Complete guide to permits and licenses required to start a roofer in Orem, UT. Fees, renewal cycles, and agency contacts.
Mandatory for all contractors. Must file certificate of insurance annually; renewed with license.
A $15,000 surety bond is required for all contractor licenses in Utah, including roofing. The bond protects consumers from fraudulent or substandard work. The bond must be issued by a surety company licensed in Utah. This is not insurance but a financial guarantee.
Utah law requires all motor vehicles operated on public roads to carry liability insurance with minimum limits of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $65,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage (25/65/15). Personal auto policies typically exclude business use; commercial auto insurance is required for work-related driving.
Not mandated by Utah law or DOPL for roofing contractors. However, some clients or general contractors may require it for project participation. Strongly recommended due to risk of claims related to workmanship or design errors.
Not required by Utah law. If the roofer only installs materials (not manufactures or sells them as products), this does not apply. However, if the LLC sells roofing materials directly to consumers, product liability exposure exists, though no state mandate exists. Federal product liability laws (e.g., Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) apply but do not require insurance.
Not applicable to standard roofing operations. Only required if the business holds a liquor license (e.g., for promotional events). Roofing businesses typically do not serve alcohol; this is included for completeness.
All Utah LLCs must file an Annual Report each year with the Division of Corporations. The report confirms current business information such as principal address, registered agent, and management structure.
Roofing contractors in Utah must be licensed by DOPL. License renewal is biennial. Licensees must complete continuing education prior to renewal.
Required for all LLCs. Annual renewal report also required (see separate entry).
All LLCs must file annually to maintain good standing.
Roofing contractors typically qualify under B100 (General Building) or R100 classification. Requires passing exam (business/law and trade), qualifying individual with 2+ years experience, financial statement showing $50K+ working capital for B100. License qualifier must be employee/officer/member.
Required if selling/installing taxable materials. File Form TC-69.
Must publish in newspaper if required; renew every 5 years for $12.
Roofers who sell and install roofing materials are generally required to collect sales tax on materials. Labor-only services are not taxable in Utah. Registration required even if no fee is charged.
Required for all employers in Utah who withhold state income tax from employee wages. Must file withholding tax returns and remit payments.
Employers must register and pay quarterly unemployment insurance taxes. New employers are assigned a standard rate (typically 2.0% on first $42,500 of wages in 2024).
LLCs are pass-through entities; profits are reported on owners' individual Utah income tax returns. Business must file Form TC-54 if it has Utah-source income. Applies to all LLCs earning income in Utah.
Most LLCs are not subject to franchise tax unless they have elected corporate status or exceed certain capital thresholds. Roofing LLCs typically structured as pass-throughs are generally exempt. Confirm status via Form TC-205.
Most Utah cities (e.g., Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden) require a local business license or privilege tax. Fees and requirements vary. Roofers must check with each municipality where they operate. Example: Salt Lake City requires a Business License Application at slc.gov/businesslicense.
Roofers must determine if their work requires a license under Utah’s Residential Contractor Act. Work involving more than $1,000 in value typically requires registration. Exemptions exist for minor repairs.
Required for all businesses; roofing contractors must also hold state license
Each Utah city (over 250 municipalities) has its own; check specific city code (e.g., SLC Code 5.68)
Roofing operations typically require commercial/industrial zoning; home-based may need conditional use permit
Limited to low-impact activities; no heavy equipment storage typical for roofing
Not required for roofing work on client properties (client obtains)
Must comply with local sign ordinance (e.g., size, lighting restrictions)
Contractors must complete 6 hours of Board-approved continuing education per renewal cycle, including 2 hours of law and 4 hours of trade-specific training.
Self-employed individuals, including roofer LLC owners, must make quarterly estimated tax payments for federal income and self-employment taxes.
LLC owners subject to Utah personal income tax must make quarterly estimated payments if tax liability exceeds $1,000 annually.
Employers must register for Utah withholding tax, withhold state income tax from employee wages, and file Form TC-720 periodically. Frequency depends on total tax liability.
Employers must file Form UI-770 and pay unemployment insurance tax quarterly. New employers are assigned a standard rate of 2.7%.
Roofing businesses must maintain OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries), Form 301 (Incident Report), and post Form 300A annually. Records must be kept for 5 years.
Licensed contractors must display their license number on all contracts, vehicles, business cards, and advertisements. Failure to do so is a Class B misdemeanor.
Employers must display OSHA Job Safety Law poster (required), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) poster, and other applicable federal posters in a conspicuous location accessible to employees.
Employers in Utah must display the Utah Labor Commission Poster (includes minimum wage, child labor, and anti-discrimination laws) and the Utah Workers’ Compensation Notice in a visible location.
Most Utah cities and counties require a general business license. Roofers must check with their local government (e.g., Salt Lake City, West Valley City) for renewal deadlines and fees.
Utah law requires all employers with one or more employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Roofing contractors must report payroll annually for premium audit. Independent contractors may be excluded if properly classified.
Federal law requires retention of employment tax records for at least 4 years. Business tax records should be kept for 3–7 years. OSHA injury records must be kept for 5 years. Utah workers’ comp records must be kept for 5 years.
Required for spaces with assembly or storage; roofing chemicals may trigger
Confirms zoning, building, fire code compliance
Required per IFC 2018 (adopted locally); annual inspection may apply
Coordinates with state DOT for highway travel
Most cities prohibit excessive noise 10pm-7am; variance possible for construction
Salt Lake County Health Dept enforces; roofing waste disposal regulated
Sole proprietors and partners in an LLC are not required to cover themselves unless they elect coverage. Roofing is classified as a high-risk industry, leading to higher premiums. Coverage must be obtained through a licensed insurer or by qualifying for self-insurance (rare for small businesses).
While general liability insurance is not universally mandated by Utah law for all businesses, it is contractually and regulatorily required for licensed contractors. DOPL requires proof of general liability insurance as part of the licensing process for roofing contractors. Minimum coverage: $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate for bodily injury and property damage.
Primarily, you'll interact with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax obligations and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for advertising and consumer protection compliance. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) confirms no specific federal license is required for roofing businesses.
Fees vary depending on the specific requirement and your business structure; IRS tax filings and some FTC compliance areas have variable fees, while others, like the SBA confirmation of no license requirement, are free.
These rules require transparency and honesty in your business dealings, preventing deceptive practices and ensuring fair competition. This includes clear contracts and accurate representations of your services.
The IRS generally requires you to keep records that support your income tax return for at least three years from the date you filed or two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. It’s best practice to consult with a tax professional for specific guidance.
Operating as an LLC doesn’t exempt you from federal obligations; you’ll still need to comply with IRS requirements for income and self-employment taxes, and maintain proper recordkeeping. The specific requirements depend on how your LLC is taxed.
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