Dependable Construction Code Services - Quality Inspections & Reviews

Building Permits: Do I need one? 

The purpose of requiring a Building Permit is to verify code compliance in construction through the use of established code standards that exist for safety reasons. Below you will find information and guidelines to assist you with completing a Residential Building/Zoning Permit Application. Please contact Dependable Construction Code Services at 717-759-5906 or email at Info@dccsinspectors.com if you have additional questions concerning the completion of the application. We can assist you thorough the permit process. Not sure if a permit is required, give us a call for an office meeting or onsite meeting.

The projects most likely to require a permit are those that change the structure or use of a building or have the potential to create unsafe working conditions.

For example, you will likely need a building permit to:

- Adding or removing structural walls

- Adding additional living space (such as by converting a garage to a living room)

- Changing plumbing for different type adding other fixtures to plumbing system

- Changing of plumbing and mechanical equipment with different types

- Demolish a portion of the house.

- Any structural changes

- Decks over 30”

- Stair replacement

- Any pool that holds 24” or more of water.

Projects that don't usually need a permit include:

- Repainting your house

- Adding kitchen cabinets

- Replacing kitchen appliances

- Replacing fixtures

- Installing floor coverings

- Anything cosmetic (painting, siding etc.)

- Agricultural Buildings - Agricultural buildings are defined under Section 7210.103 of the PA UCC Agriculture affidavit needs to be on file.

- Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress. 

- Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- or two-family dwellings.

- Window replacement without structural change

- Manufactured and industrialized housing (mobile homes and modular homes). The UCC only exempts the work done at the factory. All work performed on-site must be inspected and be code compliant. Therefore, although the housing itself does not need a permit, the installation of the housing unit does.

- Future changes of a building could require inspections. Homeowner has the right to request inspections for anything that is exempt from the Pennsylvania Construction Code

Keep in mind: many provisions of the PA UCC are amendable by the local jurisdiction. It is important to check with the Township prior to the start of construction to confirm that the work is exempt.

The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (PA UCC) under Sections 403.1, 403.42, and 403.62 provide a number of specific exemptions.

(a) An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a residential building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit under § 403.62a (relating to permit application).

(b) An emergency repair or replacement of equipment may be made without first applying for a permit if a permit application is submitted to the building code official within 3 business days of the repair or replacement.

(c) 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:

(1) Fences that are no more than 6 feet high.

(2) Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the lowest level of grade to the top of the wall unless the wall supports a surcharge.

(3) Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.

(4) Sidewalks and driveways that are 30 inches or less above adjacent grade and not placed over a basement or story below it.

(5) Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.

(6) Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling.

(7) Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not 'project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.

(8) Installation of an uncovered deck where the floor of the deck is no more than 30 inches above grade.

(9) Installation or rearrangement of communications wiring.

(d) An ordinary repair does not require a permit. The following are not ordinary repairs:

(1) Cutting away a load-bearing wall, partition, or portion of a wall.

(2) The removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support.

(3) The removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements.

(4) The addition to, or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical.

(e) A permit is not required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation, transmission, distribution, metering or other related equipment under the ownership and control of public service agencies. Call our office directly.

Section 7210.103 of the PA UCC as; "A structure utilized to store farm implements, hay, feed, grain or other agricultural or horticultural products or to house poultry, livestock or other farm animals, a milk house and a structure used to grow mushrooms. The term includes a carriage house owned and used by members of a recognized religious sect for the purposes of housing horses and storing buggies. The term shall not include habitable space or spaces in which agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged and shall not be construed to mean a place of occupancy by the general public.” Horse barns for private use are considered agricultural, and horse barns for commercial stables, and equestrian training facilities are not considered agricultural.

Keep in mind: In addition to the requirement of a zoning permit, many of the projects listed above may also require a building permit in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, and sometimes building permits may be required when a zoning permit is not, such as for changes to plumbing or electrical work. 

Building Permits: Do I need one? 

