Most Sherman Oaks homes are older than the rules that now govern their roofs.
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Rather talk now? Call (818) 934-0075
If the roof still has good years left, the report tells you.
Roof repair, roof replacement and a free written roof inspection in Sherman Oaks, for houses, condos, HOA and apartment buildings. The median home in ZIP code 91423 was built in 1966. The hills sit in the city’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and the flats have questions of their own.
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 Sherman Oaks roof
The hills are a fire zone
The city’s Very High zone covers most of the hilly regions, Sherman Oaks among them. Inside it a re-roof has to be Class A, and wood shakes and shingles are not permitted.
The 10 percent rule
Since 1989, replacing more than 10 percent of a roof in twelve months means the whole roof has to conform, and wood is not allowed. A repair that keeps growing stops being a repair.
Which side of the line
Whether your address is inside the fire zone is the first question the report answers, in writing, before anyone talks about materials.
Before the rain in Sherman Oaks
From the hills south of Ventura to the flats near the 101, a strong El Niño winter tests different things.
Hillside lots south of Ventura
Steep driveways and lots above the boulevard collect runoff. Where the roof water goes matters as much as whether the roof holds.
Mid-century low slopes
Low-pitch roofs from the 1950s and 60s shed water slowly. A two-day atmospheric river gives that water time to find a seam.
Trees and gutters
Mature street trees fill gutters fast in fall. Clear them before the first storm and check that every downspout actually drains.
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 Sherman Oaks roof
Set by the City of Los Angeles. Once a repair grows past the limit, they apply to the whole roof.
Re-roofs are permitted by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. Cool roof products certified by the CRRC when more than half the roof is replaced.
Replace more than that in twelve months and the whole roof must conform. Wood shake and shingle are not permitted.
Brush clearance is required inside the Very High zone.
We get on the roof, photograph what we find and write it up.
Get my free reportThe first thing to check is the hill.
Carriers read the fire zone first and the roof second, from aerial imagery rather than an inspection. A written report with dated photographs is what your agent can send back.
the year of the Bel Air Fire, reported on the Sherman Oaks side of Mulholland Drive. It destroyed 484 homes, and wood shingle roofs were blamed.
Roof questions in Sherman Oaks
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.
Is my house in the Very High Fire Hazard zone?
The hills are, and the boundary is drawn parcel by parcel. The state issued new maps in 2025 that changed some of them, so the report gives you a written answer for your address instead of a guess.
Find out which side of the line you are on.
The report gives you roof age, remaining life and fire zone status in writing. The answer may be a replacement, or a repair and a few more years.
“I hired Joseph to help me with my condo remodeling. I had several bids and he was reasonable and did a great job and was reliable. I highly recommend him”
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Request your report
Fire zone status, remaining roof life, and dated photos you can send your carrier. 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.
Sherman Oaks · Studio City · Encino · Van Nuys
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