With the 20-year period for replacing all-wood-shingle roofs with less fire-prone material nearing its Aug. 14, 2012, deadline, 128 homes have yet to make the transition.
The drumbeat to shore up the last of the holdouts is expected to get louder as the deadline looms, with fire officials espousing the benefits of replacing the roofs.
“Wood shingles are a pile of kindling on your roof,” said former Burbank Fire spokesman Ron Bell. “It was a great material back in the day, but it’s past its time.”
But with households still struggling under the weight of the protracted recession, some on the City Council may opt to extend the deadline further for a project that could run well past $10,000.
Councilman David Gordon said in an email that the city should consider modifying, extending or suspending the reroofing period.
“I intend to call for an additional agenda item to come forward without delay to allay the threat of unbearable additional expense currently hanging over many law-abiding Burbank homeowners,” Gordon said. “[They] may not have the means to afford replacing their otherwise perfectly functional and historically safe roofs still in good repair.”
Mario R. Tudela, owner of Modern Roofing on Victory Boulevard, said the cost to replace a wood roof for a standard, two-bedroom home can range from $8,500 to $11,000, depending on the number of roof layers, the pitch of the house and access to the roof.
Gordon said he was told the price could be as high as $40,000 for more unique roof shapes.
Low-interest loans from area banks are listed on the city’s website, and a loan through the Redevelopment Agency is also an option.
“It’s dangerous to you, your neighbors, your family and your guests,” Bell said.
California law requires that all wood roofs sold in the state be treated with fire retardant and pass a natural weathering test.
The city of Los Angeles bans wood roofs on new homes, and has also pushed the replacement of existing ones, despite advances in flame retardants.
In 1992, when Burbank first approved the measure, the city Building Department estimated about 19% of the buildings — or about 8,000 of 42,000 — had wood-shingle roofs.
Homes in the fire hazard severity zone had to replace their wood roofs by 2005.
Last year, the city’s Building Department issued 52 permits to replace wood roofs.
FAQs
HB 7073 includes a one-year relief for residential property insurance policyholders, covering the cost of insurance premium tax and the State Fire Marshal assessment for residential property insurance policies written between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, for a twelve-month coverage period.
What time of year is cheapest to replace roof? ›
One advantage to winter roof installation is that in a slow season, prices typically decrease and availability increases. Planning a winter roof installation allows you to be more confident that you won't have trouble with scheduling availability.
What is the new 25% rule in Florida? ›
Florida Building Code 25% Reroofing Rule
Not more than 25 percent of the total roof area or roof section of any existing building or structure shall be repaired, replaced or recovered in any 12-month period unless the entire roofing system or roof section conforms to requirements of this code.
What is the new law in Florida about roofs? ›
However, on May 26, 2022, SB 4-D took effect, which eliminated Florida's 25% Roof Replacement Rule. Now, so long as the rest of the roof is in compliance with the 2007 Florida Building Code, or any subsequent versions of that code, then a full roof replacement is not required.
What is the 15 year roof law in Florida? ›
(c) For a roof that is at least 15 years old, an insurer must allow a homeowner to have a roof inspection performed by an authorized inspector at the homeowner's expense before requiring the replacement of the roof of a residential structure as a condition of issuing or renewing a homeowner's insurance policy.
How old can a roof be in citizens Florida? ›
Citizens Property operates differently: Citizens Property considers a standard or architectural shingle roof old if it has been in place for 25 years or longer. The insurer considers slate, tile, clay, metal, or concrete roofs old if they have been in place for 50 years or longer.
Can you negotiate the price of a new roof? ›
A Word of Advice: Negotiate, But Be Fair
If, after comparing different quotes, you conclude that the contractor you are considering is already offering you the best price, it does not hurt to ask If there is any room for negotiation. If your contractor is not willing to budge, it is likely fair.
When should you not put a roof on? ›
Unlike most asphalt roofing, metal and polymer roofs can be installed in temperatures below 40° without compromising quality or voiding manufacturer warranties. On the other hand, asphalt roofs (with the exception of certain TAMKO products), should be installed in warmer temperatures above 40° whenever possible.
How many years should a house roof last? ›
Slate, copper and tile roofs, which are on the upper end of the price spectrum, can last more than 50 years. Homeowners with wood shake roofs should expect them to last about 30 years, while fiber cement shingles last about 25 years and asphalt shingle/composition roofs last about 20 years, the NAHB found.
How much will a new roof lower my homeowners insurance in Florida? ›
But your premium is meant to be lower the more protected your home is, so materials like tile and metal could offer increased savings. 4. Q: How much can I expect to save on my homeowners insurance by replacing my roof? A: Generally, homeowners can save five to 35 percent on their total policy by replacing their roof.
Florida law requires that all roofing work be done by a contractor licensed to perform such work.
How often does roof need to be replaced in Florida? ›
What is the lifespan of a shingle roof in Florida? An asphalt shingle roof in Florida typically lasts 15 to 20 years. However, this life expectancy is shorter than in other parts of the country because of Florida's weather conditions.
Can you get a free roof in Florida? ›
You can get a free roof in Florida if you qualify for the not for profit program. You can get a free roof in Florida if you qualify for the not for profit program. There are many different things that can make your roof unsafe or need to be replaced, including: The rain has been pounding this part of Florida for weeks.
Can you insure a 15 year old roof in Florida? ›
Florida Insurance Regulations
Currently, insurance companies are required to inspect your home and roof before denying coverage, no matter how old your roof is. Your roof must also show that it has at least five more years of good use left in it, if it is older than 15 years.
Should you let your insurance company know you got a new roof? ›
In most cases, yes.
Is homeowners insurance going up in 2024 in Florida? ›
What's ahead as 'explosive' hurricane season nears. Brace yourself. Home insurance rates are expected, on average, to increase 6 percent in 2024 but could jump as high as 23 percent in states with severe weather, according to a home insurance projection report from Insurify.
What is being done about homeowners insurance in Florida? ›
Making it more challenging to sue insurance companies, incentivizing new companies to begin writing policies in the state and increasing the funding of the state's storm-hardening program, My Safe Florida Home, are just some of the changes lawmakers introduced during the 2022 and 2023 legislative sessions.
How much is home insurance in Florida 2024? ›
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Florida is $2,625 per year, or about $219 per month. That's 37% more than the national average of $1,915. In most U.S. states, including Florida, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates.
What are the two insurance laws in Florida? ›
General Information
Before you register a vehicle with at least four wheels in Florida, you must show proof of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Property Damage Liability (PDL) automobile insurance.
