Roofing in Lawrence Township (Clearfield 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, Lawrence Township (Clearfield County) administers the code itself: Section 48-1 of the Township Code says "This municipality hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and the Township's Building Permits page says "Lawrence Township uses Pennsafe Building Inspection Services, LLC," that completed applications are returned to the Code/Zoning Officer at 9120 Clearfield Curwensville Hwy., and that "All projects will require the Code/Zoning Officer to sign off on the project to ensure compliance with the Codes of Lawrence Township." Section 48-2 adopts "The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 through 405, as amended from time to time" as the municipal building code, and Chapter 48 changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions. The Township's Building Permits page says "Lawrence Township currently uses the 2018 International Residential Code and 2018 International Building Code", and Chapter 42 of the Township Code still carries a 2002 adoption of the 2000 International Residential Code; this record has not read the 2018 or 2000 edition's text and does not decide which edition the Township applies.

Lawrence Township's Zoning chapter lists "Metal roofing and shingle replacement" among residential work "exempt from obtaining Pennsylvania UCC building permits and zoning permits." Section 125-29D of the Township's Zoning chapter (amended February 17, 2026 by Ord. No. 2026-01) says "Residential only. The following are exempt from obtaining Pennsylvania UCC building permits and zoning permits:" and lists "Metal roofing and shingle replacement" with siding and fascia, exact-replacement windows and doors, and painting; Section 125-29F adds "If you are in a flood zone you must contact the Floodplain Administrator before doing any work as a floodplain permit may be required even if exempt above." That exemption sits in the Zoning chapter. Chapter 48, the Township's Uniform Construction Code ordinance (Ord. No. 2004-05), adopts the code by reference and names no roof work. Separately, Article II of Chapter 42 (Ord. No. 2002-06, March 19, 2002) adopts the "International Residential Code, 2000 Edition" for "alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement" of houses and "providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor"; this record has not read that edition's permit sections and does not decide how Chapter 42 bears on a reroof today. The Township's fee schedule (Section A128-2) charges "Building permits: $70, plus $3 per thousand of construction over $2,000" and has no roofing line. The Township's Building Permits page says nothing on reroofing either way, and the Pennsafe application list it points to names "Commercial Roof" and no residential roofing application. 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 Township requires a permit for a house reroof; ask the Code/Zoning Officer (814-765-0176) before starting. The fee schedule says "Any violations of required permits will result in fees being doubled." The Code and Zoning office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Read for this answer: Chapters 42 and 48 of the Township Code in full; Article V of the Zoning chapter (Sections 125-27 to 125-30); Articles II and IV of the fee chapter, Chapter A128; every page of a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing," and a search for "building permit"; the Township's Code & Zoning, Building Permits and Township Forms pages; and Pennsafe's application list.