Roofing in Rostraver Township, 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, Rostraver Township administers the code itself: Section 79-1 of the Township Code (Ord. No. 683, March 1, 2017) says the Township "hereby elects to administer and enforce" the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, and the Township's Apply for Permit page says the Board of Commissioners approved "Ordinance #683-PA UCC to opt-in the Pennsylvania Construction Code administered through Rostraver Township" and that residential and commercial properties "will also be required to get a building permit from Rostraver Township." Its Roofing page names a Township Building Officer. Section 79-2 adopts "The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 through 405, as amended from time to time" as the municipal building code and changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions. The Township's pages name no code edition.

One of Rostraver Township's own permit pages lists shingle work among repairs that need a building permit, and another says residential roofing needs none. The Township's Apply for Permit page (read October 9, 2026) says "No zoning permits are needed for non-structural repairs such as siding, shingles, interior remodeling, fence, sidewalks, above ground pools, etc. A building permit is required." The Township's Roofing page, read the same day, says "For residential: No permits are required." and "For any commercial building: A building permit is required," and its Remodeling/Renovations page says "If there is no structural changes to the building for residential only, then a building permit is not required." Chapter 79 of the Township Code adopts the Uniform Construction Code by reference and adds no permit or exemption provision of its own for residential repairs or alterations, and the Township's 2025 fee schedule (Resolution No. 1351) has residential building permit lines for new construction, mobile homes, garages, porches, decks, additions and pools and no roofing line. 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 two Township statements quoted above answer differently, and this record does not state whether a permit is required for a house reroof in Rostraver Township; ask the Township before work starts. Electrical permit applications go through K2 Engineering. The Apply for Permit page says further details "CAN BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE TOWNSHIP'S ZONING/ORDINANCE OFFICER AT (724) 929-8877." The Township office at 201 Municipal Drive is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday. Read for this answer: Chapter 79 of the Township Code, Building Regulations (Sections 79-1 to 79-8), in full; Chapter 90, Fees and Charges; every page of a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" and for "reroofing," which found no permit provision naming roof work; the Township's Apply for Permit, Roofing and Remodeling/Renovations pages; and the 2025 fee schedule (Resolution No. 1351).