Guide
Roof permits and historic districts
Who to ask about a permit for a roof replacement in Bethlehem and the neighboring towns, and what the city's historic and conservation districts expect. Each point links to its source; rules change, so confirm with the office for your address.
City of Bethlehem: the Bureau of Code Enforcement
Permits in the city come from the Bureau of Code Enforcement at City Hall, 10 East Church Street; building inspections are on (610) 865-7091 (city page). The city says that for almost any type of construction or remodeling a permit is required, and asks owners to check with the office before starting any work (Residential Construction).
Its building permit application lists reroofing among the work types it covers. Contractors need a current certificate of workers' compensation insurance (or a notarized affidavit if they have no employees) and a city Business/Mercantile License on file (permit application, contractor information).
Statewide, Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code leaves some residential work to local ordinance (34 Pa. Code § 403.1), which is why the answer differs from one municipality to the next.
Historic districts
Three districts, two boards
In these districts a Certificate of Appropriateness is required before a building permit is issued. The boards recommend; City Council grants or denies (city page).
Bethlehem Historic District
The central district north of the river. Its board is the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB).
South Bethlehem Historic Conservation District
The South Side business district. Its board is the Historic Conservation Commission (HCC).
Mount Airy Neighborhood District
On the West Side. Also under the Historic Conservation Commission.
What the boards look for on roofs
The HARB guidelines say its approval is triggered by the building permit application, which includes replacing roofs, and that some work needs HARB approval even without a permit. Work done without a matching certificate can face fines and removal (HARB design guidelines).
On roofing, the guidelines encourage regular maintenance and repair, and replacement when a roof is beyond repair that matches the original color, pattern, material and texture. They favor keeping chimneys, cornices and other decorative roof elements, half-round gutters, and ridge vents that run to the end of the ridge. They discourage adding skylights, solar collectors, roof decks or dormers where the public can see them.
The South Side guidelines take the same line and add that repairing individual slates is often cheaper than a whole new roof in a different material (HCC design guidelines). For any address in or near a district, the guidelines say to call the Bureau of Code Enforcement, (610) 865-7091, to find out whether the work needs a certificate.
Nearby
Permit offices in the neighboring towns
Easton
Bureau of Codes, City Hall, (610) 250-6724. Local historic district with its own commission (city page).
Bethlehem Township
Permit Department, (610) 814-6435. Its list names reroofing for commercial buildings only; ask about houses (township page).
Hellertown
Borough Code/Zoning Office. Roof replacements are listed as typically needing a permit (borough page).
Lower Saucon Township
Township office, (610) 865-3291. Roof replacement is listed as typically needing a zoning/building permit (township FAQ).
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