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Permitting Authorities / Charlestown Township - Building, Permitting and Licensing

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Charlestown, PA?

Adopted code

Charlestown Township - Building, Permitting and Licensing

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Charlestown, PA, issued by Charlestown Township - Building, Permitting and Licensing. Charlestown Township's code exempts from permit only re-roofing of less than 25% of the roof, and its fee schedule lists a residential roofing permit. Section 5-107 of the Township Code (added by Ord. 175-2011) says "In addition to the alterations or repairs to residential buildings which are exempt from the Uniform Construction Code, the following types of alterations and repairs shall also be exempt and no permit will be required," and lists "Re-roofing of less than 25% of total area." The Township's Guide to Permits (revised June 4, 2026) lists among "Construction Exempt from Permits" both "Repair and replacement projects which do not involve structural changes or changes to the plumbing, electric, or HVAC systems" and "Re-roofing if less than 25% of the roof is being replaced," and the Township's 2026 permit fee schedule (Resolution 1092-2026) lists "Residential Roofing – 2 inspections $175.00." A full reroof replaces more than 25% of the roof. Under state law, Act 45 says the Act "shall not apply to" "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" or to "Repairs to residential buildings, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" (section 104(b)(5) and (6)), and of a municipal ordinance that adds to the code, section 503(c) says "An ordinance under this subsection shall not be effective nor enforceable unless subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) have been satisfied." This record does not decide whether the municipality's requirement is one adopted under section 503 or kept in effect by section 303(b)(1). The Department of Labor and Industry's register of municipal code change ordinances lists a Charlestown Township filing that would exempt "Re-roofing of less than 25 percent of total area," with the note "Changes found to be in compliance with 35 P.S. § 7210.503 (b); approval letter mailed 08 / 26 / 2011" and a public meeting on November 7, 2011. In practice, expect the Township to require a building permit for a reroof of 25% or more of the roof. Its 2026 fee schedule says "THE FEE FOR STARTING UCC WORK PRIOR TO OBTAINING ALL REQUIRED PERMITS IS $500.00 OR DOUBLE THE APPLICABLE PERMIT FEES, WHICHEVER IS GREATER." The Guide to Permits says "Residential contractors and subcontractors (except new home builders) must provide a PA Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number or complete Township registration form with fee," and that the Building Code Official "will either issue or deny the permit within 15 working days for residential." The Township office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Read for this answer: Chapter 5, Part 1 of the Township Code (Uniform Construction Code, Sections 5-101 to 5-107) in full; every page of a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing"; the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page; its Guide to Permits; its Building Permit Application; and its 2026 permit fee schedule.

Roof code checklist: Township of Charlestown, PA

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofYesecode360.com2026-10-09
Repair permit thresholdPublishedpacodeandbulletin.gov2026-10-09
Layer limit / roof-overPublishedR908.3.1.1pacodeandbulletin.gov2026-10-09
Deck & sheathingPublishedR905.2.1pacodeandbulletin.gov2026-10-09
Drip edgeNot published
Ice & water shieldNot published
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNopacodeandbulletin.gov2026-10-09
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 5-101pacodeandbulletin.gov2026-10-09
Contractor license / registrationYespalegis.us2026-10-09
Sales & use taxPublishedpa.gov2026-10-09

Each row comes from the sourced record on this page; full wording is in the table below. "Not published" means no official source for that item was found when the record was last verified.

