Roofing in Perry Township (Snyder County), 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, Perry Township's Building Permit Information page says "Buildings 1,000 Square Feet and up - Contact:" the Central Keystone COG, Building Permits, 1610 Industrial Blvd., Suite 400, Lewisburg (570-522-1326), and "Building less than 1,000 Square Feet - Contact:" the Perry Township Secretary (570-539-4784); the Township office is at 18 Hoffman Hill Road, Mt. Pleasant Mills. The Central Keystone Council of Governments' Snyder County page says "All municipalities in Snyder County have adopted the PA Act 45 Building Code" and its FAQ page lists "Snyder County – All Snyder County Municipalities ( EXCEPT Monroe Township )" among the areas where it enforces building codes. The Council of Governments' FAQ page lists "Residential – 2021 IRC" among the codes it enforces; the Township's pages name no code edition.

No Perry Township text read says in terms that a house reroof needs a permit or is exempt. The Township's own application is headed Non-UCC Permit Application, cites "Per Ordinance #2021-01, Section 2.02 and Section 2.03," says "A permit is required for each building project," and prices a project by building size: "there will be no charge. However, permit will be required" for zero to 99 square feet, and "1,000 square feet and upward, application will go through Central Keystone COG." It names no roof work, and Ordinance #2021-01 is not posted on the Township's Ordinance Information page and was not read for this record. The Council of Governments' Residential Building Permits page lists "UCC Building Permits are required for:" "Any roof repair/replacement of framing when attached to the house" and "Any roof addition when attached to the house, including those for decks and porches," and its fee page says "Permit fees for repairs, alterations, and most additions, including pools and decks, are based on the number of inspections that will be required"; none of its pages read names a roof covering or reroof line, and this record does not decide whether the framing line speaks to a covering-only reroof. The Township's Ordinance Information page says "currently do not apply" of zoning requirements, and the Council of Governments' Snyder County page says "A Zoning Permit is not required in Perry Township." The Township's page says "Make sure you find out if a permit is required first." Ask the Township Secretary at 570-539-4784 or the Central Keystone COG at 570-522-1326 before work starts. Read for this answer: the Township's Building Permit Information, Ordinance Information and Officials pages, its Non-UCC Permit Application, and the Central Keystone Council of Governments' Residential Building Permits, Residential Building Permit Fees, Additions or Alterations, Snyder County and FAQ pages. The Township's ordinance adopting the Uniform Construction Code is not posted on its pages and was not read.