What Is a Code Upgrade?
A code upgrade (also called ordinance and law coverage or code compliance upgrade) occurs when local building codes require improvements beyond restoring the roof to its pre-loss condition. Common code upgrades — depending on the local jurisdiction — include upgrading to code-compliant ventilation, installing drip edge, and meeting current decking and fastening requirements. Code upgrades are often covered under a separate insurance endorsement.
Important Distinction
Note: A code upgrade is required by the local jurisdiction, not chosen by the contractor — and whether a policy pays for it depends on that policy's ordinance-or-law provisions, which vary widely. The building code sets the requirement; the policy sets the funding; those are two separate questions.
Dealing with this on your own roof? Call (512) 893-7663 or get an instant online quote — Zilker Roofing inspects before recommending. Honest assessment, no pressure.
Also Known As
These are the search terms and phrases that commonly refer to this topic, so you can find it however you describe it.
How Code Upgrade Relates to Other Topics
Most code-driven items on an Austin shingle re-roof are parts you never see: drip edge at the eaves, ice-and-water shield in the valleys, synthetic underlayment, new pipe boots, and ridge ventilation for airflow. They are line items worth looking for on any estimate.
Code-required work is a real line on the price — replacing damaged decking, adding drip edge, bringing ventilation to current requirements. An estimate that leaves them out is not cheaper than one that includes them, only less complete.
Code-required upgrades are a common item submitted to the carrier as a claim supplement.
When a roof replacement is triggered by an insurance claim, local building codes may require upgrades beyond like-for-like replacement — including drip edge, ice and water shield, or updated ventilation. These code upgrades are often covered under a separate ordinance and law endorsement.
When the old roof comes off, many jurisdictions require the exposed decking be re-nailed to current fastening schedules before anything new goes on - a code-upgrade cost that only exists because tear-off made the decking reachable.
Related To Code Upgrade
Where local building codes require upgrades beyond like-for-like, ordinance-and-law code upgrade coverage may apply to an insurance replacement.
Permitted roof work must meet current building code, which can trigger required code upgrades.
A replacement may require code-compliant upgrades such as ventilation, drip edge, and decking, depending on the local jurisdiction.
Drip edge entered the residential code as a requirement in the 2012 IRC cycle, so many older roofs legitimately lack it - which is why it appears as a code-upgrade line item on replacements of older homes.
Questions about Code Upgrade?
Zilker Roofing inspects before recommending. Honest assessment, no pressure.