Roof Replacement — Washington license requirements
01 The project
The starting point is the work itself — Roof Replacement in Washington. The job determines which trades are involved, and the trades determine which license classifications may be required.
| Component | Trade |
|---|---|
| Roof cover system | Roofing |
02 Jurisdiction
This project is evaluated for Washington — the registration-plus-trade-credential state. Construction contractors hold the ch. 18.27 contractor registration (no exam, $30k/$15k bond by class), while electrical (ch. 19.28) and plumbing (ch. 18.106) run through their own contractor licences and certified individuals under L&I. The $500 and $2,000 bands decide small jobs, RCW 18.27.130 preempts local contractor licences, and RCW 18.27.110 makes the local permit issuer verify the registration. Washington jurisdiction page.
Permit fees, plan-review timelines and every locality beyond Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver and Bellevue remain LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED; Spokane was researched from search-result snippets and its official PDF, a disclosed limitation. The statewide electrical work-permit fee schedule is NOT_VERIFIED. Without a job-site location the local permit answer is NOT_DETERMINED, never a guess. State requirements are not the complete story for any locality.
03 Trade → license
Relations below are recorded per state — only this jurisdiction's classifications are shown.
Trades involved: Roofing.
- May require SPECIALTY-ROOFING — Roofing (specialty) confirmed S-WA-WAC-296-200A-016 rule WA-REG-REQUIREDRoofing is a WAC 296-200A-016(44) SPECIALTY: register in the roofing class ($15,000 bond + $250k-form GL + $150.20), perform roofing only, no structural truss/beam/joist repair (SCOPE-WA-ROOFING-NO-TRUSS — framing specialty (23) or GC takes that limb). Ads must show the current registration number (WA-AD-NUMBER); NOTICE TO CUSTOMER at ≥$1,000 residential (WA-DISCLOSURE-1K); permit issuance verifies + prints the registration number (WA-PERMIT-VERIFY, RCW 18.27.110) (research §N.1).
- Alternative path GENERAL-CONTRACTOR — General Contractor (ch. 18.27 registration class) confirmed S-WA-18-27-010 rule WA-GC-SCOPEA general-class registrant may also do the job (roofing is a building trade or craft; the GC class exists for >1-trade jobs, RCW 18.27.010(5)) with the $30,000 bond. Homeowner on own property: RCW 18.27.090(12)/(13) exemption — but an owner employing MORE THAN ONE trade on a single job/permit is themselves a contractor (18.27.010(1)(a)); <$500 aggregate is exempt (WA-MINOR-500) (research §N.1).
04 Scope
What the official sources say about the work involved — typed assertions, never a boolean "covers". Interpretations are marked as such.
- Officially included GENERAL-CONTRACTOR More Than One Building Trade Or Craft On A Single Job Or Permit Or Superintending Consulting (may_perform) RCW 18.27.010(5) / (1)(a) S-WA-18-27-010 The general-contractor class definition — Washington uses 'registration' and 'class', never a 'general contractor license' (research §B/§D.1).
- Officially excluded SPECIALTY-ROOFING Structural Repair Of Trusses Beams Or Joists (may_not_perform) WAC 296-200A-016(44) S-WA-WAC-296-200A-016 The roofing specialty's own statutory-style limit — the structural-repair question on the roof-replacement page is a negative from the credential's own text, not our reading (research §N.1).
