Start here
Quick, low-risk steps
- Write your roof scope: covering, layers, deck replacement allowance, drip edge, flashing, ventilation, penetrations, and any structural or shape change.
- Check your parcel's zoning and design-review status through Planning and Zoning's parcel-review path.
- Ask Building and Fire Safety which current 2026 code provisions and permit forms apply, noting the older code edition on the roofing FAQ.
- Use Community Connect to submit, track, and schedule inspections.
- Compare bids using a scope checklist that includes code-version and design-review notes.
Start with the exact roof scope
A roof replacement bid is only comparable when every bidder states the same scope in writing. In Macon-Bibb, the scope should include the roof covering, the number of layers to be removed, a deck replacement allowance, drip edge, flashing, ventilation, penetrations, and any structural or shape change. The County's Historic Districts Guidelines treat roof shape, features, material, flashing, ventilation, and anchorage as review-relevant details, so a bid for a design-review property should identify each of those items.
Write the scope before you call a contractor. This lets you ask the same questions of every bidder and gives Building and Fire Safety the information they need to tell you which permit forms and inspections apply.
- Roof covering material and product line
- Number of layers to be removed
- Deck replacement allowance (per square or per sheet)
- Drip edge and flashing locations
- Ventilation changes, if any
- Penetrations (pipes, vents, chimneys)
- Structural or shape changes, if any
Sources for this section: Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission
Check design-review status before you plan materials
Macon-Bibb identifies H and CBD parcels as Design Review Districts. A construction project on those parcels may need Design Review Board review and a Certificate of Appropriateness. Use this workflow to find out before you commit to a material or style.
- Find your parcel's zoningUse Planning and Zoning's parcel-review path to determine whether your property is in an H, CBD, or other design-review district. A Macon mailing address does not prove your zoning status.
- Compare your proposed roof to the guidelinesIf your parcel is in a design-review district, compare the existing and proposed roof shape, features, material, flashing, ventilation, and anchorage against the Historic Districts Guidelines.
- Ask whether a Certificate of Appropriateness is neededContact Planning and Zoning or the Design Review Board to confirm whether your specific roof scope requires staff or board approval. Do not assume approval is automatic because the covering looks similar.
Sources for this section: Macon-Bibb County, Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission, Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission
Confirm the current code edition for a 2026 application
Macon-Bibb's current notice says the new State of Georgia construction codes apply to permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026. However, the County's Residential Roofing FAQ still frames its drip-edge and reroofing answers under the 2018 IRC. That creates a visible code-version conflict you must resolve with the plans examiner before you sign a contract.
Do not copy the older FAQ language into your contract as if it were current law. Use Georgia's current code page as the statewide baseline, then ask Building and Fire Safety which specific code sections and Georgia amendments govern your 2026 application.
- Ask: 'Which code edition and amendments apply to a permit application submitted on or after January 1, 2026?'
- Ask: 'Does the roofing FAQ's 2018 IRC language still apply to my project, or has it been superseded?'
- Ask: 'Which roof details are affected by the code change?'
Sources for this section: Macon-Bibb County, Macon-Bibb County Building and Fire Safety, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Macon code-version and design-review checkpoint
Use this table to keep the permit-application date, staff-confirmed code edition, parcel zoning, Certificate of Appropriateness result, and the bid's roof details in one visible place before signing.
| Item | What to record |
|---|---|
| Permit application date | The date you submit to Community Connect |
| Code edition confirmed by staff | Write the exact edition and amendments the plans examiner names |
| Parcel zoning | H, CBD, or other design-review district, from the parcel lookup |
| Certificate of Appropriateness result | Approved, denied, or not required, with the decision date |
| Bid roof details | Covering, layers, deck allowance, drip edge, flashing, ventilation, penetrations, and any structural change |
Sources for this section: Macon-Bibb County, Macon-Bibb County Building and Fire Safety, Macon-Bibb County, Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission
Official resources
These are the official Macon-Bibb and Georgia resources you will use to define, permit, and track your roof project.
Building and Fire Safety
Permit portal, inspection tracking, and the 2026 code transition notice
Visit the page to access Community Connect and read the current code update notice.Applications
Current residential building, single-trade, homeowner affidavit, subcontractor, and fee documents
Review the applications directory and confirm the required form set for your roof scope.Residential Roofing FAQ
Local roof-detail questions, but note the 2018 IRC citation
Read the FAQ for context, then confirm the current code edition with the plans examiner.Macon-Bibb business and zoning process FAQs
Explains H and CBD Design Review Districts and the Certificate of Appropriateness question
Check whether your property is in a Design Review District.Macon-Bibb County Historic Preservation
Parcel-review and application path for design-review districts
Use the parcel lookup to determine your district and find the application link.Macon-Bibb County Historic Districts Guidelines
Roof preservation guidance for shape, features, material, flashing, venting, and anchorage
Compare your proposed roof details against the guidelines if you are in a review district.Georgia DCA Current State Minimum Codes
Current statewide code editions and amendments
Use this page to verify the current code baseline for your application.Sources for this section: Macon-Bibb County, Macon-Bibb County Building and Fire Safety, Macon-Bibb County Building and Fire Safety, Macon-Bibb County, Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission, Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Community Connect closeout file checklist
Use Community Connect to track plan review, permit issuance, inspections, and final documents. Keep these records in your closeout file.
