Roofing in Falls Township, 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, Falls Township administers the code itself: Section 109-1 of the Township Code says "The Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," its Building & Plumbing Codes page says "Falls Township is an opt-in community for enforcement of State Act # 45, The Uniform Construction Code," and its Office of Code Enforcement, under the Township's Chief Code Enforcement Officer, issues the permits. Its Building & Plumbing Codes page lists the "2021 ICC Residential Code" and the "2021 ICC Existing Building Code" among the codes the Township has adopted. Section 109-5L of the Township Code (added October 19, 2004, by Ord. No. 2004-15) says "All alterations, repairs and additions to any building or structure shall be required to be constructed, equipped or maintained to conform to the requirements of the Township Construction Code pursuant to the Township ordinance." The clause names no permit, and this record does not read it as carrying the code's permit section to a house reroof. Chapter 109 of the Township Code, Construction Codes, Uniform (Sections 109-1 to 109-10, Ord. No. 2004-10 as amended), and Chapter 138, Housing and Building Standards, both read in full, change nothing in the code's roofing provisions; Section 109-8 deletes some of the State's permit exemptions by their earlier numbering, and none of its text names roof work.

Section 109-5L of the Township Code (added October 19, 2004, by Ord. No. 2004-15) says "All alterations, repairs and additions to any building or structure shall be required to be constructed, equipped or maintained to conform to the requirements of the Township Construction Code pursuant to the Township ordinance." The clause names no permit, and this record does not read it as carrying the code's permit section to a house reroof. Read October 6, 2026, the Office of Code Enforcement's pages name no roof work either way. Its Code Enforcement & Zoning page and its BS&A online permit instructions say "RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE FOLLOWING:" and list first floor additions, patios with footings, pools, a fence with a pool, enclosing carports, covered patios, aprons and curbs, and public sidewalks; that list does not mention roofing, and neither the pages nor the 2026 fee schedule says that a reroof needs no permit. The fee schedule has no roofing line; it charges residential permits by estimated cost, "$100.00 for the first $1,000.00 of the estimated cost of the work." 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)). The Department of Labor and Industry's register of municipal code change ordinances lists a Falls Township ordinance that "Requires a building permit for alterations and repairs in all buildings," with an approval letter mailed September 22, 2004, and enactment on October 19, 2004. This record does not answer whether a reroof needs a permit in Falls Township; ask the Office of Code Enforcement (215-949-9000) before starting. The fee schedule says "PERMIT FEES ARE DOUBLED IF RESPONSIBLE PARTY FAILS TO OBTAIN REQUIRED PERMITS PRIOR TO COMMENCING CONSTRUCTION," and Section 109-10 sets a penalty "of not more than $1,000, plus all court costs" on conviction, each day a separate offense. Permits are filed online only: the instructions say "Please note all permits are submitted online only" and "A FULL DETAILED SCOPE OF WORK IS REQUIRED IN THE DESCRIPTION BOX," and a homeowner filing is asked to include "the contractor's name and license #." Section 145-12 of the Township Code requires contractors who must register with the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection to file proof of it with the Township.