The purpose of requiring a Building Permit is to verify code compliance in construction through the use of established code standards that exist for safety reasons. Below you will find information and guidelines to assist you with completing a Residential Building/Zoning Permit Application. Please contact Dependable Construction Code Services at 717-759-5906 or email at Info@dccsinspectors.com if you have additional questions concerning the completion of the application. We can assist you thorough the permit process. Not sure if a permit is required, give us a call for an office meeting or onsite meeting.

The projects most likely to require a permit are those that change the structure or use of a building or have the potential to create unsafe working conditions.

For example, you will likely need a building permit to:

- Adding or removing structural walls

- Adding additional living space (such as by converting a garage to a living room)

- Changing plumbing for different type adding other fixtures to plumbing system

- Changing of plumbing and mechanical equipment with different types

- Demolish a portion of the house.

- Any structural changes

- Decks over 30”

- Stair replacement

- Any pool that holds 24” or more of water.

Projects that don't usually need a permit include:

- Repainting your house

- Adding kitchen cabinets

- Replacing kitchen appliances

- Replacing fixtures

- Installing floor coverings

- Anything cosmetic (painting, siding etc.)

- Agricultural Buildings - Agricultural buildings are defined under Section 7210.103 of the PA UCC Agriculture affidavit needs to be on file.

- Alterations to residential buildings which do not make structural changes or changes to means of egress. 

- Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- or two-family dwellings.

- Window replacement without structural change

- Manufactured and industrialized housing (mobile homes and modular homes). The UCC only exempts the work done at the factory. All work performed on-site must be inspected and be code compliant. Therefore, although the housing itself does not need a permit, the installation of the housing unit does.

- Future changes of a building could require inspections. Homeowner has the right to request inspections for anything that is exempt from the Pennsylvania Construction Code

Keep in mind: many provisions of the PA UCC are amendable by the local jurisdiction. It is important to check with the Township prior to the start of construction to confirm that the work is exempt.

The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (PA UCC) under Sections 403.1, 403.42, and 403.62 provide a number of specific exemptions.

§ 403.62. Permit requirements and exemptions.

(a) An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a residential building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit under § 403.62a (relating to permit application).

(b) An emergency repair or replacement of equipment may be made without first applying for a permit if a permit application is submitted to the building code official within 3 business days of the repair or replacement.

(c) 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:

(1) Fences that are no more than 6 feet high.

(2) Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the lowest level of grade to the top of the wall unless the wall supports a surcharge.

(3) Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.

(4) Sidewalks and driveways that are 30 inches or less above adjacent grade and not placed over a basement or story below it.

(5) Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.

(6) Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling.

(7) Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not 'project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.

(8) Installation of an uncovered deck where the floor of the deck is no more than 30 inches above grade.

(9) Installation or rearrangement of communications wiring.

(d) An ordinary repair does not require a permit. The following are not ordinary repairs:

(1) Cutting away a load-bearing wall, partition, or portion of a wall.

(2) The removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support.

(3) The removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements.

(4) The addition to, or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical.

(e) A permit is not required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation, transmission, distribution, metering or other related equipment under the ownership and control of public service agencies. Call our office directly.

Section 7210.103 of the PA UCC as; "A structure utilized to store farm implements, hay, feed, grain or other agricultural or horticultural products or to house poultry, livestock or other farm animals, a milk house and a structure used to grow mushrooms. The term includes a carriage house owned and used by members of a recognized religious sect for the purposes of housing horses and storing buggies. The term shall not include habitable space or spaces in which agricultural products are processed, treated or packaged and shall not be construed to mean a place of occupancy by the general public.” Horse barns for private use are considered agricultural, and horse barns for commercial stables, and equestrian training facilities are not considered agricultural.

Keep in mind: In addition to the requirement of a zoning permit, many of the projects listed above may also require a building permit in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, and sometimes building permits may be required when a zoning permit is not, such as for changes to plumbing or electrical work.