05 Requirements
| Requirement | Kind | Statement | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contractor REGISTRATION required to advertise, bid or perform construction work — gross misdemeanor without it RCW 18.27.020 + RCW 18.27.010(1)(a) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | registration | RCW 18.27.020 verbatim: 'Every contractor shall register with the department.' It is a gross misdemeanor to advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid or perform work as an unregistered contractor, with separate counts per day per worksite after citation, and it is unlawful to subcontract to or use an unregistered contractor (corroborated as an infraction by RCW 18.27.200(1): 'Subcontract to, or use, an unregistered contractor'). 'Contractor' is defined expansively (RCW 18.27.010(1)(a)): any entity that in pursuit of an independent business undertakes/offers/bids to construct, alter, repair, improve, move, wreck or demolish any building or structure 'including the installation of carpeting or other floor covering, the erection of scaffolding …, the installation or repair of roofing or siding, performing tree removal services, or cabinet or similar installation; or, who, to do similar work upon his or her own property, employs members of more than one trade upon a single job or project or under a single building permit.' | S-WA-18-27-020Source S-WA-18-27-020 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.27.020 — Registration required — Prohibited acts — Criminal penalty — RCW 18.27.020 + RCW 18.27.010(1)(a) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.020 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read 2026-10-04: 'Every contractor shall register with the department.' Gross misdemeanor to advertise, offer, bid or work unregistered; separate counts per day per worksite after citation; unlawful to subcontract to or use an unregistered contractor; hiring an already-registered contractor that later lapses is allowed until written notice. Backs REQ-WA-REGISTRATION-REQUIRED-001 and rule WA-REG-REQUIRED. |
| General contractor class — more than one building trade or craft on a single job/permit (or superintending/consulting) RCW 18.27.010(5) + L&I Register-as-a-Contractor verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | registration | RCW 18.27.010(5) verbatim: 'General contractor' means a contractor whose business operations require the use of more than one building trade or craft upon a single job or project or under a single building permit. A general contractor also includes one who superintends, or consults on, in whole or in part, work falling within the definition of a contractor. L&I: 'General contractors can perform most types of construction work. They can hire subcontractors in multiple specialties. However, contractors working with plumbing, electrical, elevators, mobile home installation, boilers, and asbestos have additional requirements for education, examination, and licensing.' | S-WA-18-27-010Source S-WA-18-27-010 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.27.010 — Definitions — RCW 18.27.010(5) + L&I Register-as-a-Contractor verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.010 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read in full 2026-10-04. (1)(a) 'contractor' verbatim includes construction/alteration/repair/… 'including the installation of carpeting or other floor covering, the erection of scaffolding …, the installation or repair of roofing or siding, performing tree removal services, or cabinet or similar installation; or, who, to do similar work upon his or her own property, employs members of more than one trade upon a single job or project or under a single building permit'; (1)(b) consultant acting as GC; (1)(c) selling improved property within 1 year = contractor. (5) 'general contractor' = >1 building trade or craft on a single job/permit, or superintends/consults. (10) 'residential homeowner'. (12) 'specialty contractor' = operations outside the GC definition; 'may only subcontract work that is incidental'. (15) 'unregistered contractor' incl. expired/suspended/revoked — NOT one whose registration lapsed ≤30 days with bond+insurance maintained. (16) unsatisfied final judgment. (17) 'verification' (registration card/database/call). History shows [2026 c 77 s 1] (research §Q). |
