Commercial Roofing in San Antonio: Understanding Roofing Code Compliance

Posted on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023 at 6:01 pm

If you’re a building owner or property manager interested in commercial roofing in San Antonio, then you should understand general roofing codes to ensure compliance. Although roof inspectors are trained in building codes, it’s beneficial for commercial property owners to be aware of standard municipal, state, and international roofing laws.

Understanding roofing codes not only promotes structure and occupant safety, but it also allows property managers to hold their roofing contractors accountable for proper building regulations. From roofing materials to storm drainage requirements, here is an overview of roofing codes for commercial roofing in San Antonio.

A Complete Guide to Code Compliance for Commercial Roofing in San Antonio

Roofing codes are based on various factors, including roofing system types, services, materials, physical condition, and building size. There are also municipal, state, and international construction and property improvement laws.

It’s important to note that this guide is a general overview of roofing code compliance for commercial roofing in San Antonio. Always refer to a third-party roof inspector and a qualified roofing company for further guidance on roofing codes and regulations.

Municipal Permit Requirements for Roofing Contractors: Roof Replacement, Windows, Siding, and Doors

Did you know that San Antonio requires roofing contractors to obtain a permit for specific roofing services? Roofing contractors that recover or replace your roof, windows, siding, and doors require a registered permit in the city of San Antonio before starting any work.

For non-structural building improvements, like re-roofs (no changes in roof pitches), San Antonio roofers must submit a site plan and permit. If you find that your roofing company doesn’t have the proper permits for your project, San Antonio municipal law states that the work must be stopped until they’re acquired.

Before hiring commercial roofing contractors, confirm they are registered in San Antonio to prevent the risk of risk costly citations for breaching city ordinances and codes. This ensures that your building is meeting legal standards, prevents liability issues, and confirms the service quality is following the law.

Depending on the service provided, a roof inspector may be required to visit your property once it’s complete. Even if it’s minor structural improvements, we always recommend investing in roof inspections as an added safety measure, especially for commercial properties. Depending on your property insurance provider, a roof inspection may be required regardless.

Wind-Resistance Codes

Texas is known for its strong weather conditions. Different areas of the state experience hurricanes, hail, tornadoes, and strong storms, which can cause severe roof damage. For these reasons, roofing systems must be designed and installed to be weather-resistant for optimal strength, lifespan, and storm protection.

Texas state codes for weather-resistant commercial roofing include:

Roofs must be constructed to withstand strong wind conditions equal to 1 ¼ times the pressures (applied to outward surface only)
Roofs or roof sections with slopes greater than 30 degrees must be designed to withstand 1 ¼ times the wind pressures (applied to the inward slope only)

Nails, clips, and other similar attaching devices must be corrosion-resistant or galvanized

Height Zone (Feet)	Wind Pressure (Lb. Per Sq. Ft.)
Less than 30	35
50 to 99	45
100 to 499	55
500 to 1,199	70
1,200 and above	90

Credit: Texas Administrative Code, Figure: 28 TAC §5.4007(a)(2)(A)(i)

Wind pressure requirements for commercial roofing in San Antonio are calculated by height zone to determine the proper strength. Depending on your building size and common weather conditions, weather-resistant strength codes will vary.

Water Drainage Codes

In addition to wind resistance, San Antonio also requires storm drainage codes for commercial roofing. Water damage can cause serious building damage, such as mold, accelerated deterioration, and cave-ins. With severe storms, the amount of water and related roof damage can increase significantly without proper drainage systems.

San Antonio commercial roofing codes for storm drainage include:

Roof edges less than three feet of any property line must have gutters and downspouts to direct roof water away from adjacent property
Drip edges are now required on all roofs per the city code to provide additional waterproofing protection
Roof flashing must be sound, tight, and have no defects to prevent dampness and deterioration from water
Roof drains, gutters, and downspouts must be adequately maintained and obstruction-free

If you find standing water, mold, or clogged gutters on your roof, these are signs to get your water drainage system repaired immediately. Roof maintenance and repairs should be done routinely and timely to prevent water damage from turning into more costly and dangerous issues.

International Fire Codes

Fire prevention is not only a life-saving measure, but it is legally required for commercial buildings. In addition to fire sprinkler systems, extinguishers, designated exists, and emergency vehicle access lanes, roofs must also be fire safety-compliant.

