Roofing in Springfield Township (Bucks 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, Springfield Township issues building permits on its own "Building Permit Application," which authorizes "the Springfield Township Building Code Official(s)" to inspect "for compliance with the permit and the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code"; the Township's Contact and Directory page lists its "Building Code Official with Barry Isett & Associates" and its Zoning Officer, also of Barry Isett & Associates, at the Township office, 2320 Township Road, Quakertown. The Township's codified ordinances, which it publishes through American Legal Publishing, could not be opened for this record, so this record has not read the Township's ordinance adopting the Uniform Construction Code or any building-permit chapter.

The Township's FAQ page asks "Time for my roof to be replaced. Does a permit need to be obtained?" and answers "It depends on the scope of the work: Replacing Shingles Only: If you are only replacing the existing shingles, not permit is needed. Structural Repairs: If the replacement involves repairing or replacing plywood or any other structural components of the roof, then a building permit will be required." The Township's 2026 fee schedule (Resolution No. 2026-04) has no roofing line; its residential building fees include "Renovations or Alterations up to 500 square feet" and a "Roof mounted photovoltaic" line, and it says "If construction is started without first obtaining the required permit(s), the applicable Fees for review of the Permit Application will be TRIPLE the stated fee below." The Township's codified ordinances, which it publishes through American Legal Publishing, could not be opened for this record, so this record has not read the Township's ordinance adopting the Uniform Construction Code or any building-permit chapter. 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 Township's Permits page says "Generally, a Building Permit is required for any residential new construction, addition, or alteration," and its FAQ says "It's always best to contact the Springfield Township Zoning and Permits group directly to discuss your plans and confirm all required permits." The Township office, 2320 Township Road, Quakertown, open 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and by appointment on Friday, is at 610-346-6700. Read for this record: the Township's Permits, FAQ, Contact and Directory and Documents, Forms and Permits pages, its 2025 building permit application, its 2026 zoning permit application and its 2026 fee schedule.