| Specialty contractor class — one registered specialty only, incidental subcontracting, no hiring of subcontractors RCW 18.27.010(12) + L&I Register-as-a-Contractor verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | registration | RCW 18.27.010(12) verbatim: 'Specialty contractor' means a contractor whose operations do not fall within the definition of 'general contractor'. 'A specialty contractor may only subcontract work that is incidental to the specialty contractor's work.' L&I: 'Specialty contractors can only perform work in the specialty they are registered in. They cannot hire subcontractors.' Scope of each specialty is defined by WAC 296-200A-016 (63 classifications — the classifications page). | S-WA-18-27-010Source S-WA-18-27-010 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.27.010 — Definitions — RCW 18.27.010(12) + L&I Register-as-a-Contractor verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.010 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read in full 2026-10-04. (1)(a) 'contractor' verbatim includes construction/alteration/repair/… 'including the installation of carpeting or other floor covering, the erection of scaffolding …, the installation or repair of roofing or siding, performing tree removal services, or cabinet or similar installation; or, who, to do similar work upon his or her own property, employs members of more than one trade upon a single job or project or under a single building permit'; (1)(b) consultant acting as GC; (1)(c) selling improved property within 1 year = contractor. (5) 'general contractor' = >1 building trade or craft on a single job/permit, or superintends/consults. (10) 'residential homeowner'. (12) 'specialty contractor' = operations outside the GC definition; 'may only subcontract work that is incidental'. (15) 'unregistered contractor' incl. expired/suspended/revoked — NOT one whose registration lapsed ≤30 days with bond+insurance maintained. (16) unsatisfied final judgment. (17) 'verification' (registration card/database/call). History shows [2026 c 77 s 1] (research §Q). |
| Owner exemptions — own property/personal residence, owner maintenance, hiring a registered contractor (with the resale/lease carve-outs) RCW 18.27.090(8)-(16) + RCW 18.27.010(1)(a) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | exemption | RCW 18.27.090 (all seventeen read 2026-10-04), the core owner bands: (11) 'An owner who contracts for a project with a registered contractor' — 'this exemption shall not apply to a person who performs the activities of a contractor for the purpose of leasing or selling improved property he or she has owned for less than twelve months'; (12) 'Any person working on his or her own property, whether occupied by him or her or not, and any person working on his or her personal residence … this exemption shall not apply to any person who performs the activities of a contractor on his or her own property for the purpose of selling, demolishing, or leasing the property'; (13) 'An owner who performs maintenance, repair, and alteration work in or upon his or her own properties, or who uses his or her own employees to do such work.' BUT RCW 18.27.010(1)(a): an owner who, to do similar work on their own property, 'employs members of more than one trade upon a single job or project or under a single building permit' IS a contractor. | S-WA-18-27-090Source S-WA-18-27-090 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.27.090 — Exemptions (all seventeen) — RCW 18.27.090(8)-(16) + RCW 18.27.010(1)(a) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.090 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read in full 2026-10-04 — the registration exemptions: (1) government reps; (2) court officers; (3) UTC-regulated utilities (incidental); (4) petroleum/gas/mining by owner-lessee; (5) finished products not becoming part of a structure; (6) personal property by owner / ch. 46.70 dealers; (7) federal sites; (8) materials/supplies/equipment only; (9) <$500 aggregate per project — 'casual, minor, or inconsequential' with anti-evasion AND no-advertising-as-a-contractor conditions; (10) farming/irrigation/rural fire clearing; (11) owner hiring a registered contractor (not for leasing/selling improved property owned <12 months); (12) own property/personal residence (NOT for selling, demolishing, leasing); (13) owner maintenance/repair/alteration on own properties or own employees; (14) architect/engineer in professional capacity, WA-certified electrician, WA-certified plumber (or locally licensed within its boundaries) — scope-limited to their certification; (15) employee with wages as sole compensation; (16) RCW 47.28.070 prequalified highway contractors; (17) mobile/manufactured home dealers subcontracting to registered contractors. Backs REQ-WA-MINOR-500-001, REQ-WA-HOMEOWNER-001 and rules WA-MINOR-500 / WA-OWN-PROPERTY. |
