Roofing in Wright 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, Wright Township takes permit applications at its Township Office, 321 S Mountain Blvd, Mountain Top. Section 61-21 of the Township Code says "Wright Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act," and the Township's Zoning page says "Zoning and Building Inspection services are provided by: Barry Isett & Assoc." of Hazleton. Section 61-21B adopts the Uniform Construction Code in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 to 405, "as amended from time to time," "as the Municipal Building Code of Wright Township"; Sections 61-1 to 61-20 are reserved, and Chapter 61 has no permit or exemption section of its own and names no roof work. The Township pages read for this record name no code edition.

Wright Township's code and pages do not say whether a house reroof needs a permit. Section 61-21B adopts the Uniform Construction Code in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 to 405, "as amended from time to time," "as the Municipal Building Code of Wright Township"; Sections 61-1 to 61-20 are reserved, and Chapter 61 has no permit or exemption section of its own and names no roof work. The Township's Zoning page says "The township has adopted the PA UCC construction codes building standards," links a UCC building permit application, and says "Work is NOT to commence prior to permit issuance"; it does not say whether a reroof needs a permit. The UCC permit application's Proposed Construction boxes are New Building, Addition, Alteration, Deck and trade work, with no roofing box. The Residential Building/General Permit Fee Schedule codified as Section A149-3 of the Township Code (amended by Res. No. 2023-36) lists, under "Miscellaneous Construction," "Cell towers, retaining walls, roofs, signs, ramps, etc." at "2% of total cost of construction (materials and labor)" with a $125.00 minimum. That line names roofs together with other structures and does not say whether it reaches the replacement of a house roof covering. 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 state whether a permit is required for a house reroof in Wright Township. Ask the Township Zoning Office, available by appointment at 570-474-9067 ext. 212, before work starts. The Zoning page says forms may be picked up and dropped off with the Zoning Secretary in the Township Office, that the permitting process typically takes 7 to 14 days, and that payment for approved permits is by exact cash or check made payable to Wright Township. The Township Office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Read for this answer: Chapter 61 of the Township Code, Building Construction and Floodplain Management, in full; Section A149-3 of the Township Code's fee appendix; Chapter 62, Property Maintenance Code; every page of a search of the whole Township Code for "roof" (no result is a permit provision for roof work) and for "reroofing" and "shingles" (no results); the Township's Zoning and Code pages; and the Township's UCC permit application.