Roofing in Westmont, 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, Westmont Borough administers the code through a third-party agency, Allsafe Building Code Services: the Borough's Codes and Zoning page says "Allsafe Buidling code services is the codes and zoning entity for Westmont Borough. Any building permit application needs to go to them, and they will issue the permit to the resident as applicable," and that applications "need to be returned to the Borough office along with the $25.00 application fee. We will then forward along to Allsafe, and they will issue the permit." Chapter 92 of the Borough Code (Ord. No. 777, June 8, 2004) adopts the Uniform Construction Code, "as amended from time to time," as "the municipal building code of the Borough of Westmont." Chapter 92 changes nothing in the code's roofing provisions, and the Borough's pages name no code edition.

Westmont Borough's FAQ lists reroofing among its examples of permit items without saying which permit. The Borough's own FAQ, answering "What are some examples of items that require a permit?", lists "Reroofing (shingles, metal, etc.…)" beside "Additions and Alterations to existing structures," and says "Permits must be obtained prior to construction, sales or required permitted activity." The Borough's Permits page says "Permits are required for, but not limited to, the following: new construction, additions and structural alterations, swimming pools, storage sheds, decks, garages, fences, signs, home occupations and front yard parking areas." The same FAQ list also names vendor sales, door to door solicitation, firework displays, moving and burning on property, and it does not say whether reroofing calls for a building permit issued by the agency or another Borough permit. Section 92-7 of the Borough Code amends the state permit exemptions to require permits for fences of any height, water tanks over 500 gallons, larger prefabricated pools and uncovered decks; it names no roof work, and a search of the whole Borough Code for "roof" and for "reroofing" found no permit provision on 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." The FAQ says "It is strongly recommended that if you are contemplating any improvements or alterations to your home or business, you should contact the Zoning office, Allsafe Building Code Services at 814-341-1330 to discuss your plans and determine what permits and approvals might be necessary." Applications go to the Borough office with the $25.00 application fee, and the Codes and Zoning page says "Any permit needs to be visible during the work." The Borough office is at 814-255-3865 and the agency at 814-341-1330. Chapter 95 of the Borough Code also requires contractors doing business in the Borough to register with it. Read for this record: Chapter 92 of the Borough Code, Construction Codes, Uniform, and Chapter 95, Contractors, in full; every page of a search of the whole Borough Code for "roof" and for "reroofing"; the Borough's Codes and Zoning, Permits and FAQ pages; and the agency's Building Permits page, which lists Westmont Borough among the municipalities whose permits it issues. No Borough fee schedule was found published.