A New Law is Coming to Mandeville in 2026. Is Your Roofer Ready?
Starting January 1, 2026, Louisiana’s Act 422 requires any residential roofing project in Mandeville over $7,500 to be performed by a contractor with a specific ‘Residential Roofing’ license. This new law also mandates permits and inspections for all re-roofs, which are crucial for protecting your homeowner’s insurance claim.
The Clock is Ticking for Mandeville Homeowners
Here’s a fact that should make every Mandeville homeowner sit up and pay attention: As of January 1, 2026, it will be a criminal offense for an unlicensed “handyman” or general contractor to perform a roof replacement valued at over $7,500 in Louisiana.
That’s not a typo. A major shift in state law is coming, and it’s designed to protect you. These new regulations, officially known as Louisiana Act 422, are a direct response to the waves of unqualified, uninsured operators who flood our area after every storm. But here’s the problem: many homeowners are completely unaware of these changes. Hiring the wrong person after 2025 won’t just lead to shoddy work—it could result in legal trouble, denied insurance claims, and catastrophic financial loss.
As your Mandeville neighbors, we at Priority Roofing believe you deserve to be protected. Founded by Sean Killeen right here on the Northshore in 2012, we’ve spent over a decade building roofs designed to withstand the worst our Gulf South climate can throw at them. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know about these new laws to stay safe, compliant, and secure.
Key Takeaways
- The $7,500 License Rule: Any residential roofing job (labor + materials) valued at $7,500 or more will legally require a contractor holding the new, specific “Residential Roofing” license. A general contractor’s license will no longer be sufficient.
- Permits are Non-Negotiable: In Mandeville and across St. Tammany Parish, a building permit is now mandatory for all complete roof replacements. This triggers official inspections to ensure the work meets safety and building codes.
- Your Insurance is at Stake: If your roof fails after 2025 and it was installed without the proper license and permit, your insurance company may have grounds to deny your claim, arguing the failure was due to improper installation.
- Verification is Your Best Defense: Homeowners can and should verify a contractor’s license on the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) website before signing any contract.
The $7,500 Rule: Understanding Louisiana’s New “Residential Roofing” License
For years, the roofing industry in Louisiana has been a bit like the Wild West, especially after a hurricane. The new law, Act 422, is the new sheriff in town, and its primary target is unqualified contractors.
What is Louisiana Act 422?
Signed into law to take effect in 2026, Louisiana Act 422 creates a brand-new license classification: Residential Roofing.
Here’s the core of the law: any residential roofing project with a total value of $7,500 or more—including all labor and materials—must be performed by a contractor who holds this specific license. This is a game-changer. Previously, a general Home Improvement Registration or a broad Residential Building Contractor license might have been used. Now, the state requires specialized, proven expertise in roofing. This ensures the person overseeing one of the most critical components of your home actually knows the intricacies of proper installation, from decking and underlayment to ventilation.
Why This Law Protects You from “Storm Chasers” and Scammers
We’ve all seen them. After a storm rolls through St. Tammany, trucks with out-of-state plates suddenly appear in neighborhoods from Beau Chene to Old Mandeville, going door-to-door with promises of a quick, cheap roof. These “storm chasers” often perform substandard work using low-quality materials, and by the time the first leak appears, they’re long gone.
Act 422 is designed to stop this cycle. To obtain the new residential roofing license Louisiana, a contractor must:
- Pass a detailed examination covering roofing techniques, safety protocols, and business/law.
- Provide proof of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.
- Demonstrate financial stability.
This rigorous vetting process weeds out the fly-by-night operators and transient crews. It ensures that any licensed roofing contractor in Mandeville LA you hire has a proven track record, a physical presence in the state, and the financial backing to stand by their work. It’s a crucial step in helping you choose the right roofing contractor for your home.
“We Don’t Need a Permit” – The Most Dangerous Phrase in Roofing After 2025
If a contractor utters these words to you anytime soon, it’s not a friendly offer to save you a few bucks—it’s a massive red flag that they are operating outside the law.
Permits Are Now Mandatory for All Re-Roofs in St. Tammany Parish
In Mandeville and the entirety of St. Tammany Parish, the rules are clear: a building permit is required for a complete roof replacement. This isn’t just bureaucratic red tape; it’s a powerful layer of protection for you, the homeowner.
Here’s what pulling a permit actually does:
- Official Registration: It registers the job with the parish, creating a public record of the work being done.
- Triggers Inspections: A permit requires the work to be inspected by a parish building official at key stages. This inspector is a neutral third party whose only job is to verify that your new roof is being installed according to the latest building codes and safety standards.
Think of the parish inspector as a free quality control expert working on your behalf. They ensure that corners aren’t being cut and that your roof is built to handle the next big storm that comes off Lake Pontchartrain.
