Which permit office covers my home?
The two towns sit side by side, but each runs its own building department: the City of Larkspur Building Division and the Town of Corte Madera, which publishes its permit submittal requirements. Parts of nearby Greenbrae and Kentfield are unincorporated and go to the County. A roofer who works here often will know which applies; if they don't ask for your address before quoting, ask why.
How do I check a Larkspur or Corte Madera roofer's license?
Search the business on the CSLB license lookup. For a reroof you want an active license with the C-39 Roofing classification (CSLB: C-39), a bond on file and, if the company has employees, a workers' compensation policy. The name on your estimate should match the CSLB record exactly.
How do roofs differ across the two towns?
- Baltimore Canyon and upper Larkspur: redwood shade, needles and moss, steep drives
- Corte Madera's bayside neighborhoods: flat lots near the marsh, wind and salt air on flashing
- Christmas Tree Hill and the hills above Magnolia Avenue: slope, limited staging and fire-zone checks
On the Energy Commission's ZIP list, Larkspur (94939) is climate zone 2 and Corte Madera (94925) is zone 3 (CEC); neither triggers the cool-roof rule for a home reroof.
Do fire rules affect a new roof here?
They can. Hillside parts of both towns border open space. Check your address on CAL FIRE's hazard map; in a very high zone, replacing more than half the roof requires Class A (Health and Safety Code 13132.7). FIRESafe MARIN has local home-hardening advice, and our ember-resistant vents guide covers the roof details.
Will a Marin roofer give me a price over the phone?
A careful one won't commit to a number without seeing the roof, the attic and the layers. For the factors behind a bid, read Marin roof replacement cost drivers; for your price, request the free estimate on this page.
What do the weather and fire maps say about Larkspur and Corte Madera?
NOAA's Kentfield station averages 44.4 inches of precipitation a year, 61% of it from December through February, and about 27 days a year reach 90 degrees (1991-2020 normals). Larkspur includes Very High ground on CAL FIRE's 2025 recommended map, so a reroof of more than half the roof there must be Class A (HSC 13132.7). Corte Madera shows only Moderate and non-wildland areas on CAL FIRE's 2025 recommended map. Look up your own parcel on CAL FIRE's map.
More roofer guides on this site: San Rafael roofers, Mill Valley roofers, Sausalito roofers, Novato roofers, Tiburon & Belvedere roofers.
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Get a free replacement quoteFrequently asked questions
Who issues reroof permits in Corte Madera?
The Town of Corte Madera's building department. Larkspur has its own Building Division, and some Greenbrae and Kentfield addresses are unincorporated County.
Is a cool roof required in Larkspur or Corte Madera?
No prescriptive requirement. Larkspur is in climate zone 2 and Corte Madera in zone 3, outside the cool-roof zones for home reroofs.
Do Larkspur canyon homes need a different roof?
Not a different product so much as attention to moss, debris and decking under the redwoods, and a Class A rating if the home is in a very high fire zone.
Sources
- CSLB: check a contractor's license
- City of Larkspur Building Division
- Town of Corte Madera: acquire a building permit
- CEC: climate zones by ZIP
- CAL FIRE OSFM: Fire Hazard Severity Zones
- California Health and Safety Code 13132.7
- FIRESafe MARIN
- 1991-2020 normals
Sources reviewed November 12, 2026. Figures are published estimates and official fees, not quotes. Confirm prices, permits and requirements with your contractor and building department. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice.