Roofing in Londonderry Township (Dauphin 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, Londonderry Township administers the code through its Codes Department at 783 South Geyers Church Road, Middletown: Section 5-804 of the Township Code says "Londonderry hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and the Township's Permit Fees & Third Party Inspectors page says "Londonderry Township uses Third Party Agencies to complete plan reviews and inspections as required by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code," listing Associated Building Inspections, Approved Code Services and Barry Isett & Associates. Section 5-804 adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time" as the Municipal Building Code, and Part 8 changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions. The Building Codes & Permits page says "Effective January 1st 2026: The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code will begin enforcing the 2021 Model I-codes of the International Code Council."

Londonderry Township's pages read for this record do not say whether a house reroof needs a permit. The Township's When Is A Permit Required? page says "Permits are required in Londonderry Township for many things" and "The listing below is NOT a conclusive list of all the permits or projects that may be required to have permits." Under "Addition or Changes to my House" it quotes the State's general permit rule, 34 Pa. Code 403.62(a), and says "Any property owner or contractor wishing to do work in Londonderry Township that meets this statement is required to apply for a building permit"; it names no roof work. The 2026 fee schedule (Resolution 2025-31) has no roofing line and prices a residential "Building/Other UCC Permit" by estimated construction cost, and the residential application has no roofing box. Part 8 of Chapter 5 of the Township Code (Ord. 2004-3) adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time" by reference, names no roof work either way and adds no permit clause of its own; Section 5-806 keeps in force construction code ordinances adopted on or before July 1, 1999 "which equal or exceed the requirements of the Uniform Construction Code," and Chapter 5 holds no other building code part. 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 Codes Department (717-944-1803) before starting. The fee schedule charges "$250.00 + Permit Fees" for "Failure to Acquire Permits" on residential work. Applications go through the Township's online submission form or to the Codes Department, open 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 2pm Friday. Read for this answer: Chapter 5, Part 8 of the Township Code, Adoption of Uniform Construction Code (Sections 5-801 to 5-809), in full, and the Chapter 5 table of contents; every page of a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing," which found no permit provision naming roof work; the Building Codes & Permits, When Is A Permit Required?, Permits & Applications and Permit Fees & Third Party Inspectors pages; the residential building and zoning permit applications; and the 2026 fee schedule.