Roofing in New Cumberland, 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, New Cumberland Borough takes building permit applications at the Borough Office, 1120 Market Street, and uses a third-party agency for the code: its Codes Enforcement and Zoning page names "Approved Codes the Building Code Official (717) 506-0464," and its building permit application names "Third Party Agency: Approved Code Services" and says "Work may not start until an official building permit has been issued by the New Cumberland Borough." The Borough has not published its Uniform Construction Code ordinance online, and it was not read for this record; none of the Borough ordinances posted on its Permits and Documents page is a building code ordinance. The Borough's building permit application says "All work shall comply with the 2015 International Building Codes" and names no residential code edition; this record has not read the 2015 edition's text and does not decide which edition the Borough applies.

New Cumberland Borough's codes page lists "Roof Replacement" among work for which "Building Permits may be required." The Borough's Codes Enforcement and Zoning page (read October 9, 2026) says "All permits start in the Borough Office in order to verify if it’s possible to move forward. Building Permits may be required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change occupancy of buildings and structures including:" and lists "Roof Replacement" with decks and porches, pools, additions and changes in use. The Borough's fee schedule (last revised March 11, 2026) charges a "Building Permit Administration Fee" of $25.00 with permit fees "As Established by 3rd Party Fee Schedule"; Approved Code Services' 2026 fee schedule, posted on the Borough's page, bills residential plan review and inspection by the hour and a "Residenial Alteration permit" BCO fee of $35.00, with no separate roofing line. The Borough has not published its Uniform Construction Code ordinance online, and it was not read for this record; none of the Borough ordinances posted on its Permits and Documents page is a building code ordinance. 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 Borough requires a permit for a house reroof; ask the Borough Office (717-774-0404) before starting. The Borough's application says "Work may not start until an official building permit has been issued by the New Cumberland Borough." Before a project the page says to contact "Approved Codes the Building Code Official (717) 506-0464." The application must be submitted to the Borough Office with four sets of construction plans and payment; one copy stays with the Borough and three go to the third-party agency, which reviews them before a permit is issued. The Borough Office is open 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Friday, at 717-774-0404. Read for this answer: the Borough's Codes Enforcement and Zoning page and its Permits and Documents page, the Borough's building permit application, the Borough fee schedule, and Approved Code Services' 2026 fee schedule posted by the Borough. The Borough's Uniform Construction Code ordinance is not published online.