Does a second layer of shingles count toward the weight limit?

Yes. Pierce County's exemption looks at total coverings, so every layer left on the roof counts. A tear-off removes that question.

Is concrete tile allowed in Parkland?

It can be, but it is far heavier than asphalt shingles and may exceed the county's exemption. Confirm with Pierce County before choosing a heavy material.

Why does water come over the front of my gutter?

Usually the gutter has lost its pitch, an outlet is clogged or a valley above pours more water than one run can carry.

Who issues building permits in Parkland?

Pierce County. Parkland is unincorporated, so there is no city permit office. We tell you what applies to your roof before work starts.

Can gutter problems damage my siding?

Yes. Overflow soaks the lowest siding courses and the trim around doors and windows every winter, which leads to rot over time.

Parkland reroofs, roof weight limits and gutters that protect the siding

Parkland is unincorporated Pierce County just south of Tacoma. For a reroof here, the county's weight limit on roof coverings is the rule to understand first.

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Pierce County

Stripping two layers of shingles on a Parkland house

Short answer

In Parkland, reroofs come under Pierce County rules because Parkland is unincorporated. The county exempts a home or garage reroof from a building permit only when all roof coverings together weigh 7.5 pounds per square foot or less, so a roof with an extra layer left on, or a heavy material, needs a closer look.

What counts toward the 7.5-pound limit

Pierce County's exemption is written around the total weight of the roof coverings, not just the new shingles. If an earlier roofer laid a second layer over the first, both layers count. A heavier product, such as concrete tile or some designer shingles, uses up much more of that allowance than standard asphalt.

This is one reason we recommend a full tear-off on most Parkland reroofs. Removing every old layer gets the roof back to a single covering, makes the weight easy to calculate and lets us see the decking. We take weights from the manufacturer's product sheets rather than guessing.

If you are considering a heavier material, ask about weight before falling for a sample. We will tell you how the product compares and suggest confirming the permit question with Pierce County before you commit.

Gutters that keep water off Parkland siding

Sea-Tac averages 39.34 inches of rain a year, and November alone brings 6.31 inches. When a gutter cannot handle a long November storm, water spills over the front and runs down the siding, soaking the bottom courses and the trim around doors and windows.

Check three things during the next heavy rain. Watch whether water sheets over the gutter edge at inside corners. Look for drips at seams and end caps. Then follow each downspout to where it empties; if it pools against the foundation, it is feeding moisture to the crawlspace.

The fix is usually simpler than a whole new system. Re-pitching a run, resealing a corner or adding one more outlet solves most overflow. Our drainage page explains extensions and tightlines for carrying water farther from the house.

Rain overflowing a clogged gutter onto siding

Parkland on the county map

Parkland had 38,623 residents in 2020, and as an unincorporated community it has no city permit office. Questions about building permits go to Pierce County. We are a short drive from our Puyallup office and work throughout Parkland.

If you are planning a reroof, late spring through early fall gives the most scheduling room. Work can happen in winter too, but we open only as much roof as we can close before evening.