| $500 statutory minor-work exemption — casual/minor/inconsequential projects, with anti-evasion and no-advertising conditions RCW 18.27.090(9) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | exemption | RCW 18.27.090(9) verbatim: 'Any work or operation on one undertaking or project by one or more contracts, the aggregate contract price of which for labor and materials and all other items is less than five hundred dollars, such work or operations being considered as of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature.' The exemption 'does not apply in any instance wherein the work or construction is only a part of a larger or major operation … or in which a division of the operation is made into contracts of amounts less than five hundred dollars for the purpose of evasion of this chapter or otherwise. The exemption … does not apply to a person who advertises or puts out any sign or card or other device which might indicate to the public that he or she is a contractor, or that he or she is qualified to engage in the business of contractor.' | S-WA-18-27-090Source S-WA-18-27-090 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.27.090 — Exemptions (all seventeen) — RCW 18.27.090(9) verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.090 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read in full 2026-10-04 — the registration exemptions: (1) government reps; (2) court officers; (3) UTC-regulated utilities (incidental); (4) petroleum/gas/mining by owner-lessee; (5) finished products not becoming part of a structure; (6) personal property by owner / ch. 46.70 dealers; (7) federal sites; (8) materials/supplies/equipment only; (9) <$500 aggregate per project — 'casual, minor, or inconsequential' with anti-evasion AND no-advertising-as-a-contractor conditions; (10) farming/irrigation/rural fire clearing; (11) owner hiring a registered contractor (not for leasing/selling improved property owned <12 months); (12) own property/personal residence (NOT for selling, demolishing, leasing); (13) owner maintenance/repair/alteration on own properties or own employees; (14) architect/engineer in professional capacity, WA-certified electrician, WA-certified plumber (or locally licensed within its boundaries) — scope-limited to their certification; (15) employee with wages as sole compensation; (16) RCW 47.28.070 prequalified highway contractors; (17) mobile/manufactured home dealers subcontracting to registered contractors. Backs REQ-WA-MINOR-500-001, REQ-WA-HOMEOWNER-001 and rules WA-MINOR-500 / WA-OWN-PROPERTY. |
| Permit issuance must VERIFY the state credential, PRINT its number and give written risk notice — building permits (18.27.110) and plumbing permits (18.106.440) RCW 18.27.110 + RCW 18.106.440 + RCW 19.28.101/.141 (read 2026-10-04) | permit | RCW 18.27.110 (read 2026-10-04): no city/town/county may issue a construction building permit for registrable work without verifying current registration; the issuer must print the registration number on the permit and give the applicant written notice of the homeowner's risk; falsifying exemption information forfeits the permit. RCW 18.106.440 (read in full): the identical duty for PLUMBING permits — verify current plumbing contractor license, print the license number, written notice of license laws and homeowner risk, falsified exemption → permit forfeited. 'Verification' is defined in RCW 18.27.010(17): copying a current-on-its-face registration card, checking the L&I registration database, or calling L&I. Electrical work permits: RCW 19.28.101 state-issued by default (L&I inspection, permit affixed to installation, utility connects only after approval) with the local opt-out of RCW 19.28.141 (Seattle issues/inspects its own). | S-WA-18-27-110Source S-WA-18-27-110 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.27.110 — Building permits — Verification of registration required — Responsibilities of issuing entity — RCW 18.27.110 + RCW 18.106.440 + RCW 19.28.101/.141 (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.110 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read 2026-10-04: no city/town/county may issue a construction building permit for registrable work without verifying current registration; the issuer must print the registration number on the permit and give the applicant written notice of the homeowner's risk; falsifying exemption information forfeits the permit. The statutory engine of Washington's state-vs-local distinction (research §B). Backs REQ-WA-PERMIT-VERIFY-001 (rule WA-PERMIT-VERIFY). |
