After the hail and wind that hit Mesa on the night of October 20, 2026 (Storm Prediction Center reports), many homeowners will be asking one question: repair it, or replace it? The City of Mesa’s Reroofing Guide answers part of it. The guide is based on the 2024 International Residential Code and Mesa’s own amendments.
It does not decide whether your roof needs work. A roofer’s inspection does that. What it does is set rules that shape the options once damage is found.
When a full tear-off is required
The guide says the roof must be removed down to the deck when any of these is true:
- The roof already has two or more layers of covering.
- The existing covering is water-soaked or deteriorated.
- The roof decking is unsafe.
A new roof over the old one is allowed only when there is a single layer, the existing material is suitable, and the new covering meets code and the manufacturer’s requirements. So if a storm leak has soaked an older roof, a cheaper overlay may not be an option.
Damaged decking has to be fixed
The guide says damaged or deteriorated sheathing must be repaired or replaced, and the existing structure must support the new roof’s weight. This matters after this week’s storm, when fallen trees and branches were reported near Gilbert Road and University Drive (FOX 10). A broken deck under a branch strike is part of the repair, not an extra.
Tile roofs
For clay and concrete tile, the guide calls for battens or spaced sheathing per the manufacturer, and a solid deck otherwise. Ask your roofer which your roof has and whether the proposed repair keeps to the tile maker’s instructions.
Permits
- The guide says a reroofing permit is not required when the replacement covering’s classification is equal to or greater than the existing one. If you are unsure whether a change in material meets that test, ask the city.
- Mesa’s residential construction FAQ says an emergency repair that needs a permit should have its application submitted by the next business day.
- Registered historic homes may need a Certificate of Appropriateness. The guide lists Mesa’s Historic Preservation Officer at 480-644-2214.
- Permit Services can be reached at 480-644-4273.
For questions about the 2026 code change itself, see our post on Mesa’s 2026 building-code update. For what to check after the storm, see our hail roof check. If you plan to file a claim, read our guide to roof insurance claims first. We cannot tell you what your policy covers.
Get a free roof inspection
Apex Roofing Systems will inspect your Mesa roof for free, count the layers, check the deck where we can, and tell you in writing whether repair is realistic. Request a free roof inspection or call (480) 808-ROOF (7663).
Sources: City of Mesa, Reroofing Guide (PDF); City of Mesa, Residential Construction FAQ; NOAA Storm Prediction Center, storm reports for October 20, 2026 (preliminary); FOX 10, Mesa storm damage.