Roofing in Edinboro, 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, Section 5-101 of the Borough Code (Ord. 576, February 8, 2010) says the Home Rule Borough of Edinboro "will continue to maintain opt-in status for administration and enforcement of residential and commercial building codes referenced in the Uniform Construction Code" and may use a licensed third-party inspection agency. The Borough's Building and Zoning Department, at 124 Meadville Street, takes permit applications, and its Zoning and Code Enforcement page names Building Inspection Underwriters of PA, Inc. as "Appointed as third-party BCO"; the Borough's 2026 fee resolution says permits other than those its staff processes "will be handled and processed by Building Inspection Underwriters, Inc. (BIU) as the appointed third party." Section 5-101(4) amends the code to require "UCC permits and building code compliance for accessory structures in which building area exceeds 192 square feet" and names no roof work. Section 5-101(6) says the Borough "shall administer and enforce the applicable triennial versions of the International Code Council publications referenced by the Act," and neither it nor the Borough's permit pages names an edition.

A reroof in Edinboro Borough needs a separate Borough zoning permit. Section 27-503 of the Borough's Zoning chapter (Ord. 457 of 1994, as amended) says "Permits will be required for:" and lists "Any physical change or alteration which changes the outside appearance or dimensions regardless of cost, i.e., aluminum siding, new roof, etc." It adds that "building permits may also be required in addition to zoning permits." The Borough's "APPLICATION ~Roof Repair / Replacement" is a zoning application with a $50 fee, and it says "If structural members need to be repaired or replaced a building permit may be required in addition to this Zoning Permit," and the Borough's 2026 fee resolution lists "Roof (may require building permit)" at $50.00 under "Zoning Permits" and "Roof (residential)" among permits "processed by Borough staff." The Borough's guide "Permits Required in the Borough of Edinboro" (updated August 2024) lists "Roofing (5)" among "Projects that need Zoning Permits and may also need Building Permits," where note (5) says a building permit is necessary when "Sheathing or trusses or any part thereof being replaced." The roof application asks for the roof's pitch, sheathing, underlayment and rows of ice guard, says "New materials shall be installed in accordance with manufacturers specifications," and requires the contractor to provide its Pennsylvania registration and certificate of insurance. Part 1 of Chapter 5, the Borough's Uniform Construction Code section, names no roof work. This record does not decide whether the Borough's roof permit is a permit under the Uniform Construction Code or a separate Borough zoning permit. 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." Read for this answer: Part 1 of Chapter 5, the Borough's Uniform Construction Code section, in full; Part 5 of Chapter 27, Zoning, administration and permits, in full; every page of a search of the Borough Code for "roof" and for "reroofing"; the Borough's 2026 fee resolution; the roof repair and replacement application; the permit guide; and the Zoning and Code Enforcement page. The fee resolution sets a penalty of 100% of the permit fee for "Working without proper permitting" and a $100.00 fine when a stop work order is issued, and the permit guide says "if work begins before a permit is obtained there may be fines assessed." The department's guide gives a turnaround goal of 10 business days; its phone is 814-734-1812, extension 130 or 139.