Roofing in Peters Township (Franklin 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, Peters Township's Land Use Permit page says "A Land Use Permit Application is always the first step" and that "This office determines if the construction would also require a permit from PA Municipal Alliance (PMCA) or Commonwealth Code Inspection Services (CCIS) per the guidelines set forth in the Uniform Construction Code"; Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance, 1013 Wayne Avenue, Chambersburg, lists Peters Township (Franklin County) among the municipalities on its resources page. The Township has not posted its Uniform Construction Code ordinance or a codified code: the Township's Permits/Ordinances page posts only its subdivision and land development, solar, nuisance and data center ordinances, so this record has not read whether the Township adds any permit requirement of its own for residential repairs or alterations. No Township page names a code edition.

Peters Township's Land Use Permit page says a roof change needs no permit "unless you are replacing the wood under the materials." The Township's Land Use Permit page, which says "A Land Use Permit is required if you plan to build, place, or remodel a structure," answers the question "Do I need a permit if I change my metal siding to vinyl or if I change my roof?" with "No, whether you are simply updating materials or changing them, as long you are not making any structural changes, you do not need a permit. This also applies to roofs. If you change from shingles to metal, there is no need for a permit unless you are replacing the wood under the materials." That answer sits on the Land Use Permit page. Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance's FAQ links, under "I am re-roofing my residential structure – do I need a building permit?", to a letter dated July 20, 2018 and addressed "Dear Municipal Official" that says "a residential Re-roof still requires compliance with the provisions of the UCC but does not require a building permit" and "If structural work is required such as replacing studs, headers, rafters or trusses a permit would now be required"; the letter does not name Peters Township. The Township has not posted its Uniform Construction Code ordinance or a codified code: the Township's Permits/Ordinances page posts only its subdivision and land development, solar, nuisance and data center ordinances, so this record has not read whether the Township adds any permit requirement of its own for residential repairs or alterations. 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 a house reroof in the Township needs a permit; ask the Township office (717-328-3352) before starting. The Land Use Permit page sets the Township's fee at "$1 per $1000 plus $4 for administrative costs." The Township office is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 to 4:00. Read for this answer: the Township's home, Permits/Ordinances, Land Use Permit, Demolition Permit and Contact pages; the Land Use Permit Application; the solar ordinance; and Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance's resources and FAQ pages and its re-roof letter.