Jurisdiction
Township of Charlestown, Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction type
city
Address
11 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 1, Malvern, PA 19355
Contact
  • url: https://www.charlestowntwp.org/216
  • phone: 610-240-0326
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Permit process note
Charlestown Township's code exempts from permit only re-roofing of less than 25% of the roof, and its fee schedule lists a residential roofing permit. Section 5-107 of the Township Code (added by Ord. 175-2011) says "In addition to the alterations or repairs to residential buildings which are exempt from the Uniform Construction Code, the following types of alterations and repairs shall also be exempt and no permit will be required," and lists "Re-roofing of less than 25% of total area." The Township's Guide to Permits (revised June 4, 2026) lists among "Construction Exempt from Permits" both "Repair and replacement projects which do not involve structural changes or changes to the plumbing, electric, or HVAC systems" and "Re-roofing if less than 25% of the roof is being replaced," and the Township's 2026 permit fee schedule (Resolution 1092-2026) lists "Residential Roofing – 2 inspections $175.00." A full reroof replaces more than 25% of the roof. Under state law, Act 45 says the Act "shall not apply to" "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" or to "Repairs to residential buildings, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" (section 104(b)(5) and (6)), and of a municipal ordinance that adds to the code, section 503(c) says "An ordinance under this subsection shall not be effective nor enforceable unless subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) have been satisfied." This record does not decide whether the municipality's requirement is one adopted under section 503 or kept in effect by section 303(b)(1). The Department of Labor and Industry's register of municipal code change ordinances lists a Charlestown Township filing that would exempt "Re-roofing of less than 25 percent of total area," with the note "Changes found to be in compliance with 35 P.S. § 7210.503 (b); approval letter mailed 08 / 26 / 2011" and a public meeting on November 7, 2011. In practice, expect the Township to require a building permit for a reroof of 25% or more of the roof. Its 2026 fee schedule says "THE FEE FOR STARTING UCC WORK PRIOR TO OBTAINING ALL REQUIRED PERMITS IS $500.00 OR DOUBLE THE APPLICABLE PERMIT FEES, WHICHEVER IS GREATER." The Guide to Permits says "Residential contractors and subcontractors (except new home builders) must provide a PA Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number or complete Township registration form with fee," and that the Building Code Official "will either issue or deny the permit within 15 working days for residential." The Township office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Read for this answer: Chapter 5, Part 1 of the Township Code (Uniform Construction Code, Sections 5-101 to 5-107) in full; every page of a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing"; the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page; its Guide to Permits; its Building Permit Application; and its 2026 permit fee schedule.
Adopted code
The 2021 International Residential Code, as adopted by the State in the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC). 34 Pa. Code 403.21(a)(7) adopts "The 'International Residential Code of 2021,' except that:" followed by the State's list of exclusions and modifications, effective January 1, 2026 (55 Pa.B. 7701). None of the State's changes touches Chapter 9, Roof Assemblies, or Section R803, Roof Sheathing, so those apply as the International Code Council publishes them. Work on existing buildings is also pointed to the State's existing-building code: "The repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings must comply with Chapter 34 of the 'International Building Code of 2021' or with the 'International Existing Building Code of 2021'" (34 Pa. Code 403.21(f)). The UCC is the minimum everywhere in the state: "no municipality may propose or enact any ordinance which is less than the minimum requirement of the Uniform Construction Code" (Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, section 503(b)). The Act also lists work it "shall not apply to", including "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress" or to "Repairs to residential buildings," in each case "except as might be required by ordinances" kept in force under section 303(b)(1) or adopted under section 503 (Act 45 section 104(b)(5) and (6); 34 Pa. Code 403.1(b)(8) and (9)). The Act defines a repair as "The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance." So whether the code's roofing rules reach a given house reroof depends on the municipality's own ordinances. Everything above is Pennsylvania state law, the same in every municipality. Locally, Charlestown Township, in Chester County, issues building permits from the Township office at 11 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 1, Malvern, 610-240-0326: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says "Charlestown Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," the Township's Guide to Permits says "the Zoning Officer/Building Code Official will either issue or deny the permits," and the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page lists "Inspections Other Than Electrical - Keystone Municipal Services," requested through the Township office. Section 5-102 adopts the Uniform Construction Code, "as amended from time to time," "as the Building Code of Charlestown Township," and Section 5-107 changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions. The Guide to Permits says the code uses the "International Residential Code 2021" for residential construction.
