Roofing in Mt. Lebanon, 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, Mt. Lebanon administers the code itself: Section 2-401 of the Mt. Lebanon Code says "The Municipality of Mt. Lebanon hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act" and that administration and enforcement "shall be undertaken by the Chief Inspector of the Municipality who will serve as the municipal employee and code official," and its Inspection Office issues building permits. Section 2-401 adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time" as the municipal building code. Section 2-101 of the Mt. Lebanon Code, in Chapter 2, Part 1, still adopts the National Building Code of the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, "Twelfth Edition, 1993," stating that it does so "In order to adopt regulations, inter alia, for the construction of new buildings and the alteration and repair of old ones, to require that before the work begins Municipal approval of the plans and specifications therefore be secured," and Section 2-401 keeps in force building code ordinances adopted "on or before July 1, 1999, and which equal or exceed the requirements of the Code." The Inspection Office's pages name no code edition, and this record has not read the 1993 BOCA code's text, including its permit and roofing provisions. Chapter 2 of the Mt. Lebanon Code, Buildings, read for Parts 1, 3 and 4 (Sections 2-101, 2-102, 2-301 to 2-303 and 2-401), names no roof covering, reroofing or roof sheathing rule; its only roof words, in an amendment to the 1993 code's section 108.4, set a time limit to "complete the enclosure of all structures, including roof, windows and doors" on new work.

Read October 6, 2026: the Inspection Office's Inspections, Permits & Zoning page says "Do not proceed with work without a permit" and "Obtain a permit before beginning construction, alteration, replacing or repairing an existing structure," and for residential work "You must get a permit before beginning construction, alteration, replacing or repairing an existing structure, including (but not limited to): Additions, decks, hot tubs, structural roof repairs and window replacements." It adds "If you have any questions regarding the requirement of a building permit, the permit process, applications or Fee Schedule, please call the Inspection Office." The page names no other roof work and does not say that a reroof needs no permit, and the 2026 fee schedule has no reroofing line; residential work is charged under "Single Family Residential - Additions and Exterior/Interior Renovations." Section 2-101 of the Mt. Lebanon Code, in Chapter 2, Part 1, still adopts the National Building Code of the Building Officials and Code Administrators International, "Twelfth Edition, 1993," stating that it does so "In order to adopt regulations, inter alia, for the construction of new buildings and the alteration and repair of old ones, to require that before the work begins Municipal approval of the plans and specifications therefore be secured," and Section 2-401 keeps in force building code ordinances adopted "on or before July 1, 1999, and which equal or exceed the requirements of the Code." The Inspection Office's pages name no code edition, and this record has not read the 1993 BOCA code's text, including its permit and roofing provisions. 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 Mt. Lebanon; the office invites questions on whether a permit is needed, so ask the Inspection Office (412-343-3408) before starting. The page says "If work proceeds without a permit, the owner may be subject to fines determined by the magisterial district judge," and the fee schedule lists a charge for "Starting Construction Without First Applying/Obtaining The Required Permits." Applications go in online through MyLebo and Municity Connect or at the office, 710 Washington Road, second floor, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the page says "Generally residential building permits can be issued within 15 business days" and "APPROVED PERMIT CARDS MUST BE PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN A WINDOW VISIBLE FROM THE STREET." Section 2-301 limits exterior construction work to "between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday" unless the Manager consents in writing.