Texas fire codes for commercial roofing include:

Roof installations cannot be any more than 55ft above the lowest level of required fire department vehicle access

Roof heights must be measured from the greatest distance between one of the following:
- The lowest required fire vehicle access road surface next to the building to the eave of the highest-pitched roof
- The intersection of the highest roof to the exterior wall
- The top of the highest parapet

As a commercial property manager or owner, you never want to put occupants’ safety at risk due to a lack of fire compliance. If your roof is over 20 years old, we always recommend getting it inspected by professional roofers or building inspectors. They’ll assess your roof’s condition and ensure it doesn’t interfere with your fire safety and emergency response systems.

Roofing Material Installation Codes

When it comes to commercial roof installation, specific standards are set for each roofing material type. The Municode Library states that all roofing materials must pass the U.L. Standard 997 or a comparable test certified by the Commissioner. San Antonio also requires all roofing materials to have some form of wind resistance.

However, with various roof materials, like metal and asphalt shingles, it’s important to know the building code differences in each. Below is a brief breakdown of roofing installation codes by material type.

Single-Ply Roof Material Codes

Single-ply roofing systems (SPS) are strong flexible sheets that are typically made of synthetic polymer with strict quality control requirements. SPS roofing is made of three materials: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Since there are multiple SPS roofing materials, building code requirements may differ.

The Building Code of the Texas IHB states their regulations for SPS roof installation include:

Low-slope single-ply roofing with metal edge securement must be installed within wind load regulations
Thermoset single-ply roofs must have a minimum 2% slope for water drainage

Due to their consistent physical composition, SPS is a popular material option for commercial roofing in San Antonio since they’re pre-fabricated to be code compliant. If your building is flat or low-sloped, SPS roofing is a practical option due to its flexible physicality.

Metal Roof Material Codes

Metal roofing materials are often made of steel, aluminum zinc, tin, seam-standing metal, and copper. They also have various adhesion techniques, including exposed fasteners, concealed fasteners, and concealed adhesives. Due to the differences in material composition and applications, metal roofing codes may vary.

According to the Building Code of the Texas IHB, regulations for metal roof installation include:

Shingles must not be installed on roof slopes below 25% slope
Roof deck shingles must be applied to a solid or closely fitted deck unless it’s designed to be applied to spaced sheathing
Shingle roof coverings must be naturally corrosion resistant

One of the main benefits of metal roofs is that they’re one of the most long-lasting materials with an average 50-year lifespan. Once your metal roof is installed with routine maintenance, you can have access to simpler code compliance due to its strong durability.

Tile Roofing Material Codes

There are two types of tile roofing materials: concrete and clay. Commercial buildings commonly use tile in their roofing systems since they’re weather and fire-resistant. If you want a new tile roof installed in your commercial building, it’s imperative to ensure it’s compliant since they’re designed to last long-term– at least 50 years!

The Municode Library states that San Antonio regulations for tile roof installation include:

Tile roofing must be installed with no less than one layer of 30lb asphalt felt and securely fastened by nailing with tin caps
All tiles must be thoroughly watered with a hose before applying
Each tile must be laid full length in portland cement mortar
The first three horizontal shingle courses must be nailed in
Additional nailing may be required to prevent the tile from slipping in certain conditions
Mortar cannot be not less than one part cement and three parts sand, and not more than 25% lime by volume
All nails for roof flashing and tiles must be copper

Whether you choose clay or concrete tile roofing, ensuring proper preparation and installation is crucial to prevent them from slipping, becoming unnecessarily damaged, and failing inspection.

Asphalt Shingle Roofing Material Codes

There are three types of asphalt shingles: standard three-tab, laminated, and premium. Laminated and premium shingles are heavier than standard three tabs, so installation requirements may differ.

According to the Municode Library, San Antonio regulations for shingle roof installation include:

Roll roofing cannot be applied over shingle roofs
Shingle layers must be spot-mopped and applied by concealed nails
Nails must have a minimum head lap of three inches, an end lap of six inches, and must be properly cemented
Nail spacing on shingle roofs cannot be less than four inches on centers
Thick-butt asphalt shingles must be nailed in the thickest areas

If your asphalt shingle roof is close to 30 years old, we always recommend getting it maintained and inspected by quality roofers with experience in this material.

Built-up Roofing (BUR) Material Codes

Built-up roof (BUR) systems are also known as asphalt flat roofing. They’re installed either through cold-applied adhesives or coal tar. Since these are typically flat or lower-sloped roofing systems, it’s critical to ensure it has strong water drainage.

The Municode Library states that San Antonio regulations for BUR roof installation include:

Cant strips must be installed on roof angles and vertical surfaces for coverings
BUR coverings must be at least six inches above the cant strip to a reglet in the parapet and covered with metal flashing caulked into the reglet.
BUR roof felt layers must be applied vertically, properly lapped, and cemented to the parapet

If your BUR roof is over 15 years old, you should get it inspected and maintained as suggested by your commercial roofer to prevent damages, safety risks, and failing building codes.

