Roofing in Catasauqua, 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, Catasauqua Borough takes building and zoning permit applications at the Borough Office, 90 Bridge Street. Section 130-17 of the Borough Code (Ord. No. 1167, 2004) says "The Borough of Catasauqua hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and the Borough's Building and Zoning page says "Keycodes Inspection Agency is the appointed Building Code Official (BCO) and Zoning Officer (ZO)" and that the appointed official "reviews Building and Zoning Applications, and issues approved permits." The Borough's residential permit packet carries the Keycodes Inspection Agency "1- or 2-FAMILY DWELLING PERMIT APPLICATION" (a scanned document, transcribed from the rendered page images). Section 130-18 adopts the Uniform Construction Code in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405, "as amended from time to time," "as the municipal building code of the Borough of Catasauqua," and Article V of Chapter 130 adds one exemption of its own, for small accessory carports, garages, greenhouses and sheds; it names no roof work. Section 280-3 of the Zoning Chapter requires a zoning permit for the "Erection, construction, movement, placement, razing, demolition, removal, alteration or expansion of a structure, building or sign" and names no roof work. The Borough pages read for this record name no code edition.

No Catasauqua Borough text read names reroofing as permit work or as exempt. Section 130-18 adopts the Uniform Construction Code in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405, "as amended from time to time," "as the municipal building code of the Borough of Catasauqua," and Article V of Chapter 130 adds one exemption of its own, for small accessory carports, garages, greenhouses and sheds; it names no roof work. Section 280-3 of the Zoning Chapter requires a zoning permit for the "Erection, construction, movement, placement, razing, demolition, removal, alteration or expansion of a structure, building or sign" and names no roof work. The Borough's Building and Zoning and Permit Applications and Forms pages name no roof work, and the residential permit application's Type of Project boxes (New Home, Addition, Deck, Basement Finish, Garage, Patio, Porch, Remodeling, Pool, Other) have no roofing box. The Borough's fee schedule is not published: its General Fees and Charges page says "For current and up-to-date rates, please contact the Catasauqua Borough Office." 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." Catasauqua Borough's only building permit clause read is the Uniform Construction Code's own, adopted by reference, and no Borough text read names reroofing as permit work or as exempt, so this record does not decide whether the Borough requires a permit for an ordinary reroof. Ask the Borough Office at 610-264-0571 before work starts. Section 130-23 sets a fine of "not less than $100 nor more than $1,000" for a violation of the article or the underlying code. The residential permit packet asks for a $100.00 application and plan review fee, "applied to total cost of Permit; non-refundable," and a contractor certificate of insurance "naming Catasauqua Borough as an additional Certificate Holder." The Borough Office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read for this answer: Article V of Chapter 130 of the Borough Code (Uniform Construction Code, Sections 130-17 to 130-23), Chapter 120 (Buildings) and Chapter 125 (Code Enforcement) in full; Sections 280-3 and 280-27 of the Zoning Chapter; Chapter A285 (Fees), which says only that the comprehensive fee schedule "is available in the Borough offices and on the Borough's website"; every page of a search of the whole Borough Code for "roof" and for "reroofing"; the Building and Zoning, General Fees and Charges and Permit Applications and Forms pages; and the residential permit packet.