Local roofing information service · not a roofing contractorEvery rule links to its official source
Richmond, VA · for homeowners

Richmond roof questions, answered with sources

Old houses, slate in the historic districts, wind and falling trees after storms. Plain answers on local rules, storms and contractors.

1959Median year a Richmond home was built
32%Share of the city under tree canopy in 2021, down from 42% in 2014
$1,000Most jobs above this need a Virginia contractor license
10%Most a wind or hail deductible can be of your dwelling coverage

Local guides

Things that work differently in Richmond than in a generic roofing article.

01 · Start here

After a storm

Wind and falling trees are the main Richmond roof risk. Before anyone climbs on your roof, do three things.

Read the storm guide →
  1. Look at the roof from the ground. Stay off it.
  2. Photograph every bit of damage, with the date.
  3. Look up any contractor on DPOR before you sign.
02

Historic district rules

Old and Historic Districts need CAR review for exterior changes. Confirm your address with the City first.

Read guide →
03

Check a contractor

Look up the license on DPOR: it should be active, and its class or specialty should cover roofing.

Read guide →
04

Wind and hail deductible

Know your dollar figure before you file a claim.

Read guide →

Free tools

Nothing to sign up for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

Wind and hail deductible calculator

Turn a percentage on your policy into dollars.

Open tool →

Contract checker

Check what a roofing contract should say before you sign.

Open tool →

Who to call first

Leak, fallen tree or claim: which call comes first.

Open tool →

Why trust a page about roofs?

Because we have nothing to sell you.

01

Not a contractor

We do not install roofs, give quotes or take a cut from roofers.

02

Every fact has a source

Each line links to the city, the state or the weather service. Click any source to read the official page.

03

Only Richmond

If a fact would be true in any city, it does not go on this site.

Areas covered

Rules that differ by place, so we say which place.

City of Richmond

Permits and the Old and Historic Districts.

All of Virginia

Contractor licenses, contracts and insurance rules.

Got a roof question?

Call and ask. We are a local roofing information service, not a contractor.

Call (804) 206-7993