Uniform Construction Code
Uniform Construction Code
These pages provide information regarding Pennsylvania's statewide building code, generally known as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). Enforcement of the UCC began in April 2004.
Status of 2009 I-Codes Adoption: The Department's final-omitted regulatory package adopting the 2009 versions of the International Code Council’s family of codes was approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) on Dec. 10, 2009. The effective date of the regulation is Dec. 31, 2009. See “Codes and Standards Enforced Under the UCC” below for information about which version of the triennial codes applies to your construction project.
Administration and Enforcement of the UCC
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) that they have retained. In these municipalities, the Department has no code enforcement authority, except where the municipality lacks the services of a person certified as an "Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner."
If a municipality has "opted out," the Department is responsible for all commercial code enforcement in that municipality. The Department also has sole jurisdiction for all elevators and all state-owned buildings, no matter where they are located.
Certified third party agencies hired by property owners (or their contractors) enforce the residential requirements of the UCC in all opt-out municipalities. Detailed information about these agencies can be accessed by clicking on the link below entitled "Certified Third Party Agencies: Buildings" (found under "Code Official and Third Party Agency Info").
A listing of all of Pennsylvania's municipalities and their decisions regarding local enforcement of the UCC can be accessed below by clicking on the link entitled "Municipal Elections and Contact Information" (under the "Local Enforcement" header).
Codes and Standards Enforced Under the UCC
As noted above, the codes applicable to work for which a construction permit is sought on or after January 1, 2010 are the 2009 International Codes issued by the International Code Council (ICC). Only these codes as first published and their errata are applicable in Pennsylvania. For further information about the 2009 codes and standards adopted, click on the UCC Codes button.
Please note the following exceptions to the statement made above about the applicability of the 2009 ICC Codes:
If a design or construction contract for the proposed work was signed between April 9, 2004 and December 30, 2006, the 2003 International Codes must be complied with.
If a design or construction contract for proposed work was signed between December 31, 2006 and December 30, 2009, the 2006 International Codes must be complied with.
Revised UCC Regulations
Click on the UCC Regulations & Statutes button to access copies of the three chapters of the revised UCC Regulations that took effect on Dec. 31, 2009.
For more detailed on the Uniform Construction Code, click on the buttons on the left.
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