central Florida roof replacement, to permit or not

[Mike Nelson]

I will be needing to replace a roof on a rental I have in Lakeland FL polk county.  From everything I have researched a permit is required to tear off and recover the roof.  However, I have noticed a fellow investor in the area who flips houses and holds rentals NEVER pulls a permit for his homes (I check the county and city permit records)  I can see it on the rentals to find a budget contractor and save some cash,  BUT on FLIPS??!  How is he getting away with this?  Every inpsector has to note that the roof is brand new and no permit was pulled......  is he just gambling?  Is it even worth not spending the extra few hundred just to be on the safe side?  I would like the Central Florida guys to weigh in if possible.  Thanks so much!