Roofing in White Oak, 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 Oak Borough administers the code through CEA Code Enforcement Agency: the Borough's Contacts page lists "Building Inspector - CEA Code Enforcement Agency," and the Borough's 2026 Residential Building Application, a "PA UCC Building Permit Application" on Borough letterhead, says the owner "must submit to CEA Code Enforcement Agency, a list of all known Contractors and Sub-Contractors." Applications go to the Borough at the White Oak Borough Municipal Building, 2280 Lincoln Way, White Oak. The Borough's codified ordinances, which its Ordinances page says "have been moved to a new online resource," could not be opened for this record, so the Borough's Uniform Construction Code ordinance, any permit or exemption section in it, and any older building ordinance it keeps in force were not read. The Borough's residential application points applicants to CEA Code Enforcement Agency's guidelines, and the agency's 2026 Residential Building Permit Application guideline is headed "Helpful Guideline – 2021 nternational Residential Code (IRC)" "For Projects Submitted in 2026"; the Borough's codified text was not read for an edition.

White Oak Borough charges for its own roof permit, separate from a UCC building permit. The Borough's 2023 Fee Schedule, the one posted on its Permits page (read October 9, 2026), lists under "CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FEES FOR PROJECTS EXEMPT FROM THE PA UCC" the line "Roof repairs & replacement for residential structures only * $75.00," with the note "*Structural changes, extensions or additions require the issuance of a PA UCC building permit" and "** All commercial roof projects require a building permit." Under "CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FEES FOR PA UCC REGULATED PROJECTS" it says those fees "are based on the current CEA (Code Enforcement Agency) fee schedule." So expect to need the Borough's own roof permit for a house reroof, and a PA UCC building permit as well where the work makes structural changes. The Borough's Permits page also posts the Department of Community and Economic Development's "Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Homeowner's Guide," which lists "Roof covering (shingle) replacement*" among "Examples of residential construction that does NOT require a permit" and says "Construction activity designated with an asterisk (*) may be amended by a local municipality to provide regulation and require a permit." The Borough's codified ordinances, which its Ordinances page says "have been moved to a new online resource," could not be opened for this record, so the Borough's Uniform Construction Code ordinance, any permit or exemption section in it, and any older building ordinance it keeps in force were not read. 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 an ordinary reroof. The fee schedule also lists a "Permit processing fee for residential projects $25.00." The Permits page says completed applications may be mailed, dropped off at the municipal building during regular business hours, or emailed as PDF attachments, that fees are due when the application is submitted, and that "incomplete applications and forms will be rejected and will not be processed." The Borough's residential application asks for the contractor's PA HIC number and proof of workers' compensation or a notarized waiver. The Borough Office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 412-672-9727 (Code Department, Ext. 231). Read for this answer: the Borough's Permits, Contacts and Ordinances pages and its home page; its 2023 Fee Schedule; its 2026 Residential Building Application and its Zoning Permit / Certificate Application; the Homeowner's Guide it posts; and CEA Code Enforcement Agency's home page and 2026 residential application guideline. The Borough's codified ordinances could not be read.