areas requiring Class A or B roofs, check with City |
| Orinda | City permit; ask the City about roof-class areas | On the 2025 very-high list; see MOFD maps | County: areas requiring Class A or B roofs, check with City |
| Moraga | Town permit | On the 2025 very-high list; MOFD ordinances | Fire district ordinances may add requirements |
| Danville | Town permit (Permit Center) | On the 2025 very-high list; Town code chapter 10-8 | HOA approval common for color/material changes |
| Concord | City permit (Permit Center) | On the 2025 very-high list (City FHSZ page) | Check your parcel on the map |
| Clayton | City permit (Building) | On the 2025 very-high list | Check your parcel on the map |
| Pleasant Hill | City permit; confirm with the City | Not on the state's 2025 very-high city list (LNM) | Climate Zone 12 cool-roof rule |
Source: city lists from the state's 2025 Local Responsibility Area maps as reported by Local News Matters; zones are mapped parcel by parcel, so check your address.
5:12Cool roof
California's cool-roof rule for re-roofs
Contra Costa County: "Replacement, recovering, or recoating of roofs sloped steeper than 2:12 and located east of the Berkeley Hills/El Sobrante ridge are to be cool roofs" (County). Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Danville and their neighbors sit east of that ridge in Climate Zone 12. BayREN's guide: "Cool roofing requirements are triggered when 50% or more of the roof is being replaced."
| Roof type | Aged solar reflectance | Thermal emittance | Or SRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steep slope (Climate Zones 4, 8–15) | ≥ 0.20 | ≥ 0.75 | ≥ 16 |
| Low slope (alterations, Climate Zone 12) | ≥ 0.63 | ≥ 0.75 | ≥ 75 |
Source: BayREN: Residential Roofing, Guide to 2022 Energy Code Requirements. These values are from the 2022 Energy Code; the 2025 code took effect January 1, 2026, so confirm current values and exceptions (heavy roofs of 25 lb/sq ft or more, areas under solar panels, insulation trade-offs) with the building department.
In practice, most asphalt shingle, tile and metal lines include rated cool colors. Ask the roofer for the product's rating from the Cool Roof Rating Council listing.
10:12Class A
The Class A rule in very high fire zones
HSC §13132.7 requires at least a Class A roof covering in very high fire hazard severity zones on existing structures "where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period," and for roof coverings applied in alterations, repairs or replacement (statute).
In the 2025 code cycle (effective January 1, 2026), the wildfire construction rules formerly in Chapter 7A / CRC R337 moved into the new California Wildland-Urban Interface Code; ask the building department which section applies to your project.
3:12Inspections
What inspections look like
Contra Costa County requires two: an in-progress inspection at a set stage (for composition roofs, partway through the job) and a final after completion. Both need ladder access for the inspector.
On slopes between 2:12 and 4:12 the County calls for two layers of underlayment.
Make sure the bid includes the permit · permit fees and costs
Sources
- City of Walnut Creek: Building Permit FAQs
- Contra Costa County: Residential Re-Roof Requirements
- BayREN: Residential Roofing, Guide to 2022 Energy Code Requirements
- California Health & Safety Code §13132.7 (FindLaw)
- City of Lafayette: Building Permits
- City of Lafayette: Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map
- Moraga-Orinda Fire District: LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps
- Moraga-Orinda Fire District: Ordinances & Resolutions
- Town of Danville: Permit Center
- Danville Municipal Code 10-8: Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- City of Concord: Permit Center
- City of Concord: Fire Hazard Severity Zones
- City of Clayton: Building
- Local News Matters: 12 Contra Costa cities have very high fire hazard severity areas (Feb. 28, 2025)
3:12FAQ
Questions homeowners ask
Who pulls the permit for a re-roof?
Normally the licensed roofing contractor, and the bid should say so and include the fee. Homeowners can pull an owner-builder permit, but then they take on the responsibilities of the builder. Be cautious if a contractor asks you to pull the permit yourself.
What inspections does a re-roof need?
In Contra Costa County jurisdictions, two: an in-progress inspection at a set stage of the work, and a final inspection after completion, both requiring ladder access (County re-roof requirements). Cities set their own inspection steps.
Does a roof repair need a permit?
In unincorporated Contra Costa County, yes: "a permit is required for all re-roof installations and repairs prior to beginning work." Walnut Creek's FAQ lists re-roofing as permit work; for small repairs, ask the City's Building Division (Walnut Creek FAQs).
12:12Quote
Want a roofer who handles the permit?
Licensed roofers normally pull the re-roof permit and schedule the inspections. Send your details and a local roofer can call.
- Composition, tile, flat and metal roofs
- Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Danville and nearby
- Prefer to talk? (925) 281-5910