Roofing in Oxford, 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, Oxford Borough's Codes Department, at Borough Hall, 1 Octoraro Alley, Oxford, reviews and issues building and zoning permits and conducts inspections during construction, its page says. Section 5-101 of the Borough Code says "This municipality hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act." Section 5-102 adopts the Uniform Construction Code in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 to 405, "as amended from time to time," "as the municipal building code of this Municipality"; Section 5-107 amends the regulation's exclusion for small accessory structures and its permit application section, and Part 1 of Chapter 5 names no roof work. The Borough's roof permit application says "All work is to be done in accordance with the current ICC Code, which has been adopted by the Borough with several additions and insertions" and names no edition.

Oxford Borough requires its own roof permit for roof replacement with no structural change, and a building permit where the roof work is structural. The Borough has its own roof permit apart from the building permit. Its 2026 fee schedule lists under "PERMITS – OTHER" a "ROOF, WINDOW, SIDING, DOOR PERMIT" with "Roofing & Siding - no ‘construction’ $100" and "*If any structural changes = Building permit required," and Resolution 1417-2026 (adopted March 2, 2026) set that line. The Borough's application for the permit is headed "ZONING APPLICATION" and "ROOF, WINDOWS, DOORS, SIDING PERMIT," says "NO STRUCTURAL CHANGES - REPLACEMENTS ONLY" and "If changing size of windows &/or doors or completing structural work with roof - additional fees for inspections & Building permit applications will be required," and lists among its conditions "No more than two layers of roofing." and "No overlay of wooden shingles and/or shakes." Section 12-102 of the Historic District chapter says residential work in the historic district "that does not require a building permit under the terms of the Uniform Construction Code shall not be subject to the terms of this chapter" and that such activities "may include, but are not limited to" the "Replacement of a roof or a portion thereof"; the roof permit application asks whether the property is within the HARB district. Section 5-102 adopts the Uniform Construction Code in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 to 405, "as amended from time to time," "as the municipal building code of this Municipality"; Section 5-107 amends the regulation's exclusion for small accessory structures and its permit application section, and Part 1 of Chapter 5 names no roof work. 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 decide whether a Uniform Construction Code permit is required for an ordinary reroof. In practice, expect the Borough to require its roof permit for a reroof, and a building permit where the roof work is structural. The fee schedule says "Any person who commences work without obtaining the necessary permit(s) shall be subject to TWO (2) times the payment of the permit fee." The roof permit application says "All Contractors must be registered with the Borough of Oxford and submit current certificates of insurance." The Codes Department is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at 610-932-2500 ext. 1307. Read for this answer: Part 1 of Chapter 5 of the Borough Code, Uniform Construction Code (Sections 5-101 to 5-107), in full; Chapter 4, Buildings; Part 1 of Chapter 12, Historic District; every page of a search of the whole Borough Code for "roof" and for "roofing" (none for "reroofing"); the Borough's 2026 fee schedule and Resolution 1417-2026; the Codes Department and Permit Applications pages; and the roof and residential building permit applications.