East Goshen has 9,073 homes, and half of them were standing by 1982. The rules below decide how much of the old roof has to come off and what goes under the new one.
New Roofing Costs connects homeowners with independent local roofing contractors. We do not perform roofing work.
This number connects homeowners who are planning a new roof or a full roof replacement with independent local roofing contractors. It is not for leak repairs or patch jobs. The call must come from the homeowner who decides on the roof. Calls may be recorded.
The rules for a reroof in East Goshen
Permit
East Goshen’s ordinance decides
The state code does not cover a reroof that changes no structure (34 Pa. Code § 403.1(b)(8)). Whether East Goshen wants a permit is in its own ordinance; ask the township code office before the old roof comes off.
On a roof that already carries two layers, or slate or tile, the code allows no recover: it is a tear-off (IRC R908.3.1.1). 46% of East Goshen’s homes were built before 1980, so count the layers before comparing quotes.
The code requires an ice barrier where the local climate table (Table R301.2) says so, and each Pennsylvania municipality fills that table in. The contractor or the township code office in East Goshen will know.
Of 8,603 occupied homes in East Goshen, 6,163 (72%) are owner-occupied. By year built, 9% before 1960, 46% before 1980; 16% went up in 2000 or later. (ACS 2020–2024.)
By building type: 42% detached houses, 25% attached single-family houses (rowhouses, twins and townhouses).
Of the 71 Chester County municipalities on this site, East Goshen has the 28th largest share of homes built before 1980: 46%, against a county range of 12% to 80%.
Median built: median year the homes were built. Before 1980: share of homes built then. Owners: share of homes that are owner-occupied. Row, twin: share of homes that are rowhouses, twins or townhouses. Census ACS 2020–2024. Hail days: days with hail of 1 inch or larger within 10 miles, 2006–2025, NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
Storm record around East Goshen
NOAA’s storm reports show 13 days since 2006 with hail of at least 1 inch inside a 10-mile circle around East Goshen, topping out at 2 in on August 10, 2008. The most recent was July 14, 2024.
Federal major-disaster declarations for storms in Chester County since 2006: 5, most recently DR-4618, Remnants of Hurricane Ida, declared September 2021. (OpenFEMA.)
HUD’s useful-life figures are for planning; a warranty is a separate promise. For East Goshen’s houses: More in the guides to shingles, metal, slate and flat roofs.
Material
HUD useful life
Fits a house like
Watch for
Asphalt shingles
20 years
Most pitched roofs; 42% of homes here are detached
Wind class set by the design wind speed (IRC Table R905.2.4.1)
Metal (standing seam, panels)
50 years
Low pitches and long runs
Standing seam that carries its own loads can skip the tear-off (R908.3.1)
Slate
75 years
Older and historic houses
Can’t be roofed over; check the framing for the weight
Flat roof: EPDM or TPO
15 years
Low-slope roofs and rear sections (25% of homes here are attached)
Coating is not a replacement
Checking a contractor in Pennsylvania
A contractor who does $5,000 or more of home improvement work a year must be registered with the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and the number has to be on every contract and estimate (HICPA § 3, § 6). Ask for it before anyone starts on a roof in East Goshen, and search it.
Is a permit required for a new roof in East Goshen, PA?
East Goshen’s ordinance decides. The state code does not cover a reroof that changes no structure (34 Pa. Code § 403.1(b)(8)). Whether East Goshen wants a permit is in its own ordinance; ask the township code office before the old roof comes off.
Do the old shingles have to come off in East Goshen?
On a roof that already carries two layers, or slate or tile, the code allows no recover: it is a tear-off (IRC R908.3.1.1). 46% of East Goshen’s homes were built before 1980, so count the layers before comparing quotes.
How old are the houses in East Goshen?
By the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2020–2024), the median home in East Goshen was built in 1982, 46% of homes were built before 1980, 72% are owner-occupied.
Does East Goshen get hail that damages roofs?
Hail of 1 inch or larger was reported on 13 days within 10 miles of East Goshen from 2006 through 2025 (NOAA Storm Prediction Center). A report means hail fell nearby, not that a roof was damaged.
How do I check a roofing contractor in East Goshen?
A contractor who does $5,000 or more of home improvement work a year must be registered with the Pennsylvania Attorney General, and the number has to be on every contract and estimate (HICPA § 3, § 6). Ask for it before anyone starts on a roof in East Goshen, and search it.
What they will ask on the phone
Your address or ZIP code in East Goshen
The number of stories, and whether the house stands alone
What covers the roof now and about when it went on
How many layers are on it, if you know
That the job is a full replacement or a new roof, and your timing
Any historic-district or HOA rules on the house in East Goshen