Roofing in Castle Shannon, 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, The Borough of Castle Shannon in Allegheny County issues building permits through its Planning & Codes Department at 3310 McRoberts Road; the department's page says it "administers Castle Shannon's building and maintenance codes as well as all zoning matters" and that its Planning & Codes Official "issues building permits," and the Borough's Building/Zoning Permits page says "Some construction requires our third party agency, Building Inspection Underwriters (BIU) to perform the inspections." The Borough's pages name no code edition, and its Uniform Construction Code ordinance is not among the ordinances it publishes; the published pre-1999 ordinances adopt the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code, 1992 Edition, and the BOCA National Building Code, 1993, and this record has not read those codes' text and does not decide which edition the Borough applies.

The Borough of Castle Shannon's FAQ says a Building/Zoning Permit is required for complete roof replacement. The Borough's FAQ page (read October 9, 2026), under "Do I need a permit for a new fence/wall/patio/roof?", says "A Building/Zoning Permit is required for new additions, structural alterations, decks, complete roof replacement, and new construction." The Borough's Building/Zoning Permits page says "A building (zoning) permit is required for most construction performed, both commercial and residential." The Borough's own permit application for this work, posted on its Applications & Permits page as "Application for a Zoning Permit (building)," is headed "APPLICATION FOR ZONING PERMIT," and the same page lists separately "Building Inspection Underwriters Permit Applications." The Borough's published ordinances include Ordinance No. 794 (1996), adopting the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code, 1992 Edition, and Ordinance No. 795, adopting the BOCA National Building Code, Twelfth Edition, 1993; their local amendments name no roof work, and this record has not read either model code's text. The Borough's Uniform Construction Code ordinance is not among the ordinances it publishes, and the 2026 fee schedule (Resolution No. 782) has no roofing line and prices building inspections "Per BIU Fee Schedule (attached)," with no BIU schedule attached to the published copy. 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 Planning & Codes page says "Before starting any construction, contact the Building Office 412-885-9200 ext. 104 or 105." Permit applications are picked up at the Planning & Codes office or downloaded from the Applications & Permits page, "All permit applications must be submitted with plans for the project," and the Borough accepts "cash, check or money order." The Borough office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, at 412-885-9200. Read for this answer: the Planning & Codes, Building/Zoning Permits, Applications & Permits, Ordinances and FAQ pages; the zoning permit application; the 2026 fee schedule, Resolution No. 782, in full; and Ordinances No. 794 and 795 and the index of building, construction and code ordinances in the Borough's published ordinance archive.