top of page
Construction work planning
White Brick Wall

PERMITS & INSPECTIONS

The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (PA UCC)

is Pennsylvania's statewide building code. Over 90% of Pennsylvania's 2,562 municipalities have elected to administer and enforce the UCC locally, using their own employees or via certified third party agencies (private code enforcement agencies such as United Code Consultants) that they have retained.

BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

Current Codes:

 

The UCC Administration and Enforcement regulation has adopted the following codes for use throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

​

  • International Building Code 2018 (code for all buildings and structures not regulated by the International Residential Code:

         - Chapter 1 is not adopted (most of its                          requirements are incorporated in                                Chapter 403 of the UCC regulation)

        - Chapter 27 (Electrical) requires that all                       electrical components, equipment and                       systems in buildings and structures                             covered by the IBC comply with the                           requirements of NFPA 70-2017, N.E.C.

​

  • Chapter 11, International Building Code 2018 Accessibility Requirements

​​

  • International Energy Conservation Code 2018

​​

  • International Existing Building Code 2018

​​

  • International Fire Code 2018

          - Adopted only to the extent referenced in                    Chapter 35 of the 2018 I.B.C.

​

  • International Fuel Gas Code 2018

​

  • International Mechanical Code 2018

​​

  • International Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities 2018 (provides alternative compliance approach)

​​

  • International Plumbing Code 2018

​​

  • International Residential Code 2018 (code for one- and two-family dwellings no more than 3 stories in height)

Building Permits, When are they required?  The Uniform Construction Code applies to the construction, alteration, repair, movement, equipment, removal, demolition, location, maintenance, occupancy or change of occupancy of every building or structure with the following exceptions: 

The Uniform Construction Code does not apply to (Building Permit NOT Required):  The following structures if the structure has a building area less than 1,000 square feet and is accessory to a detached one-family dwelling except as might be required by an ordinance.     

  1. Carports.

  2. Detached private garages.

  3. Greenhouses.

  4. Sheds. 

  • An agricultural building. 

  • Manufactured or industrialized housing shipped from the factory â€‹

  • Installation of tubing, piping, propane gas burning appliances, equipment or fixtures related to liquefied petroleum gas

  • ​Construction of individual sewage disposal systems​

  • Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress, except as required by ordinances. Under this subsection, a structural change does not include a minor framing change needed to replace existing windows or doors.​

  • Repairs to residential buildings, except as required by ordinances

  • ​Installation of aluminum or vinyl siding onto an existing residential or an existing commercial building, except as might be required by ordinances 

  • Structures which are:     

  1. Erected for the purpose of participation in a fair, flea market, arts and crafts festival or other public celebration.

  2.  Less than 1,600 square feet in size.     

  3. Erected for a period of less than 30 days.     

  4. Not a swimming pool, spa or hot tub. 

  • A pole barn that is constructed on agricultural fairgrounds and is only used for agricultural purposes and animal display.( If an exempted pole barn has electrical service, a permit and inspections to determine compliance with the electrical provisions of the Uniform Construction Code are required.)

bottom of page