Nearly three in ten Pasadena homes were built before 1940.
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If the roof still has good years left, the report tells you.
Roof replacement and free written roof inspections across Pasadena. The city’s median home was built in 1961, and 28.6 percent of homes predate 1940, according to the Census Bureau. In a landmark district, the roof is part of what the city protects.
Deck, underlayment, then shingles or tile. The underlayment keeps the water out, and you can only check it from up on the roof.
What we check on a Pasadena roof
Older houses, protected streets and a foothill edge.
Historic status comes first
If the house is a designated landmark or contributes to a landmark or historic district, a re-roof can need a Certificate of Appropriateness. The report flags it early so the permit does not stall.
Craftsman roof details
Bungalow Heaven became Pasadena’s first landmark district in 1989. On a Craftsman roof the exposed rafter tails, outriggers and wide eaves matter as much as the shingles, and repairs should respect them.
Along the foothills
The January 2025 Eaton Fire did most of its damage in Altadena. Inside Pasadena, the losses centered on Upper Hastings Ranch and nearby neighborhoods. For homes near the foothills we look at vents, eaves and gutters as well as the roof covering.
Before the rain in Pasadena
Foothill streets below the 2025 burn area, and older roofs across the rest of the city.
Below the Eaton burn area
Hillsides that burned in January 2025 can send mud and debris downhill in heavy rain. If you live near the foothills, sign up for city and county storm alerts this winter.
Wide eaves and rafter tails
Craftsman eaves keep rain off the walls, but the exposed rafter ends take the weather themselves. Soft wood there is easier to fix before a wet season than after.
Built-in gutters
Some older Pasadena houses have gutters built into the roof edge. When the lining fails, water runs into the wall instead of the downspout.
Before the first big storm: book the free roof check, or read our winter storm roof guide.
From our roofs
Recent MAMOS roofing work: shingle re-roofs, flat ADU roofs and tile.
The rules that apply to a Pasadena roof
Pasadena is its own city. Permits, historic review and fire inspections are all handled locally.
Re-roofs are permitted through the Pasadena Permit Center, not by Los Angeles or the county.
On a historic resource, re-roofing in a material that replicates the existing or original roof is classed as a minor project, which city staff can review. Changing the look can mean a larger review.
Properties in the Very High zone get an annual fire department inspection, and a replacement roof there must be a Class A assembly.
We get on the roof, photograph what we find and write it up.
Get my free reportIn a landmark district? Start with the roof plan.
The city’s Certificate of Appropriateness checklist asks for existing and proposed roof plans showing ridges, valleys, pitch and eave details, plus physical samples of the new roofing. Our report documents the existing roof the same way.
Pasadena properties in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone under the 2025 state maps, up from 3,911, mostly along the Arroyo Seco, north and west of the 210, and in upper Hastings Ranch.
Roof questions in Pasadena
Repair or replace?
Usually the underlayment decides it, and you have to get on the roof to check that. The report gives you the answer, with photos.
What does a new roof change for my insurer?
Most letters name roof age. The permit and completion papers show the new roof’s date; what the carrier does with them is its decision.
Do I need city approval to re-roof a historic house?
Often, yes, if the house is designated or contributes to a district. Matching the existing or original roof is usually a staff-level review. Bungalow Heaven, Garfield Heights and Banbury Oaks have their own conservation plans, so those come first.
Start with what the house is, then the roof.
A free written report with roof age, remaining life, fire zone status and historic notes. If a careful repair is the better call for an older roof, the report says so.
“Joseph was very clear about the process, the costs, the recommendations. … His team was very professional, on time, fast, and respectful, but most importantly, they were good!”
DAVID H. · YELP
Request your report
Historic status, fire zone, roof age and remaining life, in writing. We call back within 15 minutes: 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 2pm Friday.
Got it.
Rather talk? Call (818) 934-0075.
We call or text you about this request only. Your details are never sold or shared.
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