Roofing in Lower Southampton 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 Southampton Township administers the code itself: Section 5-101 of the Township Code says "This Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code, Act 45 of 1999," Section 5-101.3 A provides for "the designation of an employee of the Township to serve as the municipal code official," and the Township's Zoning Department, at the Administration Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville, lists its own Zoning Officer/Building Code Official and says its staff "reviews applications for permits." Section 5-101 of the Township Code incorporates the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time," while Section 5-102 reinstates the roof chapter of the BOCA Code 1996, and the Township's pages and permit application name no residential code edition (the application's "Code Edition" box is for office use); this record has not read the BOCA Code 1996 roof chapter's text and does not decide how it bears on a house reroof or which text the Township applies. Section 5-103 adopts the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code.

Lower Southampton Township has published no statement on whether a house reroof needs a permit, and its code names no roof work as permit work or as exempt. Section 5-101 of the Township Code adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time" as the municipal building code and names no roof work. Section 5-102 (Ord. 498, 2004) says the Township "will reinstate that part of the BOCA Code 1996 that deals specifically with roofs and roof structure, previously known as Chapter 15, in its entirety"; it is a technical chapter and says nothing on permits. The Permits and Forms page says "Use the UCC Permit Form for the following but not limited: Accessibility, Building, Demolition, Electrical, Mechanical & Plumbing," and the PA UCC Construction Permit Application's "PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION" boxes do not include roofing. The Township's Fee Schedule (approved by the Board of Supervisors January 28, 2026) has a residential "Alterations and Additions" category and a "Commercial Roofing, Siding, Windows, and Doors" category that is for commercial work; it has no residential roofing line. The Township has published no statement on whether a house reroof needs a permit, and this record does not state whether one is required. 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 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." Before starting a reroof, ask the Township (215-357-7300) whether it requires a permit for the job. The Permits and Forms page says "Permits can be dropped off at the Township Administration Building or emailed" in PDF format; the UCC application says "Two (2) sets of detailed construction plans MUST be submitted with all application" and asks for a copy of the signed contract; the Fee Schedule says "PERMIT FEES MAY BE DOUBLED FOR FAILURE TO PULL PERMITS." Read for this answer: Chapter 5 of the Township Code, Code Enforcement (Sections 5-101 to 5-103), in full; the table of Chapter 13, Licenses, Permits and General Business Regulations, and its Part 6, Responsible Contractors, which concerns Township procurement; a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing," which found no permit provision naming roof work; the Zoning Department and Permits and Forms pages; the PA UCC Construction Permit Application and Zoning Permit Application; and the 2026 Fee Schedule. The Administration Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville, is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., at (215) 357-7300.