Roofing in Summit Township (Butler 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, Summit Township in Butler County issues permits through a Permit Officer at the Township Municipal Building, 502 Bonniebrook Road, Butler, and its Permits page says for decks, porches, houses, attached garages and pools that "Municipal Code Association inspection and fees apply." The Township's site publishes no ordinance adopting the Uniform Construction Code, and none was read for this record. The Township's pages name no code edition.

No Summit Township text read for this record names roof work as permit work or as exempt from a permit. The Township's Permits page says "Most construction or remodeling projects - large or small - require a permit. A quick check with the Permit Officer at the municipal building can verify this and save you a possible headache in the future." Its list of common permits (car ports, decks and porches, houses, garages, sheds, swimming pools and driveways) has no roof 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 Permits page says "Permit fees are based upon Resolution 2022-12 adopted on May 4, 2022" and, for complete details, to contact the Township Zoning Officer at 724-285-1168; the Township office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Read for this record: the Township's Permits, Ordinances and Officials & Departments pages. The Township's Uniform Construction Code adoption ordinance and its permit fee resolution are not published on its site.