Roofing in Blair Township (Blair County), Pennsylvania

Required

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, Blair Township in Blair County administers the Uniform Construction Code under Chapter 195 of its Code (Ordinance No. 2004-04), and its Building Permits page says "Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance, Inc. is the Township's third party UCC Inspection Agency." Permit applications are available at the Blair Township Municipal Building, 375 Cedarcrest Drive, Duncansville. Chapter 195 changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions and names no code edition.

Blair Township's Building Permits page lists "Roofing with Any Structural Changes" among work that needs a building permit. The Township's Building Permits page says "Building Permits are required for:" and lists "Additions to Exterior/Alterations of Existing Houses" and "Roofing with Any Structural Changes (along with other structures/needs for permits not mentioned)." It adds that "If you are in doubt about needing a permit" the reader should call the Township's Building Code Enforcement Officer before starting the project. The page does not say in terms whether a reroof with no structural change needs a permit, and no Township fee schedule is published. Chapter 195 elects to administer the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act and adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time" as the municipal building code; it adds no permit requirement or exemption of its own, names no roof work, and leaves fees to resolution. Section 195-5A keeps in force building code ordinances adopted on or before July 1, 1999 that equal or exceed the code, and a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing" found no permit provision naming roof work. Under state law, Act 45 section 104(b)(5) and (6) list "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress" and "Repairs to residential buildings" among work the Act 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," and 34 Pa. Code 403.62(c) says "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." The page asks that applications be made "at least ten working days prior to the beginning of ANY construction" and that every building permit application include a Land Use Permit Application Checklist. Blair Township's office, open 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday except holidays, is at 814-696-4363. Read for this record: Chapter 195 of the Township Code, Construction Codes, Uniform, in full; every page of a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing"; the Township's Building Permits and Code Enforcement page; the Township's 2026 Land Use Permit Application Checklist; and the agency's permit applications page.