Roofing in Franklin, 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 City of Franklin administers the code itself: Section 1701.02 of the Codified Ordinances says that, as set forth in Ordinance No. 3 of 2004, the City "hereby accepts and elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," Section 1701.03 makes the Building Code Official "The Code Enforcement Officer of the City of Franklin or his authorized designee," and the City's Building Codes & Permits page says the Code Enforcement Office "is responsible for the review, permit issuance and inspection of residential and commercial building construction within the City of Franklin." Section 1701.02 adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as the Franklin Building Code as if fully set forth at length herein, to include any and all amendments thereof as adopted from time to time," and the published article changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions. The City's Building Codes & Permits page says "Residential Construction is regulated by the 2018 International Residential Code"; this record has not read the 2018 edition's text and does not decide which edition the City applies.

No City of Franklin text read names reroofing as permit work or as exempt. The City's Frequently Asked Questions page (read October 9, 2026) answers "Do I Need A Building Permit?" with "If your project is in the City of Franklin you will need a permit to locate, erect, demolish, construct, move, alter externally, convert or enlarge any structure or land," says a certified UCC inspector must inspect a residential project when the project is to "Construct, enlarge. alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of any residential building," and gives a list of residential projects that "DO NOT require UCC Certified Inspection" that does not mention roofing. It adds "It is always best to check with code enforcement before you start any project." The 2026 Building Permit Fee Schedule has no roofing line. Article 1701 of the Codified Ordinances, the Franklin Building Code, adopts the Uniform Construction Code "to include any and all amendments thereof as adopted from time to time" and, in the published copy, adds no permit clause and no roof words of its own; that copy's table of contents lists a Section 1701.05, on amendments to the Uniform Construction Code, but the copy prints no text for it. Separately, Section 1309.03 of the Zoning Ordinance says Building/Zoning Permits "will be required for" "The erection, adaptation, alteration, or remodeling of any building or structure or portion thereof; when the cost of construction exceeds Seven Hundred Fifty ($750.00) Dollars," and the City's Code Enforcement Fee Schedule lists a "Municipal Zoning Permit When UCC inspection is NOT required; over $750 estimated cost of construction or improvement: $50." Neither names 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." Because the City's office speaks only in general terms, its building code adds no roof words, and the only other general permit clause found sits in the Zoning Ordinance and does not name roof work, this record does not decide whether the City requires a permit for an ordinary reroof. The FAQ also says that if an emergency repair or replacement is needed "you may make the repairs and/or replacement after which you must apply for a permit within three (3) days and have any required inspections completed." Applications go through the City's Cloudpermit portal. The Code Enforcement Office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except legal holidays, at 814-437-1922 x 1128. Read for this answer: Article 1701 of the Codified Ordinances, the Franklin Building Code, as the City publishes it; Article 1309 of the Zoning Ordinance, Administration, Enforcement, and Appeals; Article 1101, the Property Maintenance Code; Article 1735, Historic District; the text of every ordinance PDF the City links from its codified-ordinance index, searched for "roof," which found no permit provision naming roof work (the scanned Zoning chapters could not be searched); the City's Building Codes & Permits, Code Enforcement, Apply for a Building Permit online and Frequently Asked Questions pages; the 2026 Building Permit Fee Schedule; and the Code Enforcement Fee Schedule.