| Seattle (SDCI) — $6,000/6-month no-permit band, re-roof exemption, city electrical permits, city business license (LOCAL EXAMPLE) Seattle Do-You-Need-a-Permit / Re-Roof / Electrical / Mechanical pages verbatim (read 2026-10-04) | permit | Seattle SDCI pages (all read 2026-10-04): 'You don't need a permit for minor repairs or alterations that cost $6,000 or less in any 6-month period … even if you do the work yourself' — but load-bearing/envelope/egress work always needs a permit. Re-roof: 'A permit is not required for re-roof work at one- and two-family homes and townhouses if no changes are made to the building envelope other than adding or replacing insulation…'; required when repairing >500 sq ft or replacing roofing materials on commercial/multifamily (or envelope changes); no on-site inspection, close by affidavit. Electrical permits: 'Any professional applying for electrical permits must have a Washington State electrical contractor's license and a Seattle business license. Property owners may do their own work when they own and occupy the property they're working on'; Seattle performs cover/service/final inspections (local enforcement under RCW 19.28.141); small solar PV <7.7 kW without plan review. Mechanical permits by value + hourly review; gas lines/plumbing are separate permits. Seattle business license required to do business in the city. NO local contractor license exists (RCW 18.27.130). | S-WA-SEATTLE-PERMITSource S-WA-SEATTLE-PERMIT — City of Seattle — Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI)Seattle SDCI — Do You Need a Permit? ($6,000/6-month minor-work threshold, exemptions) — Seattle Do-You-Need-a-Permit / Re-Roof / Electrical / Mechanical pages verbatim (read 2026-10-04) https://www.seattle.gov/construction-and-inspections/permits/do-you-need-a-permit Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 LOCAL EXAMPLE — read 2026-10-04 (HTTP 200). Verbatim: 'Minor repairs or alterations. You don't need a permit for minor repairs or alterations that cost $6,000 or less in any 6-month period. The $6,000 limit is based on fair market value of labor and parts, even if you do the work yourself.' 'You need a permit for any work on load-bearing supports, changes to the building envelope, and work that reduces egress, light, ventilation, or fire resistance no matter how small the project.' Usually no permit: painting/cleaning, re-pointing a chimney, installing kitchen cabinets, paneling/surface finishes over existing systems, insulating existing buildings, hazardous-material abatement, limited in-kind repair; on-grade patios/slabs; sheds <120 sq ft; retaining walls ≤4 ft; fences <8 ft; platforms/walks/driveways <18 in. above grade; dish/panel antennas ≤6.56 ft. 'Even if you don't need a permit, your project must meet all code requirements.' Seattle Residential Code R105.2 / Building Code 106.2 referenced (research §M.1/§N.2). |
| Enforcement ladder — infractions $1,200–$10,000 for no registration, per-day/per-worksite counts, CPA exposure, recovery account RCW 18.27.340/.200/.020 + L&I news 25-31 (read 2026-10-04) | contract rule | RCW 18.27.340 (read 2026-10-04): general infraction $200–$10,000; failure to register $1,200–$10,000, with authority to reduce below $600 if the contractor registers within 10 days of the first-offense notice (L&I news 25-31 confirms $1,200 first offense / up to $10,000 repeat). RCW 18.27.200(2): each day worked and each worksite is a separate infraction. RCW 18.27.020: unregistered contracting is also a gross misdemeanor (criminal track), separate per day per worksite after citation. Penalties feed the homeowner recovery account (RCW 18.27.420). RCW 18.27.350 opens the Consumer Protection Act; RCW 18.27.370 adds civil penalties/warrant-based withholding (chapter TOC read — section texts NOT read, NOT_VERIFIED detail). | S-WA-18-27-340Source