Ask before you book. The City of Saskatoon only lists roofing as permit-free when it is replaced or repaired with exactly the same roofing material above the decking. Asphalt shingles coming off and metal going on is a change of material, so that exemption does not cover the job, and Building Standards can tell you whether yours needs a permit.
We are W Contracting Roofing, a Saskatoon roofing company, and we install both metal and asphalt roofs. This guide covers the City paperwork around a switch to metal. How metal compares with shingles through a prairie winter is in our metal roofing vs asphalt shingles guide.
What does the City of Saskatoon say about roofing permits?
The City's building permits page has two lists: common projects that need a building permit, and common projects that do not, as long as that is the entire scope of the job. Roofing shows up on both sides, depending on what the job involves.
| Your roof job | What the City's page says |
|---|---|
| Same roofing material off and on, above the decking | On the list of work that does not need a building permit |
| Asphalt shingles off, metal on | Not covered by that exemption, because the material changes. Ask Building Standards |
| Structural repairs, such as rotten framing found at tear-off | Structural repairs are on the list that needs a permit |
| Repair after fire or water damage | On the list that needs a permit |
| Work that increases the load on the roof | Construction increasing the roof top loading needs a permit |
| Any alteration or repair to a heritage building | On the list that needs a permit |
Why does a switch to metal fall outside the exemption?
Because of how the exemption is worded. It covers replacement or repair of roofing with exactly the same roofing material, above the decking, as per the most recent approved building plans where they exist. A tear-off that puts asphalt shingles back on fits that wording. A tear-off that puts metal on does not.
The page does not name metal roofing anywhere, so the City has not published a yes or no for that exact job. It does list changing the siding material as work that needs a permit, which shows how the City treats a change of material on the outside of a house. It is still not a ruling on roofs, so ask.
Before you sign for a metal roof, call Building Standards at 306-975-2645 or email building.standards@saskatoon.ca, describe the job, and keep the answer in writing with your quote.
What if the metal goes on over the old shingles?
Some metal roofs are installed over an existing layer instead of after a full tear-off. That keeps the old roof on the house and adds a new one on top, so the roof carries more weight than it did before. The City lists construction increasing the roof top loading as work that needs a building permit.
Over-the-top or tear-off is a question to settle at the estimate either way. A tear-off also lets the crew see the decking, and if boards are rotten, that becomes a repair, which can turn a simple re-roof into structural work the City lists as needing a permit.
What does a permit cost and how long does it take in Saskatoon?
The City's building permit fees page does not list re-roofing by name. It charges some projects by the square foot, and for construction not noted on the schedule, the 2026 rate is $10.25 per $1,000 of construction value with a $167 minimum. Ask Building Standards which line your job falls under.
If that per-$1,000 line applies, a job's value sets the fee. Our pricing page lists standing seam metal at $20,000 to $30,000 for a 1,000 square foot home. At that rate, $20,000 of work works out to $205 and $30,000 to $307.50. Those are worked examples, not a quote from the City.
On timing, the building permit timelines page sets a target of 5 business days for a single-family alteration, after a completeness check of 1 to 2 business days. When we read it in October 2026, the City said residential reviews were running 10 business days over that target, so leave room for it before the crew's start date.
How do you apply for a building permit in Saskatoon?
Applications go through the City's online portal at saskatoon.ca/ePermitting, where you can track the permit and book inspections. The permit support team answers questions at 306-975-2645 or building.standards@saskatoon.ca, and inspection questions go to 306-975-7924.
Have the address, what is coming off, what is going on, and whether the old roof stays underneath. If you know the roof needs decking or framing work, say so on the call, because that changes the question.
What should you settle with your roofer before metal goes on?
Whoever you hire, put the permit in the contract instead of leaving it to a phone call later.
- Who calls the City to confirm whether this job needs a permit.
- Who applies, if it does.
- Whether the permit fee is in the price or added to it.
- Tear-off or over the existing roof, in writing.
- What happens to the price and the start date if rotten decking turns up.
We start every job with a free, no-obligation inspection, document what we find with photos and video, and send a written quote with the scope spelled out. We will quote metal and asphalt side by side if you want to compare them. The systems we install, and where metal makes sense, are on our metal roofing Saskatoon page.
What if you live outside Saskatoon city limits?
The City of Saskatoon's rules stop at the city line. Warman, Martensville and the other towns around Saskatoon set their own, and they are worded differently. Warman's FAQ, for example, does not mention roofs by name, which we go through in roofing contractors in Warman. Regina has its own exemption for re-roofing with a similar type of roofing, covered in roof replacement permits in Regina. Check with the town office where the house is, not the city the roofer works from.
Questions Saskatoon homeowners ask about metal roof permits
Do I need a permit to switch from shingles to a metal roof in Saskatoon?
Do I need a permit to replace my shingles with new shingles in Saskatoon?
How much is a building permit in Saskatoon?
How long does a residential building permit take in Saskatoon?
Do you install metal roofs in Saskatoon?
Sources. City of Saskatoon, Building Permits, Building Permit Fees and Building Permit Timelines. All read in October 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with Building Standards before you start.