Why Beverly Hills Requires Class A, Non-Wood Roofs
Beverly Hills requires every new roof to carry a Class A fire rating and to be made of something other than wood. This guide explains what that means, which materials pass, and how the fire map and Climate Zone 9 shape the pick. Questions? Call (424) 437-6988.
The rule shows up twice in city paperwork: on the Building & Safety roofing page, and as a printed note on the Roofing Permit Application.
What exactly does the Beverly Hills roof rule say?
On its roofing page, the city says it requires roofs that are both Class A fire-rated and non-wood. The same sentence adds that the city is encouraging eco-friendly options for better air quality and insulation.
The Roofing Permit Application repeats the point in its notes, stating that the roof covering must be Class A. The form also has a line for the Class A approval report number, so the rating has to be documented, not just claimed.
Beverly Hills Class A Roof Rule
Attention to Details
Commitment to Quality
Core Values
What does a Class A fire rating mean?
Roof coverings are sorted into fire classes A, B and C through standard fire tests. Class A is the top class, meant for severe fire exposure.
Some products earn Class A on their own. Others reach it only as part of an assembly, with a specific underlayment or base sheet below them. The product’s evaluation report or listing tells you which case applies, and the installer has to follow that assembly exactly, or the rating on paper no longer matches the roof.
Which roofing materials qualify in Beverly Hills?
- Clay tile in barrel and flat shapes.
- Concrete tile, in flat and curved profiles.
- Asphalt shingles rated Class A.
- Metal roofing with a Class A listing.
- Membrane systems for flat sections, rated Class A as an assembly.
Whatever the material, it must be installed in accordance with its ICC-ES report. That report comes from the International Code Council Evaluation Service and confirms how the product meets the code.
Can a wood shake roof be replaced with new shake?
Not under the permit rule. Non-wood means non-wood, so a fire-treated shake is still wood and does not fit the city’s requirement.
Owners who like the shake look have options that are not wood, such as concrete tile in a flat, textured profile, or Class A shingles made to imitate shakes. Expect a different weight from the old roof; the permit form asks for the material weight, and a heavier product deserves a look at the framing.
Where is the fire hazard map, and why should you check it?
The city posts a fire hazard severity zone map, prepared by the State Fire Marshal, for Beverly Hills. It marks zones rated very high, high and moderate within the city.
Look up your address before finalizing the roof details. On a house in a higher zone, small details deserve extra care: closed ridge and eave ends, ember-resistant vents and gutters kept clear of leaves, since the edges and openings are where embers tend to lodge.
How do Climate Zone 9 and the cool roof label fit in?
The whole city falls in California Climate Zone 9, and every roofing permit there must include a Cool Roof Rating Label. The label reports how much sunlight a product reflects and how well it gives off heat.
So the choice has two tests. The product must be Class A and non-wood, and its label must suit the state energy code, which asks for cool roof values once a reroof covers more than half the roof in this zone, unless an exception applies. Lighter colors tend to pass both more easily.
What should a Class A roof quote show?
- The manufacturer and the exact product name.
- The Class A approval report number.
- The assembly: underlayment or base sheets the rating depends on.
- The Cool Roof Rating Label values for the chosen color.
- The material weight per square foot.
These are the same items the city’s application asks for, so a quote that lists them is ready for the permit.
Who can help you choose a Class A roof in Beverly Hills?
Phone (424) 437-6988. We bring samples, labels and report numbers to the visit so you can compare options side by side.
For the project itself, see roof replacement in Beverly Hills, or our roofing contractor page for Beverly Hills.