Red Flags to Watch For When Getting a Quote
A dishonest contractor will try to avoid the permit process because it exposes their shortcuts. Be on high alert if a potential roofer exhibits any of these behaviors.
| Red Flag Behavior | Why It’s a Problem |
|---|---|
| “A permit isn’t necessary for this job.” | This is factually incorrect for a re-roof in St. Tammany Parish and a sign they are either ignorant of the law or intentionally breaking it. |
| “I can give you a discount if we skip the permit.” | They are asking you to conspire in illegal work. The “discount” is what they save by using cheap materials and skipping safety steps. |
| “You can just pull the permit yourself as the homeowner.” | This is a classic trick to shift all legal liability from them to you. A legitimate, licensed contractor will always pull the permit under their own license. |
| They can’t provide a physical local address. | A P.O. Box or an out-of-state address is a major warning sign of a storm chaser who has no local roots or accountability. |
The Insurance Nightmare: How an Unlicensed Roofer Can Void Your Claim
This is where the new laws have the most significant financial impact. Your homeowner’s insurance is your ultimate safety net, but hiring an unlicensed, unpermitted roofer in 2026 could shred that net to pieces.
Your Insurance Company Will Be Watching
Imagine this scenario: A Category 3 hurricane makes landfall in 2026. Your roof, which you had replaced earlier that year, suffers catastrophic failure. You file a claim, expecting your insurance to cover the damage.
The insurance adjuster arrives and begins their investigation. Their first questions will be:
- “Who was the contractor that installed this roof?”
- “Can I see a copy of their Louisiana Residential Roofing License?”
- “Can you provide the finalized permit number from St. Tammany Parish for the installation?”
If you can’t provide this documentation, you have a serious problem. The insurance company can argue that the roof’s failure was not due to the storm (a “covered peril”), but due to faulty installation by an unqualified, illegal contractor. They can deny your claim, leaving you responsible for the tens of thousands of dollars needed for another replacement, all while dealing with the interior damage from the leaks.
The Paper Trail That Protects You
Now, contrast that with the proper process. When you hire a professional, licensed company like Priority Roofing, you are building a fortress of documentation that protects your investment.
- The Contract: A detailed contract outlines the scope of work, materials used, and warranty information.
- The License: Our Louisiana Residential Roofing License number is on the contract, proving we are a legitimate, qualified roofer.
- The Permit: We handle the entire
Mandeville roofing permit requirements 2026process, from application to scheduling inspections. - The Final Inspection: Once the job is complete, the parish inspector signs off, creating an official record that your roof was installed correctly and is fully compliant with all local codes.
This paper trail is your proof. It demonstrates to your insurance company that you acted responsibly and hired a qualified professional. If the roof fails in a storm, they have no grounds to blame improper installation, ensuring your claim is processed smoothly.
The Priority Roofing Promise: Your Partner in Compliance and Quality on the Northshore
Navigating these new regulations can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The goal is simple: hire a roofer who is local, licensed, and legitimate.
Your Checklist for Hiring a Licensed Roofing Contractor in Mandeville, LA
Before you sign any contract, ask these five simple questions:
- Ask for the License: “Can I see your Louisiana Residential Roofing License?” A professional will be proud to show it to you.
- Verify It: Don’t just take their word for it. Go to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) website and use their “Contractor Search” feature to verify the license is active and in good standing.
- Confirm Permits: “Will you be pulling all required St. Tammany Parish permits for this job under your company’s name?” The only correct answer is “Yes.”
- Check Insurance: Ask for a current Certificate of Insurance showing both General Liability and Workers’ Compensation coverage. Call the insurance agency listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is active.
- Look for Local Roots: How long have they been serving the Mandeville/Northshore community? Do they have a physical office you can visit?
Why Mandeville Homeowners Trust Priority Roofing
- Fully Licensed & Compliant: Priority Roofing is fully prepared for the 2026 changes. We are licensed under Act 422, and our team handles all permitting and inspections, giving you total peace of mind that your project is 100% legal and compliant.
- Local & Proven: Founded by Sean Killeen in 2012, we aren’t a storm chaser. We’re your local, Northshore neighbors with over a decade of proven success right here in the Gulf South. Our office is here, our team lives here, and we’re accountable to our community.
- Unmatched Expertise: With over 50 years of combined construction experience, our team understands the unique challenges of our climate. We build residential roofing systems designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and relentless Louisiana humidity—and we have thousands of completed projects to prove it.
Don’t Get Caught Unprepared. Secure Your Home Before 2026.
The new laws are coming, and they change everything. The days of hiring a casual handyman for a major roof replacement are over. The stakes—the $7,500 license rule, mandatory permits, and the critical insurance implications—are simply too high.
These laws are new, but the principle behind them isn’t: your home is your biggest investment. Make sure the roofing contractor you hire is qualified, licensed, and committed to protecting it.
Call to Action
Navigating Mandeville’s new roofing laws can be confusing. Let us make it simple. Contact Priority Roofing today for a free, no-obligation roof inspection and compliance consultation. We’ll assess your roof’s condition and provide a clear, transparent plan that meets all 2026 legal requirements.
Click Here to Schedule Your Free Inspection
Call Us Now: [Phone Number]