Wood Roofing Material Codes

Although using wood as a roofing material is less common nowadays to minimize fire risks, there are fire-retardant-treated wood options available. Some businesses, like restaurants, have outdoor covered patios and hotels with penthouses or rooftop bars, which commonly use fire-resistant wood for their roofing materials.

According to the Municode Library, San Antonio regulations for wood roofing installation include:

Wood roof decks with prepared shingles should be solidly sheathed, well-seasoned, and dry
Sheathing boards must be at least one-inch nominal dimension boards and not over six inches wide
Plywood sheathing must be at least ⅝ of an inch thick
Outdoor covered areas must have fire retardant-treated wood as per IBC Section 2303.2 or protected with a fire-resistance-rated material approved by the city
All resinous wood roof deck areas must be covered with sheathing paper or unsaturated felt

If you choose to install or upgrade your wood roofing system, always ensure that the materials you’re using are protected with fire-resistant treatment.

Keep Your San Antonio Commercial Roof Compliant with Kidd Roofing

Meeting municipal, state, and international roofing codes is complex. Regulations differ based on roofing systems, the materials used, building size, and more. While it’s essential for commercial property owners to comprehend basic roofing regulations, it can be challenging to navigate on your own.

At Kidd Roofing, we can help guide you through any commercial roofing service, including roof inspections and insurance company claims. We’re proud to have been installing and repairing commercial roofing systems in San Antonio since 1982. Our contractors are fully licensed, insured, and registered to ensure complete credentials for any size project.

Keep your San Antonio property compliant with qualified commercial roofing services.

Categories: Code Compliance, Commercial Roofing, Roof Construction, Roof Repairs, Roof Replacement

Get Your
Roofing Estimate Now!

Kidd Roofing San Antonio (Jeremy) responded quickly to our request for an assessment/quote, was friendly and candid, gave helpful advice on dealing with inspectors and insurance, did great work, charged a fair price, and provided excellent documentation we requested. Most impressive was that out of the nearly dozen roofers I contacted, Kidd was the only one who didn’t try to twist our arm into a full roof replacement or stop responding when they realized we just needed minor repairs.

Brityn Willis Bennet

Highly recommended Jeff at Kidd Roofing. I am a real estate who was in a huge bind with a home under contract that needed to have a new roof installed before closing. After dealing with a rough experience with Ace Roofing increasing their quote by 50% for the same job, my clients (very upset at the time) and I scrambled to problem solve and luckily found Jeff and Kidd Roofing.
They got to the job fast, worked our extremely pressed timeline, and had great communication the entire time. To top it off the future buyer of the home had the new roof inspected and the inspector/other roofing company complimented the work. All parties were completely satisfied and I will be recommending and hopefully using Jeff going forward for my future clients.
5 stars well deserved.

CG

We had a leak in a clay tile roof. Mundo and his crew came out and fixed it in one day! They also extended our gutters to help keep water off the foundation. We were thrilled with the service and results.

Micheal H

Kidd Roofing was a pleasure to work with from the start of the job until completion. I highly recommend them.

James O

I love finding a company that values offering and delivering a high quality & affordable service and are honest about the entire process. Kidd Roofing and Cody are my “go to” company and guy for any roofing issues that might arise. I contacted Kidd Roofing about some problems that we were having our add-on cover/roof over the deck a family friend built for us. The particular roofing my husband wanted was unfamiliar to our friend and he did the best he could, the deck is spectacularly amazing but we needed some professional help with the roofing. Cody showed up, on time & prepared, to help us figure out what to do and how to fix it. Cody answered all our questions and explained what needed to be done in a manner that made us reassured to do business with Kidd Roofing. The quote was affordable and we asked to get it done right away. Cody scheduled the work & just like clockwork the roofing crew appeared with the materials and ladders to fix our deck roof. The guys worked fast, cleaned up their leftover material, and were done so fast! Cody even showed up to make sure we were satisfied! Satisfied is an understatement, we were pleasantly impressed and the roof not only looks like our home builder did it when the house was built but we are no longer worried about leaks.

Shannon C

Cody with Kidd roofing did excellent work on our very big project of tearing off and re-roofing a 41 unit condominium complex of 10 buildings. Cody was always available to communicate with and supervise the work as it went along. Everything agreed to on the contract was completed as specified and more. Cody even came back a few weeks after completion to check for hail damage after a big storm. This is a solid, honest company that we will use again.