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — No impact-resistance requirement under state law. The State's adoption of the 2021 International Residential Code (34 Pa. Code 403.21) contains no hail or impact rule, and it makes no change to the code's roof assemblies chapter, which itself has no UL 2218, Class 4 or hail-impact requirement for roof coverings. A municipality could add one only by an ordinance that equals or exceeds the Uniform Construction Code under Act 45 section 503, filed with the Department of Labor and Industry; none of the filings on the Department's register of municipal code change ordinances mentions hail or impact resistance. An owner may still choose an impact-rated roof covering. Everything above is Pennsylvania state law, the same in every municipality. Locally, Charlestown Township, in Chester County, issues building permits from the Township office at 11 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 1, Malvern, 610-240-0326: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says "Charlestown Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," the Township's Guide to Permits says "the Zoning Officer/Building Code Official will either issue or deny the permits," and the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page lists "Inspections Other Than Electrical - Keystone Municipal Services," requested through the Township office. Chapter 5 of the Township Code changes nothing in the code's roof-covering provisions, and the Township pages read for this record name no UL 2218, Class 4 or hail-impact requirement for roof coverings.
Repair permit threshold
Charlestown Township's code exempts from permit only re-roofing of less than 25% of the roof, and its fee schedule lists a residential roofing permit. Section 5-107 of the Township Code (added by Ord. 175-2011) says "In addition to the alterations or repairs to residential buildings which are exempt from the Uniform Construction Code, the following types of alterations and repairs shall also be exempt and no permit will be required," and lists "Re-roofing of less than 25% of total area." The Township's Guide to Permits (revised June 4, 2026) lists among "Construction Exempt from Permits" both "Repair and replacement projects which do not involve structural changes or changes to the plumbing, electric, or HVAC systems" and "Re-roofing if less than 25% of the roof is being replaced," and the Township's 2026 permit fee schedule (Resolution 1092-2026) lists "Residential Roofing – 2 inspections $175.00." A full reroof replaces more than 25% of the roof. Under state law, Act 45 says the Act "shall not apply to" "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" or to "Repairs to residential buildings, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" (section 104(b)(5) and (6)), and of a municipal ordinance that adds to the code, section 503(c) says "An ordinance under this subsection shall not be effective nor enforceable unless subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) have been satisfied." This record does not decide whether the municipality's requirement is one adopted under section 503 or kept in effect by section 303(b)(1). The Department of Labor and Industry's register of municipal code change ordinances lists a Charlestown Township filing that would exempt "Re-roofing of less than 25 percent of total area," with the note "Changes found to be in compliance with 35 P.S. § 7210.503 (b); approval letter mailed 08 / 26 / 2011" and a public meeting on November 7, 2011. In practice, expect the Township to require a building permit for a reroof of 25% or more of the roof. Its 2026 fee schedule says "THE FEE FOR STARTING UCC WORK PRIOR TO OBTAINING ALL REQUIRED PERMITS IS $500.00 OR DOUBLE THE APPLICABLE PERMIT FEES, WHICHEVER IS GREATER." State law sets no square-footage or percentage threshold for roof work; any threshold is set locally. The Uniform Construction Code "does not apply to" "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, except as required by ordinances in effect under sections 303(b)(1) or 503 of the act" or to "Repairs to residential buildings, except as required by ordinances in effect under sections 303(b)(1) and 503 of the act" (34 Pa. Code 403.1(b)(8) and (9)), and "A permit is not required for the exceptions listed in § 403.1(b) (relating to scope) and the following, if the work does not violate a law or ordinance" (34 Pa. Code 403.62(c)). For houses the regulation adds: "An ordinary repair does not require a permit." Its list of work that is not an ordinary repair names cutting away a load-bearing wall, "The removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support," changes to a required means of egress, and new or relocated piping, wiring or mechanical work (34 Pa. Code 403.62(d)); roofing is not named. A municipality may require more: under Act 45 section 503(c) it "may enact ordinances pursuant to this section which adopt additional code requirements for alterations or repairs to residential buildings," after a public hearing and after filing the proposed ordinance with the Department of Labor and Industry. These rules concern a "Residential building," which the regulation defines as "Detached one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses which are not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures" (34 Pa. Code 401.1). Everything above is Pennsylvania state law, the same in every municipality. Locally, Charlestown Township, in Chester County, issues building permits from the Township office at 11 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 1, Malvern, 610-240-0326: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says "Charlestown Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," the Township's Guide to Permits says "the Zoning Officer/Building Code Official will either issue or deny the permits," and the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page lists "Inspections Other Than Electrical - Keystone Municipal Services," requested through the Township office. The threshold the Township's code states for roof work is "less than 25% of total area"; re-roofing at or above it is not in the exemption.
Roof layer limit / recover
