Roofing in Straban 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, Straban Township's Township Officers page lists its Building Code Official as "Barry Isett & Associates, Inc." and says "The Building Code Official issues Building Permits in compliance with the Uniform Construction Code." Applications are filed with the Township at 1745 Granite Station Road, Gettysburg, and the Township's residential building procedure says "Building code inspections will be handled directly with Barry Isett & Associates, Inc." Chapter 56 of the Township Code (Ord. No. 2012-01, adopted May 7, 2012) elects to administer and enforce the Act and says "The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time, and in all other relevant regulations ("the code") is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the building code for Straban Township." It adds no permit requirement of its own for residential repairs or alterations and names no roof work. No Township page names a code edition.

Straban Township's code and pages read for this record do not say whether a house reroof needs a permit. Chapter 56 of the Township Code (Ord. No. 2012-01, adopted May 7, 2012) elects to administer and enforce the Act and says "The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time, and in all other relevant regulations ("the code") is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the building code for Straban Township." It adds no permit requirement of its own for residential repairs or alterations and names no roof work. The fee schedule of Barry Isett & Associates posted on the Township's forms page lists, among residential projects, "Roof Replacement (Non-structural) *If permitted by municipality" at $125.00 and "Roof Replacement (Structural, Replacing Sheathing)" at $200.00, so its non-structural line applies only where the municipality has made that work permit work. The Township's own fee resolution (Resolution 2026-06) prices the building permit by reference to that firm's schedule and has no roofing line, and the Township's Frequently Asked Questions page says "Permits are required for, but not limited to the following: Residential and Commercial Construction, Signs, Sewage, Wells, Swimming Pool Construction, Garages, Storage Sheds, Covered Porches, Decks, Outbuildings, Driveways, Peddlers" and "If you are contemplating any new project and are unsure of the requirements or whether a permit is required, please contact the Township Office." No Township page names roof replacement either as permit work or as exempt. 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 does not state whether the Township requires a permit for a house reroof; ask the Township office (717-334-4833) before starting. The residential building procedure says inspections are scheduled with Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. at 717-839-6202, and that the contractor's certificate of insurance must name Straban Township as certificate holder. The Township office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and closed Fridays. Read for this answer: Chapter 56 of the Township Code, Construction Codes, Uniform (Sections 56-1 to 56-7), in full; a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" (19 results) and for "reroofing" (none); the Township's forms, Frequently Asked Questions and Township Officers pages; its residential building procedure; the Uniform Construction Code permit application; the land use permit application; Resolution 2026-06, the Township fee schedule; and the 2026 consultant fee schedules posted with it.