Roofing in Swatara 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, Swatara Township administers the code through its Building and Codes Department and a third-party agency: Section 128-53 of the Township Code says "The Township of Swatara hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and the department's page says "This Department is responsible for issuing building permits and zoning permits. Building plan reviews and construction inspections are conducted by Approved Code Services, Inc. as an exclusive third-party agency." Article VIII of Chapter 128 of the Township Code, its Uniform Construction Code ordinance (Sections 128-51 to 128-59), adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time" by reference, has no permit clause of its own for house repairs or alterations and names no roof work; its only added requirement, Section 128-59, narrows the State's exclusion for sheds and garages accessory to a house to those under 400 square feet. The department's pages, its permit application and Article VIII name no code edition.

Swatara Township's Building and Codes Department has published nothing read for this record that names roofing as permit work or as exempt. The department's Building & Codes page (read October 6, 2026) says "In general, building permits are required for all new construction, additions and alterations. Permits are generally not needed for routine maintenance and repair of buildings and replacement of existing equipment. Please contact our office if you are not sure if you need a building and/or a zoning permit." It does not name roof work, and this record does not decide whether a reroof is routine maintenance and repair in the department's sense. The Township's 2026 fees resolution (Resolution 2026-11, adopted March 11, 2026) charges a single "Building permit (includes new construction, alterations, additions, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy, etc.)" fee and has no roofing line, and the department's Building and/or Zoning Permit Application (revised March 13, 2026) lists work types from "New Dwelling" to "Time Extension" with no roofing box. Article VIII of Chapter 128 of the Township Code, its Uniform Construction Code ordinance (Sections 128-51 to 128-59), adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time" by reference, has no permit clause of its own for house repairs or alterations and names no roof work; its only added requirement, Section 128-59, narrows the State's exclusion for sheds and garages accessory to a house to those under 400 square feet. 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 therefore does not state whether the Township requires a permit for a reroof; the department asks anyone unsure to contact its office, at 717-564-2551, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Where a permit is needed, the application is filed with the department with plans, a site plan and the fee; the residential building permit costs "$9.00 per $1,000.00 of construction cost" with a $360.00 minimum, plus a $35.00 administrative fee and the $4.50 State fee, and "Permit fees double if work commences before a permit is obtained and fees paid." Read for this answer: Article VIII of Chapter 128 of the Township Code (Sections 128-51 to 128-59), in full; Chapter 147, Fees, as codified; a search of the whole Township Code for "roof," which found no permit provision naming roof work; the department's Building & Codes page; its 2026 fees resolution; and its Building and/or Zoning Permit Application.