Roofing in Shenango Township (Lawrence 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, Shenango Township, in Lawrence County, takes permit applications at its Municipal Building, 1000 Willowbrook Road, New Castle, and its Building, Construction & Zoning page lists T W McCosby LLC under "Title: Building Code Official" and links the firm's fee schedule. The Township's Uniform Construction Code ordinance is not published on the Township's website, and the Township's Ordinances page lists only recent ordinances, so that ordinance, and any permit or exemption section in it, was not read for this record. The Township's pages name no code edition.

Shenango Township's Building Codes: Frequently Asked Questions page answers "No. This type of work is excluded from permitting and inspection" to whether installing new shingles on a home needs a permit. The Township's Building Codes: Frequently Asked Questions page (read October 9, 2026) asks "Do I need a permit to install new shingles or siding on my home?" and answers "No. This type of work is excluded from permitting and inspection." The same page says "Shenango Township also requires permits for certain accessory Structures and Structures which are exempt from the state code to make sure they satisfy the Township’s zoning regulations," answers "Possibly" to whether a building permit is needed before "starting construction or alteration work," and names a different firm for inspections than the Building Code Official the Township's Building, Construction & Zoning page lists. T W McCosby LLC's residential fees, linked from the Township's page, have no roofing line; its schedule names "Renovations (reroofing, alterations, changes of occupancy, redesigning spaces, remodeling, etc.)" only under commercial services. The Township's Uniform Construction Code ordinance is not published on the Township's website, and the Township's Ordinances page lists only recent ordinances, so that ordinance, and any permit or exemption section in it, was not read for this record. 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 no-permit line is the Township's stated practice; because the Township's construction code ordinance could not be read, this record does not decide whether the Township requires a permit for an ordinary reroof. The FAQ says "No payment is needed until you are notified to pick up the permit." The Municipal Building is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM; ask the Township at 724-658-4460 before work starts. Read for this answer: the Township's Building, Construction & Zoning page, its Building Codes: Frequently Asked Questions page, its Ordinances page and its zoning permit application; and T W McCosby LLC's Applications and Fee Schedule page, fee schedule and residential construction permit application.