Roofing in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania

Required

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, Radnor Township administers the code through its own Department of Community Development: its Construction Permits page says "All inspections, with exception of electrical work, will be done be a Radnor Township Code Official," and Section 125-4 of the Township Code makes the Director of Community Development the Building Official. Section 144A-1 adopts the Uniform Construction Code, "as amended through February 14, 2022, and as further amended from time to time," as the "Radnor Building Code," and Chapter 125 adopts the model codes with local amendments. Section 125-3 adopts the "International Residential Code, 2018 Edition," as the Township's One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code, and Section 125-4's amendments, including the roof exemption, are written against that edition; the Department's Construction Permits page lists the "2021 International Residential Code" among the codes "currently in effect for Radnor Township." This record has not read the 2018 edition's text. Section 125-4 of the Radnor Township Code (Ordinance No. 2022-21, adopted January 3, 2023) replaces the opening paragraph of the residential code's Section R105.2, Work exempt from permit, adding "In addition, a zoning/use permit shall be required for any of the exempt work listed in this section as determined by the Building Official," and adds to its exemption list "Replacement of existing roof material that does not exceed 25% of the total roof area performed within any twelve-month period" and "Replacement of existing siding." Section 125-4 also fills in Table R301.2(1) and sets a fine of "not more than $1,000 per violation." Chapter 144A (Construction Codes, Uniform), Chapter 125 (Building Construction, Sections 125-1 to 125-4) and Chapter 145 (Contractors) of the Township Code, and a search of the whole Code for roof provisions, were read for this record.

Radnor Township requires a permit for a reroof over a quarter of the roof. Section 125-4 of the Radnor Township Code (Ordinance No. 2022-21, adopted January 3, 2023) replaces the opening paragraph of the residential code's Section R105.2, Work exempt from permit, adding "In addition, a zoning/use permit shall be required for any of the exempt work listed in this section as determined by the Building Official," and adds to its exemption list "Replacement of existing roof material that does not exceed 25% of the total roof area performed within any twelve-month period" and "Replacement of existing siding." The Department's Frequently Asked Questions page, read October 6, 2026, answers "What do I need a permit for?" with "You will need a permit for:" a list that includes "roof replacement." Its Construction Permits page says "Construction permits are required for most types of work and all contractors must be licensed with Radnor Township. Please contact the Department of Community Development to find out which types of work need permits." Under state law, Act 45 says the Act "shall not apply to" "Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" or to "Repairs to residential buildings, except as might be required by ordinances in effect pursuant to section 303(b)(1) or adopted pursuant to section 503" (section 104(b)(5) and (6)), and of a municipal ordinance that adds to the code, section 503(c) says "An ordinance under this subsection shall not be effective nor enforceable unless subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) have been satisfied." This record does not decide whether the municipality's requirement is one adopted under section 503 or kept in effect by section 303(b)(1). In practice, expect the Township to require a permit for any full reroof, and to ask about a zoning/use permit for a smaller one. The page says "If work is done without permits 1st being obtained, administrative actions may be taken," the 2026 Consolidated Fee Schedule (Ordinance 2026-04) lists a "Fee for work without permits" of 50% of the permit fee, and Section 125-4 sets a fine of "not more than $1,000 per violation." Residential "Additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, etc." are charged $20.00 per $1,000 of cost, plus a $4.50 state surcharge, and two sets of permit applications are required on all submittals. Section 145-3 of the Township Code makes it "unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in the business as a contractor within the Township of Radnor without first having obtained a license from the Department of Community Development," with a certificate of insurance filed before any permit is issued; the 2026 fee schedule lists the annual General Contractor's License at $50.00. "All permits issued are required to have field inspections by a Code Official," the contractor must accompany the Code Official, and the Department is reached at 610-688-5600, 301 Iven Avenue, Wayne.