Two layers at most where the state code reaches the job. Pennsylvania adopts the 2021 International Residential Code without changing its reroofing section, R908 (34 Pa. Code 403.21(a)(7); the State's list of changes names no Chapter 9 section). Section R908.3.1.1 says "A roof recover shall not be permitted where any of the following conditions occur," and the third condition is "Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." So one existing layer may be covered once, and a roof that already has two layers is torn off to the deck. The same section also bars a recover "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" and "Where the existing roof covering is slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile." The existing-building code the State also adopts, the 2021 International Existing Building Code (34 Pa. Code 403.21(f)), carries the same three conditions in Section 705.2.1.1. These rules bind work the Uniform Construction Code reaches. The Act does not apply to "Repairs to residential buildings" or to alterations that make no structural change, "except as might be required by ordinances" (Act 45 section 104(b)(5) and (6)), so whether R908 binds a particular house reroof turns on that exclusion and on the municipality's own ordinances. Everything above is Pennsylvania state law, the same in every municipality. Locally, Charlestown Township, in Chester County, issues building permits from the Township office at 11 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 1, Malvern, 610-240-0326: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says "Charlestown Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," the Township's Guide to Permits says "the Zoning Officer/Building Code Official will either issue or deny the permits," and the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page lists "Inspections Other Than Electrical - Keystone Municipal Services," requested through the Township office. Chapter 5 of the Township Code changes nothing in the code's reroofing provisions, and the Township's pages say nothing on roof layers.
Deck & sheathing requirements
State rules from the base code, where the state code reaches the job. Pennsylvania adopts the 2021 International Residential Code without changing Section R803, Roof Sheathing (34 Pa. Code 403.21(a)(7); the State's changes to Chapter 8 are to ridge framing and attic ventilation). Lumber roof sheathing follows Table R803.1: over rafters or beams 24 inches apart it must be at least 5/8 inch net thick. Wood structural panels "shall be identified for grade, bond classification and performance category by a grade mark or certificate of inspection issued by an approved agency," and their spans "shall not exceed the values set forth in Table R503.2.1.1(1) or APA E30." For shingles, "Asphalt shingles shall be fastened to solidly sheathed decks" (R905.2.1), and on any reroof "The structural roof components shall be capable of supporting the roof covering system and the material and equipment loads that will be encountered during installation of the roof covering system" (R908.2). These rules bind work the Uniform Construction Code reaches; the Act does not apply to "Repairs to residential buildings" or to alterations that make no structural change, "except as might be required by ordinances" (Act 45 section 104(b)(5) and (6)). Act 45 section 104(b)(5) excludes alterations "which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress" and says only that "a structural change does not include a minor framing change needed to replace existing windows or doors"; 34 Pa. Code 403.62(d)(2) lists "The removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support" as not an ordinary repair. Neither names roof sheathing; this record does not decide whether replacing it is either. Everything above is Pennsylvania state law, the same in every municipality. Locally, Charlestown Township, in Chester County, issues building permits from the Township office at 11 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 1, Malvern, 610-240-0326: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says "Charlestown Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," the Township's Guide to Permits says "the Zoning Officer/Building Code Official will either issue or deny the permits," and the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page lists "Inspections Other Than Electrical - Keystone Municipal Services," requested through the Township office. Chapter 5 of the Township Code changes nothing in the code's roof sheathing provisions, and the Township's pages draw no separate line for roof sheathing; Section 5-107 exempts "The repair or replacement of any nonstructural member."
Sales & use tax
6% Pennsylvania sales and use tax, with a local tax added on purchases made in Allegheny County (1%) and Philadelphia (2%). On a reroof the roofer pays the tax on the materials and does not add it to the homeowner's bill. The Department of Revenue says: "The Pennsylvania sales tax rate is 6 percent. By law, a 1 percent local tax is added to purchases made in Allegheny County, and 2 percent local tax is added to purchases made in Philadelphia." Roof work is a construction activity: the rule's list of items "presumed to become a permanent part of real estate" includes "Roofing (repairs)" (61 Pa. Code 31.11). For construction activities, "A contractor shall pay tax upon the purchase price ... of all property, including materials, equipment, components and supplies, which he furnishes and installs" (61 Pa. Code 31.12(a)(1)), and the rule's example says the contractor "does not charge sales tax on this transaction to his customer. The contractor may include the tax he must pay in his bid proposal but not as a separately stated item." Apart from limited exceptions set out in the rule, the same holds on jobs for tax-exempt owners: "a contractor erecting a building, repairing a roof, replacing a door for a governmental agency, ... school district, charitable or religious organization, and the like, shall pay tax upon the property which he consumes" (61 Pa. Code 31.13(a)). Everything above is Pennsylvania state law, the same in every municipality. Charlestown Township is in Chester County. The Township's pages say nothing on sales tax.

