Roofing in Pine Township (Mercer 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, Pine Township in Mercer County takes zoning and UCC/building permit applications at its Municipal Building, 545 Barkeyville Road, Grove City; its permit guide says the Township's Building Code Official "will review your UCC applications and plans" and returns the processed application to the township office. The Township's ordinance adopting the Uniform Construction Code is not published online, and this record has not read it; the Township's website publishes only its zoning, stormwater and floodplain ordinances, and the 2016 Zoning Ordinance, read in full, names no roofing permit. The Township's Building Permit Application Requirements say "All structures shall be constructed as provided in IRC 2003 building code and references" and name no later edition; the 2003 edition's text was not read for this record, and this record does not decide which edition the Township applies.

Pine Township's published permit guide lists when a UCC/Building Permit is required and does not name roofing. The Township's "Permit Requirements and Application Process" guide says "A UCC/Building Permit is required when any of the conditions below apply" and lists six: new freestanding structures of 1,000 square feet or more, structures attached to an existing structure, commercial or industrial uses, mobile homes, swimming pools and lighted or attached signs; roofing is not among them, and the guide does not say whether a reroof needs a permit. The Township's Application for Zoning/Building Permits has no roofing box, and the Building Code Official's 2023 fee schedule has no roofing line; it prices "Additions & Alterations up to 1000 Sq. Ft. (Single Family): $475" and says "anything not listed will be taken into special consideration." The Township's ordinance adopting the Uniform Construction Code is not published online, and this record has not read it; the Township's website publishes only its zoning, stormwater and floodplain ordinances, and the 2016 Zoning Ordinance, read in full, names no roofing permit. 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." The guide says "Not Sure if you need a Permit or you need help with the process…read below, or, contact us," and the Township Office, open Monday through Friday 8:30 to 3:30, is at 724-458-7229. Read for this record: the Township's Permit Information and Applications page and the permit guide, application requirements, notice to applicants and Application for Zoning/Building Permits posted there; the Building Inspection Fees page and the 2023 fee schedule, read from its page image; the Hours and Services page; and the 2016 Zoning Ordinance.