S-WA-18-27-340 — Washington State Legislature — RCW & WAC (app.leg.wa.gov)RCW 18.27.340 — Infraction — Monetary penalty — RCW 18.27.340/.200/.020 + L&I news 25-31 (read 2026-10-04) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.27.340 Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04 Read 2026-10-04: general infraction $200–$10,000; FAILURE TO REGISTER $1,200–$10,000, with authority to reduce below $600 if the contractor registers within 10 days of the first-offense notice; penalties feed the homeowner recovery account (RCW 18.27.420). Corroborated by L&I news 25-31 ($1,200 first offense / up to $10,000 repeat). Backs REQ-WA-PENALTIES-001 (rule WA-REG-REQUIRED). |
06 Rule: WA-REG-REQUIRED
RCW 18.27.020 verbatim: 'Every contractor shall register with the department.' Advertising, offering, bidding or working as an unregistered contractor is a gross misdemeanor with separate counts per day per worksite after citation, and it is unlawful to subcontract to or use an unregistered contractor (infractions $1,200-$10,000, RCW 18.27.340). The definition of 'contractor' is deliberately broad (RCW 18.27.010(1)) including an owner who employs members of more than one trade on a single job/permit. Exemptions are SEPARATE rules (WA-MINOR-500, WA-OWN-PROPERTY). Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| registration-required | contractor_registration_required |
|
| registration-held | registration_already_held |
|
| not-a-contractor | outside_chapter_18_27 |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-18-27-020S-WA-18-27-010S-WA-18-27-340
07 Rule: WA-GC-SCOPE
RCW 18.27.010(5) verbatim: 'General contractor' means any person who for another employs members of more than one trade or craft upon a single job or project or under a single building permit, or who superintends, consults, or draws plans/specs for such work. A general-class registrant may perform most construction and hire subcontractors in multiple specialties — except plumbing (rule WA-GC-NO-PLUMBING) and with electrical/plumbing carrying their own regimes. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| multi-trade-job | general_contractor_class_applies |
|
| single-trade-job | single_trade_specialty_class_sufficient |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-18-27-010S-WA-LNI-REGISTER
08 Rule: WA-SC-LIMITS
RCW 18.27.010(12) verbatim: a specialty contractor is 'limited to the performance of one branch of a craft or specialty and who contracts to perform work in which he or she may only subcontract work that is incidental to the work and only in connection with the work of the craft or specialty in which he or she is registered.' L&I adds that specialty contractors 'cannot hire subcontractors' outside the specialty. Multi-trade work requires the general class (rule WA-GC-SCOPE). Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| out-of-scope | work_outside_registered_specialty |
|
| within-scope | within_registered_specialty_scope |
|
| not-specialty | not_a_specialty_class_registrant |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-18-27-010S-WA-LNI-REGISTER
09 Rule: WA-PERMIT-VERIFY
RCW 18.27.110: no city/town/county may issue a construction building permit for registrable work without verifying the contractor's CURRENT registration; the issuer must print the registration number on the permit and give the applicant written notice of the homeowner's risk; falsifying exemption information forfeits the permit. The plumbing twin RCW 18.106.440 imposes the same duties for plumbing permits with the plumbing contractor license number. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| unverified-no-permit | permit_may_not_issue_without_verification |
|
| verified-number-printed | permit_issuance_with_number_printed |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-18-27-110S-WA-18-106-440
10 Rule: WA-NO-LOCAL-LICENSE
RCW 18.27.130 verbatim: chapter 18.27 is EXCLUSIVE — no political subdivision may require or issue registrations/licenses/bonds or charge fees 'for the same or similar purpose'. Carve-outs: general nondiscriminatory business license fees and/or gross-receipts taxes, and authority over contractors NOT required to register. The electrical exclusivity mirror is RCW 19.28.041(4). Result: Washington cities may tax businesses and permit projects — they may NOT license contractors. Missing facts yield NOT_DETERMINED.