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Charlestown Township, in Chester County, issues building permits from the Township office at 11 General Warren Boulevard, Malvern, and its code exempts from permit only re-roofing of less than 25% of the roof. The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code applies statewide, but Act 45 section 104(b) lists "Repairs to residential buildings" and alterations that make no structural or egress change among work it does not apply to, "except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503."

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Roofing questions: Township of Charlestown, PA

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of Charlestown, PA?

Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of Charlestown, PA. Charlestown Township's code exempts from permit only re-roofing of less than 25% of the roof, and its fee schedule lists a residential roofing permit. Section 5-107 of the Township Code (added by Ord. 175-2011) says "In addition to the alterations or repairs to residential buildings which are exempt from the Uniform Construction Code, the following types of alterations and repairs shall also be exempt and no permit will be required," and lists "Re-roofing of less than 25% of total area." The Township's Guide to Permits (revised June 4, 2026) lists among "Construction Exempt from Permits" both "Repair and replacement projects which do not involve structural changes or changes to the plumbing, electric, or HVAC systems" and "Re-roofing if less than 25% of the roof is being replaced," and the Township's 2026 permit fee schedule (Resolution 1092-2026) lists "Residential Roofing – 2 inspections $175.00." A full reroof replaces more than 25% of the roof. Under state law, Act 45 says the Act "shall not apply to" "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" or to "Repairs to residential buildings, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" (section 104(b)(5) and (6)), and of a municipal ordinance that adds to the code, section 503(c) says "An ordinance under this subsection shall not be effective nor enforceable unless subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) have been satisfied." This record does not decide whether the municipality's requirement is one adopted under section 503 or kept in effect by section 303(b)(1). The Department of Labor and Industry's register of municipal code change ordinances lists a Charlestown Township filing that would exempt "Re-roofing of less than 25 percent of total area," with the note "Changes found to be in compliance with 35 P.S. § 7210.503 (b); approval letter mailed 08 / 26 / 2011" and a public meeting on November 7, 2011. In practice, expect the Township to require a building permit for a reroof of 25% or more of the roof. Its 2026 fee schedule says "THE FEE FOR STARTING UCC WORK PRIOR TO OBTAINING ALL REQUIRED PERMITS IS $500.00 OR DOUBLE THE APPLICABLE PERMIT FEES, WHICHEVER IS GREATER." State law sets no square-footage or percentage threshold for roof work; any threshold is set locally. The Uniform Construction Code "does not apply to" "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, except as required by ordinances in effect under sections 303(b)(1) or 503 of the act" or to "Repairs to residential buildings, except as required by ordinances in effect under sections 303(b)(1) and 503 of the act" (34 Pa. Code 403.1(b)(8) and (9)), and "A permit is not required for the exceptions listed in § 403.1(b) (relating to scope) and the following, if the work does not violate a law or ordinance" (34 Pa. Code 403.62(c)). For houses the regulation adds: "An ordinary repair does not require a permit." Its list of work that is not an ordinary repair names cutting away a load-bearing wall, "The removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support," changes to a required means of egress, and new or relocated piping, wiring or mechanical work (34 Pa. Code 403.62(d)); roofing is not named. A municipality may require more: under Act 45 section 503(c) it "may enact ordinances pursuant to this section which adopt additional code requirements for alterations or repairs to residential buildings," after a public hearing and after filing the proposed ordinance with the Department of Labor and Industry. These rules concern a "Residential building," which the regulation defines as "Detached one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses which are not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures" (34 Pa. Code 401.1). Everything above is Pennsylvania state law, the same in every municipality. Locally, Charlestown Township, in Chester County, issues building permits from the Township office at 11 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 1, Malvern, 610-240-0326: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says "Charlestown Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," the Township's Guide to Permits says "the Zoning Officer/Building Code Official will either issue or deny the permits," and the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page lists "Inspections Other Than Electrical - Keystone Municipal Services," requested through the Township office. The threshold the Township's code states for roof work is "less than 25% of total area"; re-roofing at or above it is not in the exemption.

