Permitting Authorities / East Pennsboro Township - Department of Housing & Community Development
Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Township of East Pennsboro, PA?
Adopted code
East Pennsboro Township - Department of Housing & Community Development
Yes, a permit is required to replace a roof in Township of East Pennsboro, PA, issued by East Pennsboro Township - Department of Housing & Community Development. East Pennsboro Township's code requires a permit for residential repairs and alterations other than those the code exempts, and its code office has published nothing on reroofs. Section 5-107 of the Township Code, enacted "Pursuant to Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, 53 P.S. § 7210.503(c)" (Ord. 691-2005, April 20, 2005, read October 7, 2026), says "The exclusion from UCC application to alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, contained in § 104(B)(5) of Act 92 of 2004, 53 P.S. § 7210.104(B)(5), is hereby deleted" and "The exclusions from UCC application to repairs to residential buildings, contained § 104(B)(6) of Act 92 of 2004, 53 P.S. § 7210.104(B)(6), is hereby deleted," each adding "Permit exclusions stated in § R105.2 of the IRC, 2003 edition, shall apply." It names no roof work, and this record has not read the 2003 edition's permit exemption text. The Township's Construction Codes page (read October 7, 2026) says "A Building Permit is required for the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures" and names no roof work either way. The 2025 Fee Schedule (Resolution No. 2025-07), which the Township's fee page lists as current, charges residential building permits "1.2% of the value of improvement" and has no roofing line, and the building permit application's Type of Improvement boxes include Alteration and Repair and none for roofing. The Township has published nothing on reroofs. 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 an East Pennsboro Township ordinance that "Excludes from residential building permit requirements only those repairs and alterations excluded in section R105.2 of the International Residential Code," with an approval letter mailed March 28, 2005, "Enacted 4 / 20 / 05." In practice, expect the Township to treat a reroof as permit work under Section 5-107. Under "Work Without a Permit" the 2025 Fee Schedule adds an administrative fee for residential building permit applications issued after a notice of construction without a permit: $250.00 for a first violation, $1,000.00 for a second and $2,000.00 for a third or later. A residential application carries a non-refundable $100.00 application fee, and "The remaining Permit Fees are due before the issuance of the Building Permit." Read for this answer: Chapter 5, Part 1 of the Township Code, Uniform Construction Code (Sections 5-101 to 5-108), with its amendments, in full; Chapter 11, Housing; Chapter 13, Licenses, Permits and General Business Regulations; a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing," which found no permit provision naming roof work; the Construction Codes and Housing & Community Development pages; the building permit application; and the 2025 Fee Schedule. The Department is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 4:00 pm, at 717-732-0711.
Roof code checklist: Township of East Pennsboro, PA
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 East Pennsboro, Pennsylvania
Address
98 South Enola Drive, Enola, PA 17025
Contact
- url: https://www.eastpennsboro.net/departments/construction_codes.php
- phone: 717-732-0711
Roofing permit required
Required
Contractor registration required
Required
Permit process note
East Pennsboro Township's code requires a permit for residential repairs and alterations other than those the code exempts, and its code office has published nothing on reroofs. Section 5-107 of the Township Code, enacted "Pursuant to Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, 53 P.S. § 7210.503(c)" (Ord. 691-2005, April 20, 2005, read October 7, 2026), says "The exclusion from UCC application to alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, contained in § 104(B)(5) of Act 92 of 2004, 53 P.S. § 7210.104(B)(5), is hereby deleted" and "The exclusions from UCC application to repairs to residential buildings, contained § 104(B)(6) of Act 92 of 2004, 53 P.S. § 7210.104(B)(6), is hereby deleted," each adding "Permit exclusions stated in § R105.2 of the IRC, 2003 edition, shall apply." It names no roof work, and this record has not read the 2003 edition's permit exemption text. The Township's Construction Codes page (read October 7, 2026) says "A Building Permit is required for the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures" and names no roof work either way. The 2025 Fee Schedule (Resolution No. 2025-07), which the Township's fee page lists as current, charges residential building permits "1.2% of the value of improvement" and has no roofing line, and the building permit application's Type of Improvement boxes include Alteration and Repair and none for roofing. The Township has published nothing on reroofs. 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 an East Pennsboro Township ordinance that "Excludes from residential building permit requirements only those repairs and alterations excluded in section R105.2 of the International Residential Code," with an approval letter mailed March 28, 2005, "Enacted 4 / 20 / 05." In practice, expect the Township to treat a reroof as permit work under Section 5-107. Under "Work Without a Permit" the 2025 Fee Schedule adds an administrative fee for residential building permit applications issued after a notice of construction without a permit: $250.00 for a first violation, $1,000.00 for a second and $2,000.00 for a third or later. A residential application carries a non-refundable $100.00 application fee, and "The remaining Permit Fees are due before the issuance of the Building Permit." Read for this answer: Chapter 5, Part 1 of the Township Code, Uniform Construction Code (Sections 5-101 to 5-108), with its amendments, in full; Chapter 11, Housing; Chapter 13, Licenses, Permits and General Business Regulations; a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing," which found no permit provision naming roof work; the Construction Codes and Housing & Community Development pages; the building permit application; and the 2025 Fee Schedule. The Department is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 4:00 pm, at 717-732-0711.
