Roofing in Washington Township (Northampton 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, Washington Township's Planning and Zoning page says "We are now Opt-In. You must use the below company for building permits," names Lehigh Valley Inspection Service, 3306 Highland Rd., Orefield, and says "Lehigh Valley Inspection Service is the Township's BCO (Building Code Official)." Ordinance 306 (October 11, 2023) repeals the Township's 2007 opt-out ordinance, "ESTABLISHING THAT THE TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON EFFECTIVELY OPTS INTO ENFORCEMENT OF THE UCC," and recites that the Township "through resolution of the Board of Supervisors, has heretofore opted into enforcement of the said UCC"; the Township's 2004 adoption ordinance, Ordinance No. 230, which adopted "The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401-405, as amended from time to time," was repealed by Ordinance No. 259, and neither instrument names roof work.

The Township's 2026 fee schedule lists under "BUILDING PERMIT" the line "UCC Fee Schedule Attached (Exhibit "B")," and that exhibit, Lehigh Valley Inspection Service's 2026 fee schedule, lists under "RESIDENTIAL INSPECTION SERVICES" the line "ROOF REPLACEMENT: $200.00 - includes one visit $75.00 - each additional re-inspection" (read 2026-10-09 from the rendered page images of the scanned schedule); no resolution adopting that exhibit is published with it. The Township's Planning and Zoning page, read the same day, lists among "Examples of when you do NOT need a Building Permit" the item "Residential Roof replacements provided no structural work is involved." Ordinance 306 (October 11, 2023) repeals the Township's 2007 opt-out ordinance, "ESTABLISHING THAT THE TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON EFFECTIVELY OPTS INTO ENFORCEMENT OF THE UCC," and recites that the Township "through resolution of the Board of Supervisors, has heretofore opted into enforcement of the said UCC"; the Township's 2004 adoption ordinance, Ordinance No. 230, which adopted "The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401-405, as amended from time to time," was repealed by Ordinance No. 259, and neither instrument 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." Separately, the Township's Ordinance No. 256 requires a Township "Building Permit," issued by the Township Zoning Officer, before any building is altered, "in order to maintain accurate up to date property records," and says "The words "alteration or addition" shall not mean painting or normal regular maintenance repairs to a building." The Planning and Zoning page also says "If you have any questions or doubts as to whether a permit is needed for what you are doing, please call our office at 610-588-1524." Lehigh Valley Inspection Service is at 610-395-3827, and the Township office, 1021 Washington Blvd., Bangor, open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday, is at 610-588-1524. Read for this record: the Township's Planning and Zoning, General Information, Forms and Ordinances pages; its 2026 fee schedule with Exhibit B, in full; its residential building permit application and new home checklist; and Ordinances 230, 240, 249, 256, 259 and 306.