Roofing in Ross Township (Allegheny 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, Ross Township administers the code through its own Department of Community Development, whose Building page says "Ross Township has adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code which presently adheres to the 2021 International Building Codes" (with amendments), lists the 2021 International Residential Code among them, and describes its role as "Locally enforce the PA UCC (Building Codes)"; residential inspections are requested from the Township, and commercial building and electrical inspections are done by Code.sys Code Consulting, Inc. Section 5-102 of the Township Code adopts the Uniform Construction Code, "as amended from time to time," "as the municipal building code of the Township," and Section 5-107 adds rules only for certificates of occupancy for uncertified buildings. No ordinance reaching residential reroofing was found in Part 1 of Chapter 5 of the Township Code (Uniform Construction Code, Sections 5-101 to 5-107) or in a search of the whole Code for roof provisions, both read for this record; Parts 2 and 3 of Chapter 5 (property maintenance and monetary penalties) were not read.

Ross Township has published nothing read for this record that names roofing as permit work or as exempt. Its Forms and Resources page says "NO WORK SHALL COMMENCE WITHOUT AN APPROVED AND ISSUED PERMIT," and its residential permit application and 2026 fee schedule have general "Repair to Existing" and "Repairs & Alterations" categories but no roofing permit or roofing fee. Section 5-102 of the Township Code adopts the Uniform Construction Code by reference, and no Township ordinance read for this record names 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 therefore does not state whether a Township ordinance requires a permit for a reroof. Before starting one, ask the Department of Community Development (412-931-7048) whether it requires a permit for the job. Permits are applied for online through the Township's iWorq portal or on paper at 1000 Ross Municipal Drive, Pittsburgh; the Department's hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The application asks for the contractor's Pennsylvania licence number. "All inspections require 48-hour notice," and residential inspection requests, except electrical and plumbing, are made by email to the Township; electrical inspections are scheduled with Code.sys Code Consulting, Inc. and plumbing with the Allegheny County Health Department.