| Outcome | Conclusion | Caveats |
|---|---|---|
| local-contractor-license-prohibited | local_contractor_license_barred_by_preemption |
|
| local-layer-is-tax-plus-permits | local_layer_business_license_and_permits_only |
|
Rule confidence: confirmed. Missing inputs produce NOT_DETERMINED — never a forced answer. Sources: S-WA-18-27-130S-WA-19-28-041S-WA-LNI-REGISTER
11 A registered trade — the registration, the roofing specialty and the permit chain
Washington has no separate roofing licence, but a roofer is not unregulated: the re-roof is construction work under the ch. 18.27 registration, and the roofing specialty carries a statute-listed scope with an express exclusion:
| Question | Washington answer | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Is a credential required for the re-roof? | yes — the ch. 18.27 contractor registration (general $30,000 / specialty $15,000 bond), GL and workers'-comp conditions; rule WA-REG-REQUIRED | S-WA-18-27-020 |
| Which class? | the roofing specialty if roofing alone; a general registration if more than one building trade on the same job (rule WA-GC-SCOPE) | S-WA-18-27-010 |
| What the roofing specialty covers — and excludes | WAC 296-200A-016 roofing scope; the specialty expressly EXCLUDES truss repair with or without reroofing — that is framing, not roofing (rule WA-SC-LIMITS) | S-WA-18-27-010 |
| Small jobs | under $500 in the aggregate a casual/minor exemption may apply, with the anti-splitting and anti-holding-out conditions (rule WA-MINOR-500) | S-WA-18-27-090 |
| Homeowner re-roofing their own home | the owner/own-property exemption applies, except selling, demolishing or leasing (rule WA-OWN-PROPERTY) | S-WA-18-27-090 |
| Permit and verification | the local permit issuer must verify the registration before issuing (RCW 18.27.110); the $1,200–$10,000 penalty regime backs it (rule WA-PERMIT-VERIFY) | S-WA-18-27-110 |
| Local examples | Seattle re-roof rules (and Tacoma roof e-permits) — LOCAL examples, never statewide | S-WA-SEATTLE-PERMIT |
| Penalties | unregistered advertising, bidding or working is a gross misdemeanor plus per-day / per-worksite infractions | S-WA-18-27-340 |
Local permit rules vary by city and are labeled LOCAL — the state registration is the contractor credential, the city or county owns the permit. Any locality beyond the five researched is LOCAL_AUTHORITY_REQUIRED. S-WA-SEATTLE-PERMIT
12 Permit and verification layer
Washington separates the credential from the permit: the STATE decides who may work (the ch. 18.27 registration and the two trade licences), while the city or county issues the permit. RCW 18.27.110 makes the permit issuer verify the registration before issuing, print the number and give the homeowner-risk notice, and forfeits the permit if the exemption was falsified; ch. 18.106.440 is the plumbing twin. S-WA-18-27-110
A permit is per JOB, a credential is per WHO, and RCW 18.27.130 bars a local contractor licence (with carve-outs for a general business licence and non-registrable contractors) — but the city still sets its permit rules and general business licence. S-WA-19-28-101
Verify the credential that actually applies on the official lookup before relying on any outcome here: L&I Contractor Lookup (covers the ch. 18.27 registration; electrical and plumbing credentials have their own L&I verification paths). S-WA-LNI-VERIFY
Source S-WA-SEATTLE-PERMIT — City of Seattle — Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI)
Seattle SDCI — Do You Need a Permit? ($6,000/6-month minor-work threshold, exemptions) — Seattle Do-You-Need-a-Permit / Re-Roof / Electrical / Mechanical pages verbatim (read 2026-10-04)
https://www.seattle.gov/construction-and-inspections/permits/do-you-need-a-permit
Retrieved 2026-10-04 · last verified 2026-10-04
LOCAL EXAMPLE — read 2026-10-04 (HTTP 200). Verbatim: 'Minor repairs or alterations. You don't need a permit for minor repairs or alterations that cost $6,000 or less in any 6-month period. The $6,000 limit is based on fair market value of labor and parts, even if you do the work yourself.' 'You need a permit for any work on load-bearing supports, changes to the building envelope, and work that reduces egress, light, ventilation, or fire resistance no matter how small the project.' Usually no permit: painting/cleaning, re-pointing a chimney, installing kitchen cabinets, paneling/surface finishes over existing systems, insulating existing buildings, hazardous-material abatement, limited in-kind repair; on-grade patios/slabs; sheds <120 sq ft; retaining walls ≤4 ft; fences <8 ft; platforms/walks/driveways <18 in. above grade; dish/panel antennas ≤6.56 ft. 'Even if you don't need a permit, your project must meet all code requirements.' Seattle Residential Code R105.2 / Building Code 106.2 referenced (research §M.1/§N.2).