Roofing in Washington, 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, The City of Washington elects to administer and enforce the code itself (Section 130-43 of the City Code, Ord. No. 1730 of 2004) and adopts the Uniform Construction Code as its municipal building code (Section 130-44). The City's Licenses, Permits & Fees page posts the residential UCC building permit application of Municipal Consulting Services, LLC, which is filed with the City of Washington at 55 West Maiden Street and paid to the City; the City's posted UCC fee schedules carry the web address of another firm, Harshman CE Group, and this record does not decide which firm inspects for the City. Chapter 130 changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions. Article V of Chapter 130 names the 2009 International Residential Code, Article VII adopts the Uniform Construction Code "as amended from time to time," and the City's pages and the posted application name no edition; this record has not read the 2009 edition's text and does not decide which edition the City applies.

The City of Washington's Code Enforcement FAQ says installing a roof on a house requires a City Maintenance/Improvement Permit, a local permit separate from a UCC building permit. The City's Code Enforcement FAQ (read October 7, 2026) answers "Do I need a permit to install a new roof?" with "Yes, installing a roof on a residential property requires a Maintenance/Improvement Permit. Installing a roof on a commercial property requires a full building permit." Its Licenses, Permits & Fees page says "Zoning Permits are also required for the following: shingle replacement, siding replacement, window and door replacement when not changing the size and structure of the opening. $75.00 FEE," and the City's 2026 fee schedule lists a "Residential Maintenance & Improvement Permit" at $60.00. The Municipal Consulting Services, LLC application posted on the same City page says "A UCC Permit is not required for the following items: (A zoning permit will still be required by the City of Washington)" and lists "Roofing surfaces (shingles/metal surfaces. NOT sheathing or truss work)." So the permit the City's pages name for a house reroof that leaves the sheathing and trusses alone is the City's own, not a UCC building permit; work on sheathing or trusses is outside that line. Section 130-35 of the City Code (Ord. No. 1817, April 9, 2009, which adopts the 2009 International Residential and Building Codes) says "any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure ... shall first make application to the Building Officials and obtain the required permits," and Section 130-36 says "Work exempt from permits shall be stipulated within said code under Section R105.2 of the 2009 IRC and Section 105.2 of the 2009 IBC"; this record has not read that 2009 text. Section 350-79B of the zoning chapter says "Zoning permits shall be secured prior to commencing a use or starting any construction, erection or alteration of any building, structure, sign or portion thereof." None of these sections names roof work. 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 decide whether a UCC building permit is needed for a house reroof here. In practice, expect the City to require its Maintenance/Improvement Permit, and by its permits page a $75 zoning permit, before a house is reroofed, whatever the answer on a UCC building permit; the City pages read for this record state no penalty for roof work done without one. City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at 724-223-4200. Read for this answer: Chapter 130 of the City Code, Construction Codes, Articles II, IV, V and VII in full; Section 350-79 of the zoning chapter; every page of a search of the whole City Code for "roof" and for "reroofing"; the City's Licenses, Permits & Fees, Code Enforcement FAQ and Codes and Ordinances pages; the City's 2026 fee schedule and its 2026 UCC fee schedule; the Municipal Consulting Services, LLC residential application; and the City's zoning permit application.