- Permit application confirmation and date
- Issued permit document
- Plan review comments and responses
- Inspection scheduling confirmations
- Inspection results and comments
- Approved plans and any revisions
- Bid documents and change orders that match the approved scope
Sources for this section: Macon-Bibb County
Example: A Macon homeowner compares two bids
Scenario: A homeowner in a Macon-Bibb design-review district receives two bids for a roof replacement. Bid A lists 'architectural shingles, tear-off, new drip edge.' Bid B lists 'architectural shingles, tear-off, new drip edge, flashing at chimney, ridge vent, decking allowance up to 10 sheets, and a note that the material color is subject to Design Review Board approval.'
- Bid B is more useful because it identifies flashing, ventilation, decking allowance, and the design-review condition.
- Bid A does not state whether flashing or ventilation is included, so the homeowner cannot compare the two bids fairly.
- The homeowner should ask both bidders to complete the same scope checklist, including the code-version and design-review notes.
- The homeowner should confirm with Planning and Zoning whether the proposed material and color need a Certificate of Appropriateness before signing.
Limit: This example is illustrative. The actual permit and review requirements depend on the specific parcel and scope.
Sources for this section: Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission, Macon-Bibb County
Bid scope comparer
Use this table to normalize the key bid inputs across all quotes. Ask each bidder to fill in the same columns so you can compare like for like.
| Bid item | Bid A | Bid B | Bid C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof measurement and pitch | e.g., 30 squares, 6/12 | e.g., 30 squares, 6/12 | e.g., 30 squares, 6/12 |
| Assumptions (e.g., deck condition) | e.g., assumes sound deck | e.g., includes 10 sheets decking | e.g., includes 15 sheets decking |
| Decking allowance | e.g., none | e.g., 10 sheets | e.g., 15 sheets |
| Drip edge | e.g., included | e.g., included | e.g., included |
| Flashing | e.g., not specified | e.g., chimney flashing included | e.g., all flashing included |
| Ventilation | e.g., not specified | e.g., ridge vent included | e.g., ridge vent and soffit vents |
| Material system | e.g., architectural shingles, brand X | e.g., architectural shingles, brand Y | e.g., architectural shingles, brand Z |
| Change-order terms | e.g., not specified | e.g., written approval required | e.g., written approval required |
Sources for this section: Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission
Take this with you
Evidence and scope checklist
- Roof measurement and pitch
- Tear-off and disposal
- Decking allowance
- Underlayment and leak barrier
- Flashing
- Vents and ventilation
- Material system
- Permit and inspection
- Site protection and cleanup
- Warranty and change-order terms
Evidence
Sources used for this guide
Research checked August 1, 2026
- Building and Fire SafetyMacon-Bibb County
Current Community Connect permit, plan, inspection, status, and document workflow plus the 2026 construction-code transition notice.
- ApplicationsMacon-Bibb County Building and Fire Safety
Current residential building, single-trade, homeowner affidavit, subcontractor, and permit-fee documents.
- Residential RoofingMacon-Bibb County Building and Fire Safety
Local roofing FAQ on roof covering, drip edge, and reroofing details, presently written against the 2018 IRC as amended by Georgia.
- Macon-Bibb business and zoning process FAQsMacon-Bibb County
Official explanation that H and CBD parcels are Design Review Districts and a construction project may need Design Review Board review and a Certificate of Appropriateness.
- Macon-Bibb County Historic PreservationMacon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission
Current local design-review district descriptions, parcel-review entry point, application link, and Design Review Board information.
- Macon-Bibb County Historic Districts GuidelinesMacon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission
Official roof-preservation guidance covering historic roof form, features, material, flashing, venting, anchorage, and temporary leak protection.
- Current State Minimum Codes for ConstructionGeorgia Department of Community Affairs
Current Georgia minimum construction-code editions and Georgia amendments.
Optional next step
Need an on-site professional?
Use the guide and worksheet first so you can describe the situation and compare the full scope. A referral is optional; you can also contact a licensed local provider directly.
We have not enabled a provider route for this site. Use the checklist to contact and verify local providers yourself; urgent hazards should go to the appropriate emergency or public service.