Can you roof over an existing roof in Township of Charlestown, PA?

Two layers at most where the state code reaches the job. Pennsylvania adopts the 2021 International Residential Code without changing its reroofing section, R908 (34 Pa. Code 403.21(a)(7); the State's list of changes names no Chapter 9 section). Section R908.3.1.1 says "A roof recover shall not be permitted where any of the following conditions occur," and the third condition is "Where the existing roof has two or more applications of any type of roof covering." So one existing layer may be covered once, and a roof that already has two layers is torn off to the deck. The same section also bars a recover "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" and "Where the existing roof covering is slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile." The existing-building code the State also adopts, the 2021 International Existing Building Code (34 Pa. Code 403.21(f)), carries the same three conditions in Section 705.2.1.1. These rules bind work the Uniform Construction Code reaches. The Act does not apply to "Repairs to residential buildings" or to alterations that make no structural change, "except as might be required by ordinances" (Act 45 section 104(b)(5) and (6)), so whether R908 binds a particular house reroof turns on that exclusion and on the municipality's own ordinances. Everything above is Pennsylvania state law, the same in every municipality. Locally, Charlestown Township, in Chester County, issues building permits from the Township office at 11 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 1, Malvern, 610-240-0326: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says "Charlestown Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," the Township's Guide to Permits says "the Zoning Officer/Building Code Official will either issue or deny the permits," and the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page lists "Inspections Other Than Electrical - Keystone Municipal Services," requested through the Township office. Chapter 5 of the Township Code changes nothing in the code's reroofing provisions, and the Township's pages say nothing on roof layers.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Township of Charlestown, PA?

Yes.

What building code does Township of Charlestown, PA use?

The 2021 International Residential Code, as adopted by the State in the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC). 34 Pa. Code 403.21(a)(7) adopts "The 'International Residential Code of 2021,' except that:" followed by the State's list of exclusions and modifications, effective January 1, 2026 (55 Pa.B. 7701). None of the State's changes touches Chapter 9, Roof Assemblies, or Section R803, Roof Sheathing, so those apply as the International Code Council publishes them. Work on existing buildings is also pointed to the State's existing-building code: "The repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition and relocation of existing buildings must comply with Chapter 34 of the 'International Building Code of 2021' or with the 'International Existing Building Code of 2021'" (34 Pa. Code 403.21(f)). The UCC is the minimum everywhere in the state: "no municipality may propose or enact any ordinance which is less than the minimum requirement of the Uniform Construction Code" (Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, section 503(b)). The Act also lists work it "shall not apply to", including "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress" or to "Repairs to residential buildings," in each case "except as might be required by ordinances" kept in force under section 303(b)(1) or adopted under section 503 (Act 45 section 104(b)(5) and (6); 34 Pa. Code 403.1(b)(8) and (9)). The Act defines a repair as "The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance." So whether the code's roofing rules reach a given house reroof depends on the municipality's own ordinances. Everything above is Pennsylvania state law, the same in every municipality. Locally, Charlestown Township, in Chester County, issues building permits from the Township office at 11 General Warren Boulevard, Suite 1, Malvern, 610-240-0326: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says "Charlestown Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," the Township's Guide to Permits says "the Zoning Officer/Building Code Official will either issue or deny the permits," and the Township's Building, Permitting and Licensing page lists "Inspections Other Than Electrical - Keystone Municipal Services," requested through the Township office. Section 5-102 adopts the Uniform Construction Code, "as amended from time to time," "as the Building Code of Charlestown Township," and Section 5-107 changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions. The Guide to Permits says the code uses the "International Residential Code 2021" for residential construction.