Roofing in Greencastle, 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, Greencastle Borough's Permits and Zoning page says the Borough has delegated administration of the Uniform Construction Code to a "building code inspection agency who has been authorized by the Borough to issue building permits," and lists PA Municipal Code Alliance, 1013 Wayne Avenue, Chambersburg (717-496-4996); a Land Use/Zoning Permit from the Borough Zoning Officer must come first. Chapter 106 of the Borough Code (Ord. No. 2004-01, May 3, 2004, read October 9, 2026) adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time" as the municipal building code, repeals "All building code ordinances or portions of ordinances heretofore adopted by the Borough" (Section 106-6A), and requires a Borough land use permit "When any building or construction activity is contemplated" before a construction permit application (Section 106-6C); it names no roof work and adds no permit requirement of its own for repairs or alterations. No Borough page names a code edition.

Greencastle Borough's code and pages read for this record do not say whether a house reroof needs a permit. Chapter 106 of the Borough Code (Ord. No. 2004-01, May 3, 2004, read October 9, 2026) adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time" as the municipal building code, repeals "All building code ordinances or portions of ordinances heretofore adopted by the Borough" (Section 106-6A), and requires a Borough land use permit "When any building or construction activity is contemplated" before a construction permit application (Section 106-6C); it names no roof work and adds no permit requirement of its own for repairs or alterations. The Borough's Permits and Zoning page says the Zoning Ordinance requires a Land Use/Zoning Permit before any building is "erected, reconstructed or restored, or structurally altered," and that "Property owners who are uncertain whether a permit is required should contact the Borough office at 717-597-7143 for clarification"; no Borough page names roof work. The agency's own website, which does not name the Borough on the pages read, answers the question "I am re-roofing my residential structure – do I need a building permit?" with a letter dated July 20, 2018 and addressed "Dear Municipal Official," which says "a residential Re-roof still requires compliance with the provisions of the UCC but does not require a building permit" and "If structural work is required such as replacing studs, headers, rafters or trusses a permit would now be required"; the letter refers to the 2015 International Residential Code. The agency's Re-Roof Application Packet says "A Building Permit is required if there is a structural repair" and lists a "Land Use Permit (signed/approved by the Municipality)" among its required documents. 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." This record does not state whether the Borough requires a permit for a house reroof; ask the Borough office (717-597-7143) or the agency (717-496-4996) before starting. Section 106-5 sets a fine of "not less than $250 nor more than $1,000, together with all costs" for violations of Chapter 106. The Borough office is open Monday 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, Tuesday to Thursday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Read for this answer: Chapter 106 of the Borough Code, Construction Codes, Uniform, in full; Article III of Chapter A207, Land Use Fees, whose building permit fee is set by the value of the improvement with no roofing line; every page of a search of the whole Borough Code for "roof" and for "reroofing"; the Borough's Permits and Zoning, Other Required Permits, FAQs and Office Hours pages; the Land Use/Zoning Permit application; and the agency's FAQ, permit applications page, re-roof letter and Re-Roof Application Packet.