Roofing in Kelly 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, Kelly Township administers the code through the Central Keystone Council of Governments: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says the Township "does hereby elect to administer and enforce within the Township the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," the Township's Planning & Zoning page lists, under "Building & Zoning Permits," the Central Keystone Council of Governments at 1610 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 400A, Lewisburg (570-522-1326), and the COG names Kelly Township among its Union County members. Section 5-102 says the Uniform Construction Code, "set forth in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405 , as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted as the Township Building Code," and Chapter 5 changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions. The Township's pages name no code edition.

No Kelly Township text read for this record names roof covering work as building permit work or as exempt from a building permit. Part 1 of Chapter 5 of the Township Code, the Township's Uniform Construction Code ordinance (Ord. No. 04-04, June 25, 2004), names no roof work either way and adds no permit clause of its own; Section 5-105 says "All ordinances or portion of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed," and Chapter 4, Buildings, is reserved. Section 27-1202 of the Zoning Ordinance says "Zoning permits shall not be required for" "General exterior maintenance and repair to existing buildings or structures; including siding, roofing, painting" unless the work is proposed within a floodplain district; that exemption speaks to the zoning permit only. The COG's Residential Building Permits page lists among work for which "UCC Building Permits are required" the item "Any roof repair/replacement of framing when attached to the house" 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 Kelly Township and does not say whether a reroof that leaves the framing alone needs a permit, and the COG's 2026 fee schedule has no reroofing line; its only roof entry prices a roof-mounted solar electrical inspection. 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." 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." This record does not state whether a house reroof needs a building permit in Kelly Township; ask the COG (570-522-1326) before starting. Section 5-108 sets a fine "of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution" for a violation of the Township's building code. The Township office is at 551 Zeigler Road, Lewisburg (570-524-0437). Read for this answer: Chapter 5 of the Township Code, Code Enforcement (Sections 5-101 to 5-206), in full; the Code's table of contents and Chapter 13; Part 12 of the Zoning Ordinance, Administration and Enforcement; every page of a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing," which found no building permit provision naming roof work; the Township's Planning & Zoning page; and the COG's Residential Building Permits, Residential Building Permit Fees, Union County members, FAQ and Download Forms pages and its 2026 fee schedule.