[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Washington as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 4-29-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-4[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that
the provisions of this article, so far as they are the same as those
of ordinances and regulations in force immediately prior to the enactment
of this article, are intended as a continuation of such ordinances
and regulations and not as new enactments. The provisions of this
article shall not affect any act done or liability incurred, no shall
they affect any suit of prosecution pending or to be instituted to
enforce any repealed ordinances or regulations.
Washington Township, in order to administer
and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act,
Act 45 of 1999,[2] and pursuant to Section 501 of the Act, hereby adopts
the Uniform Construction Code contained in 34 PA Code, Chapters 401
through 405, as amended from time to time, which is incorporated herein
by reference as the building code of Washington Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: Resolution No. 2004-9 also
provided for the adoption of certain design criteria and appendices
of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings,
2003 Edition, International Existing Building Code, 2003 Edition,
International Fuel Gas Code, 2003 Edition, and International Plumbing
Code, 2003 Edition. A complete copy of this resolution is on file
in the Township offices.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. §7210.101
et seq.
Administration and enforcement of the code within
Washington Township shall be undertaken by the retention of one or
more building code officials or third-party agencies to act on behalf
of Washington Township.
A Board of Appeals shall be established by resolution
of the governing body of this municipality in conformity with the
requirements of the relevant provisions of the code, as amended from
time to time, and for the purposes set forth therein. If at any time
enforcement and administration is undertaken jointly with one or more
other municipalities, said Boards of Appeals shall be established
by joint action of the participating municipalities.
[Amended 6-28-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-05]
A.
All Building Code ordinances or portions of ordinances which were
adopted by the Township of Washington on or before July 1, 1999, and
which equal or exceed the requirements of the Uniform Construction
Code shall continue in full force and effect until such time as such
provisions fail to equal or exceed the minimum requirement of the
Uniform Construction Code, as amended from time to time.
B.
All relevant ordinances, regulations and policies of the Township
of Washington not governed by the Uniform Construction Code shall
remain in full force and effect.
C.
Climatic, geographic and inside/outside environmental standards for
the local area as required by the respective codes are to be established
by Washington Township through separate resolution.
Fees assessable by Washington Township for the
administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this chapter
and the code shall be established by Washington Township through resolution
from time to time.
[Added 3-24-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-1]
In addition to all types of construction, placement
of structures, repairs, and alterations for which the Uniform Construction
Code requires a permit, the Township, pursuant to the authorization
of Act 92 of 2004, shall require persons to obtain permits under the
Washington Township Construction Code for all of the following:
A.
The construction, erection, or placement of any accessory
structure which is equal to or greater than 200 square feet, whether
or not such accessory structure is connected to any utility.
B.
The construction, erection, or placement of any accessory
structure which is less than 200 square feet if such accessory structure
is provided with any utility service. The applicant shall obtain a
permit only for the purpose of inspection for the utility or utilities
being installed or provided to the accessory structure.
C.
All alterations or repairs to residential buildings
which are exempt from the UCC by Act 92 of 2004; provided, however,
that the following types of alterations and repairs shall continue
to be exempt and no permit will be required.
(1)
Replacement of windows and doors when there is no
change in the size of the existing opening.
(2)
Reroofing of less than 25% of the total existing roof
square footage.
(3)
Replacement of hot water heater, boiler, or furnace,
or the replacement of any part of a hot water heater, boiler, or furnace
with the same efficiency rating, electrical and plumbing requirements.
(4)
Addition or replacement of siding on the exterior
of the residential structure.
(5)
Repair or replacement of any nonstructural portion
of a deck, porch or stoop.
(6)
Replacement of an appliance switch or receptacle with
a switch or receptacle which is the same or has a like rating.
(7)
The addition of one appliance switch or receptacle.
(8)
The repair or replacement of any nonstructural member.
(9)
The repair or replacement of any sink, toilet, tub,
shower or similar plumbing fixture without relocation of any drain
or venting device.
Any person who fails to comply with the provisions
of this code or who fails to carry out an order made pursuant to this
code or who violates any condition attached to a permit, approval
or certificate shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a summary
offense punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000.
Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served
shall be deemed a separate offense.
[Adopted 4-29-2004 by Res. No. 2004-15]
It is the intent of the Board of Supervisors
of Washington Township that a fee be paid at the time of the filing
of the appeal with the Board of Appeals in the amount of $600. The
fees to be charged shall be used to cover the costs of the compensation
for the Secretary and members of the Board of Appeals, notice advertising
costs, and necessary administrative overhead connected with the hearing.
In addition, the fee shall be used to pay for 1/2 of the appearance
fee of the stenographer, if one is needed. The application fee paid
by a Board of Appeals applicant shall not include legal expenses of
the Board of Appeals, expenses for engineering, architectural or other
technical consultants or expert witness costs. These costs shall be
paid by the Township.
In the event that any initial fee paid at the
time of the filing of an appeal to the Board of Appeals of Washington
Township is not sufficient to cover the aforesaid expenses incurred
in the proceeding, the applicant shall be responsible for all additional
costs in excess of $600.
In the event that there is a balance in the
account of an applicant after all of the costs and expenses are set
forth, the remaining balance in the applicant's account shall be refunded
to the applicant.
