Amarillo, TX Hurricane Preparedness: Roof Standards (2026)
Key Facts
- Design wind speed
- 115 mph (Table R301.2(1))
- Hail zone rule
- No asphalt shingle re-cover in mapped hail zones
- Governing section
- Amended IRC § R908.3.1.1, Amarillo § 4-3-31
- Max existing layers
- No re-cover over 2+ existing roof layers
- Seismic category
- Category B
Summary
Amarillo's amended Residential Code bars re-covering a roof over deteriorated decking, more than one existing layer, or asphalt shingles in the city's mapped moderate-to-severe hail exposure zone. Every new roof also has to be engineered to the local design table's 115 mph wind speed under Table R301.2(1).
R908.3.1.1. A roof re-cover shall not be permitted where any of the following conditions occur: 1.Where the existing roof or roof covering is water-soaked or has deteriorated to the point that the existing roof or roof covering is not adequate as a base for additional roofing.2.Where the existing roof covering is wood, slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile.3.Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering.4.For asphalt shingles, when the building is located in an area subject to moderate or severe hail exposure according to Figure R908.3.1.1.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 81).
Full Breakdown
Section 4-3-31 of the Amarillo Municipal Code adopts the International Residential Code with amendments tailored to Panhandle weather. 1's Hail Exposure Map shows the site in a moderate or severe hail zone. In each of those cases the existing roof covering has to be torn off before new roofing goes on. 1 (formerly numbered 1511) under Section 4-3-1, applies the same hail-exposure test to commercial roof re-covers. 2(1) fixes the local design wind speed at 115 mph, with no special wind debris zone or wind-borne debris zone designation, moderate-to-heavy weathering potential, an 18-inch frost line depth, and Seismic Design Category B, all of which roofing and framing materials must be engineered to withstand.
Violations & Fines
A roofing contractor who re-covers rather than tears off a roof that fails any of the four R908.3.1.1 conditions, including an asphalt shingle job inside the mapped hail zone, violates the amended Residential or Building Code and can be denied final inspection or a certificate of occupancy under the permit process in Section 4-3-1. The Building Official enforces the standard through the same permit, inspection, and correction-notice process used for all adopted construction codes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put new shingles over my old roof in Amarillo?
What wind speed must a new roof in Amarillo be designed for?
Does the hail exposure rule apply to commercial buildings too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Amarillo
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Amarillo to another location·View the Texas hurricane preparedness overview
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