Roofing in White Deer 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, White Deer Township in Union County sends building permits to the Central Keystone Council of Governments: the Township's home page, under "White Deer Township Building and Zoning Permits," says "Please contact Central Keystone Council of Governments at 570-522-1326," and the COG's FAQ lists "ALL Union County Municipalities" among the areas where it enforces building codes. The COG's office is at 1610 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 400A, Lewisburg. Part 1 of Chapter 5 of the Township Code (Ordinance No. 2, adopted June 22, 2004) elects to administer and enforce the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act and says "The Uniform Construction Code (hereinafter the Code), set forth in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted as the Township Building Code"; it names no roof work either way, and Chapter 4, Buildings, is reserved. Neither the Township's pages nor its Chapter 5 name a code edition.

No White Deer Township text read for this record names roof covering work as building permit work or as exempt. Part 1 of Chapter 5 of the Township Code (Ordinance No. 2, adopted June 22, 2004) elects to administer and enforce the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act and says "The Uniform Construction Code (hereinafter the Code), set forth in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted as the Township Building Code"; it names no roof work either way, and Chapter 4, Buildings, is reserved. Section 1203(2)(b) of the Township's zoning ordinance says "Zoning Permits shall not be required for the following activities unless they are proposed within a floodplain district," including "General exterior maintenance and repair to existing buildings or structures; including siding, roofing, painting, the addition or replacement of storm windows, and similar activities"; that section speaks to the zoning permit and says nothing of the building permit. The COG's Residential Building Permits page lists among work for which "UCC Building Permits are required" the item "Any roof repair/replacement of framing when attached to the house" and says "If you are unsure whether or not you need a Building Permit or additional approvals, contact us first and we will let you know." That page does not name White Deer Township, and its residential fee page has no roofing line; it says "Permit fees for repairs, alterations, and most additions, including pools and decks, are based on the number of inspections that will be required and are set at the discretion of the Building Code Official." Neither the Township's pages nor the COG's pages say whether a reroof that leaves the framing alone needs a building permit. 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 COG's Residential Building Permits page also says "Even if your project does not require a Building Permit, it may require approval from your Municipality. Always contact your Township or Borough Office before starting any project." The Central Keystone COG is at 570-522-1326, and the Township building, 2191 Creek Road, New Columbia, is at 570-568-8643. Read for this record: Chapter 5 of the Township Code, Code Enforcement, in full, and Chapter 4, Buildings; Part 12, Administration, of the Township's zoning ordinance; the Township's home and General Ordinances pages; and the Central Keystone COG's Residential Building Permits, Residential Building Permit Fees, FAQ and Union County member pages.