Cynthia A

Awesome service!!!! We discovered hail damage so, working with my insurance, Kidd Roofing came right out. We were in the middle of a pandemic but they were speedy, safe, repaired the roof in one day and wall damage a different day. We found them professional, honest, speedy, thorough and kind. Totally recommend them!!!

Kim H

Kidd Roofing did a complete re-roof of my house and they did a great job. Every step of the process from the initial visit with me to evaluate the problem to the actual final installation was professionally and efficiently done to my satisfaction.

Enrique B

I had hail damange and a section with leaks. The team that came out made sure that the areas on my roof that was prone to problems because of the house design would not leak. They also included extras that improve the aesthetics as compared to the original roof. The crew paid attention to the details and had excellent workmanship. Finally, at all times, the crew was considerate, friendly and professional.

Annemarie Vicere

I had the unfortunate incident of a tree falling on my house causing over $65k in damages recently and was blessed to find the best roofing company that the Houston area offers…. Kidd Roofing! When I was soliciting quotes the President of Kidd Roofing, Marcus Mathews, not only spent time thoroughly looking over my damages, but stayed until dark to properly tarp my roof since we were expecting rain the next day. He also stressed that it didn’t mean I had to use his company for the repairs, he just couldn’t let me go a night without being properly tarped! Fast forward to the repair job itself and the Sales & Estimating Manager who oversaw my project, Jeff Marshall, was absolutely fantastic. He kept me apprised of all repairs, time frames and completions, he respected my schedule and accommodated me at every turn. He handled everything and was on site a majority of the time to monitor the work that was being performed. The entire process was seamless and they provided high quality results in a short time-frame, even going above and beyond at times. It was the best experience I have had with a company/repair project and I would highly recommend them for any of your roofing repair needs!

Jodi Bieniek

My roof took a direct hit from the April 18th hail storm in Humble, Texas so I searched and asked around my neighborhood and kept hearing Kidd Roofing. After meeting Mike at our house for a quick inspection I knew that Kidd Roofing was the right choice for us. Mike has been amazing throughout the entire process start to finish. He always made sure we knew what the next step was from the insurance side to the day the roofers showed up. Everything that Mike had told us was going to happen happened exactly as he said it would during the roof removal and replace. Mike went above and beyond to set the right expectations and ensure the expectations were met perfectly. Our new roof is almost a month old and can already tell the quality when compared to other roofs that were replaced at the same time. Mike and Kidd Roofing will always be the only roofer I recommend to friends and neighbors. Thank you Mike for a great quality install!

Travis Steele

We had some hail damage to our roof when the last storm came through and got the recommendation of Kidd Roofing from a friend. They sent out Micah Loyd to give us an estimate. He was very professional and easy to work with. He answered all of our questions and was always prompt returning any phone calls or messages we left for him. The roof replacement went on without any problems and looks great. We are happy to recommend Kidd Roofing and Micah for any roofing problems you may have. Five star job!!!!!!

Joan Bone

The entire process from start to finish was excellent and professional. There was an initial meeting with Steve Jasik, Kidd sales and estimating rep, who went over the entire job including materials to be installed, the schedule of the roofers, and steps to close the job when it was finished. When the job began, it all ran like clockwork, from the arrival of the materials; to getting it all up on the roof; to the removal of the old shingles, et al; to the reinstalling of the new shingles; to the clean up afterwards (no roofing nails found anywhere); to the final paperwork to conclude the job. It was all well-handled. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Kidd Roofing to anyone who asked.

Steve Richards

Eric Roeslers’ professionalism, product knowledge, and highly competitive price convinced me into choosing Kidd Roofing. The crew was polite, clean, and fast working. There were a few minor details on the roofing of the upper deck of my porch/patio that needed redone and Eric had his crew repair it to my liking. I am very satisfied with his work and will definitely recommend him and repeat business!

Paula G

In the process of getting our house ready to list, we approached Kidd Roofing to give us a quote for a roof replacement. They worked with us on the best way to get our roof replaced including assisting us immensely with us being able to receive a new roof because of previous hail damage. Unfortunately the insurance adjuster didn’t work with us, but Kidd Roofing did all that they could to get us the most value for our money. Now our roof and chimney are brand new and we couldn’t be any happier! I would hire them again in a heartbeat to do any roof work I could ever need in the future!

Jessica Willms

We used Kidd Roofing to repair our leaking roof and they discovered we also had rotted wood fascia behind our gutters due to improperly installed gutters. So they also removed our existing gutters and repaired all of the wood that was rotted for us. They did an outstanding job including several inspections by the Kidd team leaders (Steven Jasik) to ensure everything was done right. We are now big fans of Kidd Roofing. They’re very professional, honest, and easy to work with.

