Roofing in Lower Frederick 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, Lower Frederick Township takes permit applications at its office, 53 Spring Mount Road, Schwenksville: its Building Code & Zoning page says "All permits should be submitted to the Township directly" and lists Barry Isett & Associates for code enforcement, zoning and building plan review, and its Permits page says an owner who intends to do work regulated by the code "shall first make application to Barry Isett & Associates and obtain the required permit." Section 61-2 of the Township Code (Ord. No. 04-05, July 6, 2004) adopts "The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time" as the municipal building code. Section 61-9A of the Township Code (Ord. No. 05-04, April 5, 2005) says "the Township will require permits for residential alterations and repairs pursuant to the International Residential Code of 2003, Chapter 1 , Section 105, or any subsequent edition thereof." It names no roof work. The Township's Permits page says "The State of Pennsylvania has adopted the 2018 ICC Code effective February 14, 2022" and that later applications "are governed by the 2018 ICC Codes," the 2022 permit packet lists under "Codes in Force" the "International Residential Building Code 2009, with Amendments," and Section 61-9A names the 2003 edition for its permit rule; no Township page names the 2021 edition, this record has not read those earlier editions' text, and it does not decide which edition the Township applies.

Lower Frederick Township's own instruments disagree on whether a house reroof needs a permit. Section 61-9A of the Township Code (Ord. No. 05-04, April 5, 2005) says "the Township will require permits for residential alterations and repairs pursuant to the International Residential Code of 2003, Chapter 1 , Section 105, or any subsequent edition thereof." It names no roof work. The Township's 2026 fee schedule, Resolution No. 2026R-06 of the Board of Supervisors, says two things about reroofing. It says "Ordinary repairs do not require any permit" and lists among ordinary repairs "replacement or repair of existing roof covering." It also lists "Re-Roofing" with a "Residential" fee of $100.00 and says "Re-roofing that involves the repair or replacement of any part of the building structure, will require Building Permits in addition to the Re-roofing Permit." A 2022 building permit packet still posted on the Township's Permits page, which refers permit questions to LTL Consultants, says "Permits are not required for normal maintenance of property, but are required for the following" and lists "New Roofing on existing structures." This record does not decide which of these the Township applies to a house reroof. Under state law, Act 45 says the Act "shall not apply to" "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" or to "Repairs to residential buildings, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" (section 104(b)(5) and (6)), and of a municipal ordinance that adds to the code, section 503(c) says "An ordinance under this subsection shall not be effective nor enforceable unless subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) have been satisfied." This record does not decide whether the municipality's requirement is one adopted under section 503 or kept in effect by section 303(b)(1). 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 Township office (610-287-8857) before starting. The fee schedule adds that "The Code Enforcement may require structural analysis of the building structure by a registered engineer before issuing a Re-roofing Permit." The 2026 fee schedule charges "Double the standard fee" (minimum $250.00) for work without a permit when the permit is issued after work has started. If the applicant is the contractor, the Township requires a certificate of insurance naming Lower Frederick Township as certificate holder. The Township office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Read for this answer: Chapter 61 of the Township Code, Construction Codes, Uniform (Sections 61-1 to 61-9), in full; every page of a search of the whole Township Code for "roof", and searches for "reroofing" and "re-roofing" (none); the Township's Permits and Building Code & Zoning pages; its 2026 fee schedule, all 17 posted pages; the Barry Isett & Associates building permit application; and the 2022 building permit packet.