Ordinance or law coverage is the part of a homeowners policy that can pay for work your local building rules require during a repair, even though your old roof didn't have it. On a roof claim, that often means items like drip edge, new decking or updated underlayment. Whether those items are paid depends on your specific policy language.
If you have storm damage and a claim in progress, call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045 any time, or use our contact page to ask us to review the scope with you.
What ordinance or law coverage actually does on a roof
A standard homeowners policy is written to put your roof back the way it was before the storm. The trouble is that "the way it was" may no longer be allowed. Building codes change, and when a roof is replaced, many jurisdictions expect the new work to meet current requirements rather than those in force when the house was built.
That gap, between restoring what you had and building what the rules now require, is what ordinance or law coverage (sometimes called "building ordinance" or "law and ordinance" coverage) is designed to fill. Without it, the insurer may pay only to replace like-for-like, and the homeowner pays for anything the code adds.
Three things it can typically address
- Upgrading damaged parts: the extra cost of rebuilding the damaged portion to current standards.
- Undamaged parts that must change: in some cases, work on undamaged sections that the code requires once the damaged area is repaired.
- Demolition: removing undamaged material that has to come off to complete code-compliant work.
Not every policy includes all three, and the limits vary from one policy to the next.
Roof items that commonly raise code questions
We don't cite code section numbers here, because requirements depend on the edition your city or county has adopted and how the local official enforces it. These are the items that most often come up in North Texas roof claims.
Drip edge
Many older homes were roofed without metal drip edge at the eaves and rakes. Current codes commonly call for it on shingle roofs. If your old roof never had drip edge, a like-for-like estimate may leave it out, and ordinance or law language decides whether it's covered. Our article on drip edge and roof edges explains why it matters beyond the paperwork.
Decking
Deteriorated or delaminated decking that won't hold nails properly can't carry a new shingle roof. When the old roof comes off and decking must be replaced or overlaid to meet requirements, that work can fall under ordinance or law coverage.
Spaced board sheathing
Some older North Texas homes were built with spaced boards under the roof, originally meant for wood shakes. Asphalt shingles need solid decking, so those gaps usually have to be sheathed over before a new shingle roof goes on.
Underlayment
Underlayment types, how they're installed and where extra protection goes in valleys have changed over the years, so a new roof may call for more than the felt your old one had.
Layers and tear-off
Codes limit how many layers of shingles a roof may carry. If your home already has two layers, a full tear-off is usually needed, which raises disposal and labor.
Ventilation
Replacing a roof can trigger questions about attic ventilation, especially where the original installation was undersized.
How to check your policy before the adjuster comes
You don't need to be an insurance expert. Pull out the declarations page and the policy form and look for these points:
- Is it listed at all? Search for "ordinance," "law," or "building code" on the declarations page and in any endorsements.
- How is the limit written? Some policies express it as a portion of the dwelling limit, others as a separate figure. Note what yours says.
- When is it paid? Many policies pay code upgrades only once the work is actually completed, so keep receipts.
- Replacement cost or actual cash value? This interacts with how upgrades are paid. Our guide to ACV versus RCV roof insurance walks through the difference.
If the language is unclear, ask your agent to explain it in writing before storm season, not in the middle of a claim.
What happens when code items are missing from the estimate
It is common for a first adjuster estimate to leave out code-related items, simply because the adjuster writes what they see on the old roof. That isn't necessarily a denial. Usually it means the item needs to be documented and requested.
This is where a roofing contractor earns their keep. During an inspection, we photograph edges, decking condition and existing layers, then note which items the new roof will need. Once tear-off begins, any decking problems that were hidden can be photographed and submitted as a supplement. Cannon Roofing has served Wise County homeowners since 1994, and our insurance claims help focuses on clear documentation rather than arguments.
We don't interpret your policy for you or promise what an insurer will approve. What we do is make sure the scope reflects what the job genuinely requires, so you and your insurer are working from the same facts.
Frequently asked questions
Is ordinance or law coverage automatically part of my homeowners policy?
Not always. Some policies include a limited amount, some offer it as an endorsement, and some exclude it. Your declarations page and your agent are the only reliable answer.
Who decides what the building code requires for my roof?
Your city or county building department, based on the code edition it has adopted. In unincorporated parts of Wise County, requirements can differ from those inside city limits, so ask your contractor what applies at your address.
Can code items be added after the roof is torn off?
Often, yes. Hidden decking problems are usually found during tear-off and submitted to the insurer with photos as a supplement to the original estimate.
Want someone to look at your roof and your claim scope side by side? Call Cannon Roofing at (940) 627-1045, day or night. We'll inspect, photograph the code-related items and explain what we see. Prefer to write? Reach us through the Cannon Roofing contact form.