These are the questions St. Johns County homeowners ask most often when they call. Every answer starts with the answer.
A nor'easter drives rain up under the shingle edge on slopes a summer storm never touches, and the seal strip on shingles past 15 years lets go there first. A roof repair contractor checks the north and east courses, the ridge, and the flashing on that side first.
It is at the age where insurers ask, not necessarily at the end. Architectural shingle in Florida sun and salt commonly runs 15 to 25 years depending on exposure. A written roof inspection tells you where yours sits, and carriers accept a report showing five years of life.
Inside the city's five HP zoning districts, a Certificate of Appropriateness from the review board comes before the permit for any visible roof change. In-kind repair is the simplest path. The historic district roofing page explains what the board reviews.
A re-roof needs a permit everywhere in St. Johns County. Nocatee, World Golf Village, Julington Creek, Vilano, and the south county go through the county Building Department. Inside the City of St. Augustine or St. Augustine Beach, that city issues it. The contractor pulls it.
The HVHZ covers only Miami-Dade and Broward, so St. Johns County is outside it. The coast is still a wind-borne debris region under the Florida Building Code, so shingle fastening, underlayment, and roof-to-wall connections are inspected on a permit, and the island's design wind speed runs higher.
Metal lasts longer in salt air when the fasteners, flashing, and cut edges are specified for it, which is why 5V and standing seam are the island's look. Shingle ages faster on the ocean side of A1A. The metal roofing page covers what changes at the beach.
Take photos from the ground and inside before anything is moved. Get the opening tarped and keep the receipt. Then call your insurer to open the claim, and call for a storm damage contractor to document the roof in writing. Do not sign anything a door-knocker hands you.
Nobody on this site can tell you what your policy will pay. Sudden wind damage is usually the kind of loss a policy is written for. Age, wear, and a worn-out shingle seal are not. A hurricane deductible applies to named storms. The insurance claims page covers the steps.
One year from the date of loss for a new claim on policies issued or renewed since January 2023, and 18 months for a supplemental claim. Older policies may still carry the earlier two-year window. Your policy states the deadline that applies to you.
Age alone is not enough under Florida law. Since 2022 an insurer cannot refuse to renew solely for roof age if the roof is under 15 years old, or if an inspection shows five or more years of useful life left. A written inspection is usually what the carrier wants to see before it decides.
It is the state's OIR-B1-1802 form recording roof covering, deck nailing, roof-to-wall connection, roof shape, and secondary water resistance. Carriers credit the documented features, and a new roof is not credited until the form is filed. See the wind mitigation page.
Florida ended post-loss assignment of benefits on residential policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, and claim negotiation is reserved for licensed public adjusters and attorneys. A contractor documents, tarps, writes a scope, and does the repair. The claim stays in your name.
It can. In Palencia, Nocatee, World Golf Village, and Marsh Creek, a visible shingle or metal color change usually needs committee approval, and a full roof replacement needs it before the permit. Contractors who work those communities send the product and color first.
Contractors represent their own licensing and insurance. Florida requires a licensed roofing contractor for roof work, and you can verify any license at myfloridalicense.com before hiring. Ask for a certificate of insurance and a written scope as well. Call (904) 895-7548 to get started.