Roofing in Gregg Township (Union County), 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, Gregg Township in Union County sends building permits to the Central Keystone Council of Governments: the Township's Resources page lists "Building Permit, Codes Enforcement and Inspections for Gregg Township" under "Central Keystone Council of Governments", its directory lists the "Building Permit Officer, Central Keystone COG", and the COG's FAQ lists "ALL Union County Municipalities" among the areas where it enforces building codes. The COG's office is at 1610 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 400A, Lewisburg. The Township's ordinance adopting the Uniform Construction Code is not posted on its site, and neither the Township's pages nor the COG's pages read for this record name a code edition.

No Gregg Township text read for this record names roof covering work as building permit work or as exempt. The Township's home page says "Building and Zoning permits are required for improvements within Gregg Township" and names no roof work. The Township's ordinance adopting the Uniform Construction Code is not posted on its site. The Township's building permit application lists "ROOFING" among additional permits or other jurisdiction approvals on a general form and has no roofing permit type of its own. Section 27.4.2 of the Township's zoning ordinance says "Zoning Permits shall not be required for any of the following activities except when proposed in a floodplain district" and lists "exterior or interior maintenance and repair to existing buildings or structures; including siding, roofing, painting, storm windows, and similar activities"; that section speaks to the zoning permit and says nothing of the building permit. The COG's Residential Building Permits page lists "Any roof repair/replacement of framing when attached to the house" among its items and says "If you are unsure whether or not you need a Building Permit or additional approvals, contact us first and we will let you know." That page does not name Gregg Township. The COG's residential fee page says "Permit fees for repairs, alterations, and most additions, including pools and decks, are based on the number of inspections that will be required and are set at the discretion of the Building Code Official", and its 2026 Residential Permit Fee Schedule has no reroofing line. Neither the Township's pages nor the COG's pages say whether a reroof that leaves the framing alone needs a building 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." This record does not decide whether the Township requires a permit for an ordinary reroof. The COG's Residential Building Permits page also says "Even if your project does not require a Building Permit, it may require approval from your Municipality. Always contact your Township or Borough Office before starting any project." The Central Keystone COG is at 570-522-1326, and the Township office, 18084 Russell Road, Allenwood, is at 570-538-5499. Read for this record: the Township's zoning ordinance (September 2014 update), including Article 27; the Township's building permit and zoning permit applications; the Township's home, Resources and directory pages; and the Central Keystone COG's Residential Building Permits, Residential Building Permit Fees, 2026 Residential Permit Fee Schedule, FAQ and Union County member pages. The Township's Uniform Construction Code ordinance is not posted and was not read.