Roofing in McCandless, 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, the Town of McCandless administers the code itself: Section 1719.01 of the Town's codified ordinances says the Town "hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and the Town's Building & Planning page says the planning and development administrator's duties include "Administer the zoning and subdivision ordinances and building permits" and lists the Town's Building Inspector and Permit Coordinator. Article 1719 of the Town's codified ordinances, Uniform Construction Code (Sections 1719.01 to 1719.05, Ord. 1300 of 2004), and Article 1701, Building Construction (Sections 1701.01 to 1701.99), both read in full, adopt the Uniform Construction Code by reference and add no permit clause of the Town's own; neither names roof covering, reroofing or roof sheathing. Section 1719.04 keeps in force building code ordinances adopted "on or before July 1, 1999, which equal or exceed the requirements of the Code"; this record read no other article of the Town's building code. The Town's pages and fee resolution name no code edition.

Read October 6, 2026, the Building & Planning page, the Town's Building and Zoning Permit Submission Guidelines (revised September 2024), the Town's FAQ page and its online permit portal name no residential roof work either way. The fee resolution (Resolution 2025-32, adopted December 15, 2025) charges residential work "inclusive of all projects under the International Residential Code (IRC)" only as "New Construction" or "Additions, Renovations, Accessory Structures over 400 sq ft"; its one roof line, "Roof replacement / recover (no structural changes to decking)," at $0.05 per square foot of roof area, sits under "Commercial (inclusive of all projects under the International Building Code (IBC))." Article 1719 of the Town's codified ordinances, Uniform Construction Code (Sections 1719.01 to 1719.05, Ord. 1300 of 2004), and Article 1701, Building Construction (Sections 1701.01 to 1701.99), both read in full, adopt the Uniform Construction Code by reference and add no permit clause of the Town's own; neither names roof covering, reroofing or roof sheathing. The Town's only permit rule for houses is the State's, adopted by reference: 34 Pa. Code 403.62(a) requires a permit of an owner "who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a residential building," and 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". 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)). This record does not answer whether a reroof needs a permit in McCandless; the Submission Guidelines say "For questions not covered by this guide, please contact the applicable Building and Planning Department division," so ask Building and Fire (412-364-0616 ext. 128) before starting. Section 1701.04 says "It shall be the responsibility of the recipient of a building permit to give twenty-four-hour notice for all inspections which are required by the Office of the Building Inspector." Applications go through the Town's online permit portal, which says "Applications will be reviewed for completeness within 2-3 business days"; the guidelines ask for a certificate of insurance showing workers' compensation coverage "for any projects that will be completed by paid employees." The department is at 9955 Grubbs Road, Wexford, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.