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, East Pennsboro Township administers the code itself: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says the Township "hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and "The Department of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the administration of the PA Uniform Construction Code," at 98 South Enola Drive, Enola. Section 5-102 adopts the Uniform Construction Code, "as amended from time to time," as the municipal building code of East Pennsboro Township. Section 5-108 fills in the design data of Table R301.2(1), including "Ice shield underlayment required = yes," and changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions. Sections 5-107 and 5-108 of the Township Code refer to and amend the 2003 International Residential Code, and the Township's Construction Codes page names no edition; this record has not read the 2003 edition's text and does not decide which edition the Township applies.
Repair permit threshold
East Pennsboro Township requires a permit for residential repairs and alterations other than those the code exempts, and names no roof work either way. Section 5-107 of the Township Code, enacted "Pursuant to Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, 53 P.S. § 7210.503(c)" (Ord. 691-2005, April 20, 2005, read October 7, 2026), says "The exclusion from UCC application to alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, contained in § 104(B)(5) of Act 92 of 2004, 53 P.S. § 7210.104(B)(5), is hereby deleted" and "The exclusions from UCC application to repairs to residential buildings, contained § 104(B)(6) of Act 92 of 2004, 53 P.S. § 7210.104(B)(6), is hereby deleted," each adding "Permit exclusions stated in § R105.2 of the IRC, 2003 edition, shall apply." It names no roof work, and this record has not read the 2003 edition's permit exemption text. The Township's Construction Codes page (read October 7, 2026) says "A Building Permit is required for the construction, alteration, relocation, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures" and names no roof work either way. The 2025 Fee Schedule (Resolution No. 2025-07), which the Township's fee page lists as current, charges residential building permits "1.2% of the value of improvement" and has no roofing line, and the building permit application's Type of Improvement boxes include Alteration and Repair and none for roofing. The Township has published nothing on reroofs. 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 an East Pennsboro Township ordinance that "Excludes from residential building permit requirements only those repairs and alterations excluded in section R105.2 of the International Residential Code," with an approval letter mailed March 28, 2005, "Enacted 4 / 20 / 05." 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, East Pennsboro Township administers the code itself: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says the Township "hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and "The Department of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the administration of the PA Uniform Construction Code," at 98 South Enola Drive, Enola. Its threshold is the one in Section 5-107 quoted at the start; no Township text sets a roof area or cost below which a reroof needs no permit.
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, East Pennsboro Township administers the code itself: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says the Township "hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and "The Department of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the administration of the PA Uniform Construction Code," at 98 South Enola Drive, Enola. Chapter 5 of the Township Code changes nothing in the code's reroofing provisions, and the Township's pages say nothing on roof layers. Sections 5-107 and 5-108 of the Township Code refer to and amend the 2003 International Residential Code, and the Township's Construction Codes page names no edition; the text above is the 2021 edition's, and the 2003 edition's reroofing text was not read for this record, and this record does not decide which edition the Township applies.
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, East Pennsboro Township administers the code itself: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says the Township "hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and "The Department of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the administration of the PA Uniform Construction Code," at 98 South Enola Drive, Enola. 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. Sections 5-107 and 5-108 of the Township Code refer to and amend the 2003 International Residential Code, and the Township's Construction Codes page names no edition; the text above is the 2021 edition's, and the 2003 edition's sheathing text was not read for this record, and this record does not decide which edition the Township applies.
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. East Pennsboro Township is in Cumberland County. The Township's pages and 2025 Fee Schedule say nothing on sales tax.
More roof permit pages in Pennsylvania
Related guides
East Pennsboro Township's Department of Housing & Community Development, at 98 South Enola Drive, Enola, issues building permits, and the Township Code requires them for residential repairs and alterations other than those the code exempts. 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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