Jerry Beverly

Scott and his crew are the best. He managed the entire process with special attention to every detail. They supported me with all documentation related to the claim. He was with me when the insurance team came by to check the damages, worked with insurance to address any required adjustments and complete the work with precision and super high quality. Next time we need a roofing company, we will definitely reach out to Scott and Kidd.

Fabiano Colicchio Lopes

This is a wonderful company full of wonderful people. They do good, hard work and they are always fair. You can’t find a better company to do your roof! Mason and Todd are very respectful and work with you to provide you with the best service as well as the best customer service. They are diligent and quick! Great job guys 👍🏻.

Eloise Haynes

I acquired quotes from several roofing companies including the one I had last used, just 3-4 years earlier. I most appreciated how my sales rep, Scott, took time to listen and answer my questions. Not in a canned response fashion, but with genuine interest. Looking at their website, I kinda felt I might be considered a lower end customer for them (my house is about $375k), but in no way was I ever treated as such. We have 3 kiddos and the crew did a great job cleaning up after, ensuring no nails or debris could injure our animals or kiddos. They weren’t the cheapest. They also weren’t the most expensive. But I went with Kidd roofing because I felt they did things right, the first time, with quality and excellence. Now that the job is complete — I can confirm, it was all done with quality and excellence. Scott and Kidd roofing are the surest way to have great work done on your roof!

Chris M

I’m someone difficult to please as I like things done right and there are so many roofers that do sloppy jobs. Super happy with Kidd Roofing, worked with me from the start to finish as changes needed to be made. Also did an excellent job cleaning up and I still haven’t found any nails in my yard… I believe they found them all 🙂

Jesse Lowe

Kidd Roofing replaced my 24 year old roof and did a spectacular job. They were very responsive in answering all of my questions as I was a first time roof purchaser. The results were high quality, and they provided options for how to solve my gutter replacement as well as alternatives to managing to keep wildlife out of my attic. Raccoons are cute but very tenacious. I even asked for them to come repair the chimney cap the was knocked off during a storm by an overgrown large tree and they graciously did that for me at no cost. I would highly recommend Kidd Roofing. Max was my contact through the whole process, it was nice to have one single contact that knows your project inside and out. So many times in doing house repairs, I have had to deal with several people from the same company, repeating requirements and reaffirming quotes. That didn’t happen at Kidd, excellent customer service.

K island

We had an awesome experience with Kidd Roofing!!! Davis and his whole team were excellent. We had hail damage and they worked with our insurance company and came right out safely (in the midst of this pandemic). It was done so quickly (finished in a day for the roof and a different day for our wall). They are professional, speedy, honest and super nice. I highly recommend!!

Kim Hiles

This is the third time I have used Kidd Roofing and I continue to great great service and value. The first was a complete new roof. Since then I have called them twice for minor repairs/fixes. They are very responsive and do quality work. They are my roofer and I highly recommend them to others!

Pete Courtois

Because I have solar collectors that needed to be removed before the roof was replaced, I asked Matt to coordinate with the solar people to schedule the replacement. He made all the calls and had his crew here the very next day after the solar collectors had been removed. His crew worked over 12 hours, hardly stopping, trying to finish in one day. They were even cleaning after dark. The very next day he had the gutter crew in early to complete the gutters and finalize the cleanup. Both crews were dedicated and worked very fast to get the job done before any rain. The coordination between crews and other companies was the tops. I can’t say enough about the management and the individuals. This is my second experience with them and both times they were superb.

Lloyd Stearn

We loved our experience with Kidd Roofing. They are very professional and have great communication. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking for great quality and hard workmanship. Jeff and Micah were very present during our roofing experience. They checked in every day and made sure that things were being done and that we were happy with the progress. My husband kept saying you get what you pay for and we did. No more leaks and a beautiful roof.

Jodi Mcallister

Trial

I had an awesome experience with Kidd. The job turned out to cost way less than I expected which of course is always nice. Max was my rep and he came up with a lot of great ideas for a flat-ish portion of my roof which has caused some problems in the past. I met the owner family too and they are solid folks that care about their results. Oh and when they left, the place was spotless.

Michael D. Spadaccini

I have had roofs replaced in the past which did not go well. Kidd Roofing was amazing to work with at every angle, from the top all the way down to the guys that actually did the work. The guys were so friendly and respectful. They were also diligent and clean in every aspect of the job. First rate in quality and professionalism. I give them 5 Gold Stars and a Thumbs Up! Thank you Patrick Lambert and Scott Nelson!