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Operations / Permitting
Permitting
Issuing Roofing Building Permits — Step-by-Step Process
Version History
The SOP ID never changes. Version numbers increase with every update. Full history is preserved below.
| Version | Date | Author | Summary of Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| v1.0 | March 27, 2025 | Slog Group | Initial version — full permitting process documented. |
Overview
Building permits are required to ensure our roofing projects comply with local building codes, zoning laws, and safety regulations. They are issued by the city or county and help ensure that our work meets standards that protect the property’s structural integrity and safety.
Having a permit prevents potential legal issues, ensures inspections are completed, and shows clients and regulators that our work is compliant and professionally executed.
Important!
- Getting a Building Permit is our goal — all documentation and steps in this SOP will help you reach it.
- ALWAYS verify the address zoning BEFORE starting any paperwork to avoid registering with the wrong city.
Key Documents Reference
Each city may have specific requirements — not every project needs all documents below. Understanding each one helps you navigate the process confidently.
| Document | Source | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Insurance (COI) | Insurance Agent (Ariana) | Confirms proper liability & workers’ compensation coverage. Required by most cities before issuing a permit. |
| Insurance Bond / Surety Bond | Insurance Agent (Ariana) | Guarantees project completion. Cities require this for contractor registration. Has an associated cost. |
| Business Roofing License | Company records | Confirms our company is legally licensed to perform roofing work in the city or state. |
| Work Order | Sales Team | Project document prepared from our master template and signed by the Home Owner or Building Owner. |
| Building Permit | City / County | The final goal — confirms our work complies with local building codes and safety regulations. |
Step-by-Step Process
Follow these steps in order for every new roofing permit request. Do not skip the zoning check — registering with the wrong city wastes time and money.
1
Prepare the Work Order
The Sales team shares customer info. Prepare the Work Order using our master template and fill in the Home Owner or Building Owner information.
- Use the master Work Order template (Google Drive → Templates)
- Fill in: customer name, property address, project scope, and date
- Double-check the address is complete — it is needed for the zoning check
2
Get Customer Signature via DocuSign
Upload the Work Order to DocuSign and send it to the customer’s email address for electronic signature.
- Upload the completed Work Order to DocuSign
- Enter the customer’s email address as recipient
- Customer signs electronically — you will automatically receive a signed copy by email
3
Zoning Check — Verify the Address
ALWAYS perform a zoning check before applying for a permit. This confirms we are applying to the correct city and avoids unnecessary registration costs.
- Option A: Call the city building department and ask if the address falls under their jurisdiction
- Option B: Check the city or county’s online zoning portal
- Confirm the municipality name — this is the city you will work with throughout the process
4
Check City Portal for Required Documents
Access the city website → Building Department → Permit Application requirements. Each city is different.
- Navigate to the city’s official website → Building Department or Permits section
- Look for “Contractor Registration” or “Permit Application” requirements
- Note which documents they require (COI, Bond, Roofing License, Work Order, etc.)
- Example: Village of Bartlett, IL requires COI ($1M+ General Liability), Bond, and Roofing License
5
Request Insurance Documents (if required)
If the city requires a COI and/or Bond, contact our insurance agent. See Appendix A for the full email template.
- Email: [email protected] — Subject: “COI & BOND for [City Name]”
- Copy and paste the city’s exact insurance requirements into the email body
- If urgent, call directly: +1 847 628 9595
6
Contractor Registration (if not yet registered)
Most cities require contractor registration before accepting a permit application. Complete registration first if we are not yet registered in this municipality.
- Submit: Roofing License + COI + Bond to the city portal or building department
- Wait for registration approval confirmation before submitting the permit application
- Save the registration confirmation to Google Drive (city folder) for future use
7
Send / Upload All Documents to the City
Once all documents are gathered and contractor registration is confirmed, submit the full permit application.
- Upload all required documents to the city portal, OR submit in-person / by email if no portal exists
- Keep copies of everything submitted — save to Google Drive project folder
- Note the submission date in the Slog Group Management Tracker
8
Follow Up and Track Permit Status
Permits are not instant. Proactively follow up to keep the project on schedule.
- Follow up with the city building department if no response within 5 business days
- Update the project status in the Slog Group Management Tracker once the permit is issued
- File the permit document in the Google Drive project folder
Tips for Success
- Save each city’s requirements to Google Drive in a “Cities” folder — saves time on future projects.
- If short on time, call the insurance agent directly at +1 847 628 9595 for expedited processing.
- Some cities allow online submission; others require in-person or email. Confirm on the city portal.
Troubleshooting
Use this table when you encounter issues during the permitting process:
| Issue | Likely Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| City says we are not registered as a contractor | Zoning check skipped, or registration was not completed before permit application | Complete contractor registration first (Step 6). Submit Roofing License + COI + Bond to the city. |
| City rejects the COI or Bond | Insurance coverage values are below the city’s minimum requirements | Re-send the city’s exact requirements to Ariana at [email protected] with correct coverage amounts. |
| DocuSign email not received by customer | Wrong email address entered, or email went to spam folder | Verify the email with the customer. Ask them to check spam. Resend from DocuSign. |
| Unsure which municipality the address belongs to | Address is near a city border or in an unincorporated area | Call both municipalities to ask. Check the county GIS portal. When in doubt, call the county building department. |
| Permit is taking longer than expected | High volume at building dept., or missing / incomplete documents | Call the building department to check status. Confirm all documents were received. Escalate to the Project Manager if it impacts the project start date. |
Common Mistake to Avoid
- Do NOT use generic insurance amounts. Always copy the exact requirements from the city portal.
- Each city may list a different entity name on the COI — confirm the correct village/city name is used.
Appendix A — Insurance Request Email Template
Use this template whenever you need to request insurance documents for a new city. Always copy the exact requirements from the city portal — never use generic amounts.
Subject:
COI & BOND for Village of [City Name], IL
Hi Team!
Can you please send us a COI and a Bond for this city?
Village of [City Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
Here are their requirements:
Certificate of Insurance (original)
- General Liability: $[amount] / $[amount]
- Auto Liability: $[amount] / $[amount]
- Excess Liability: $[amount] / $[amount]
- Workman’s Comp & Employer Liability: $[amount] / $[amount]
Permit Bond (original): $[amount]
Thank you!
Note
If you are short on time, call the insurance agent directly at +1 847 628 9595 and ask them to expedite the paperwork.