[HISTORY: Adopted by the Municipal Council of the Municipality
of Norristown 5-22-2013 by Ord. No. 13-09.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Blighted Property Removal Committee — See Ch. 8.
Housing Code Review Committee — See Ch. 33.
Building permits and floodplain management — See Ch. 120.
Boarding and enclosing of buildings — See Ch. 122.
Landmark buildings — See Ch. 125.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 159.
Numbering of houses and property — See Ch. 198.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 239.
Building contractors — See Ch. 251.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 282.
Zoning — See Ch. 320.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch.
132, Construction Codes, Uniform, adopted 11-8-2006 by Ord. No. 06-14.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Municipality
of Norristown Building Code" and/or the "Pennsylvania Uniform Construction
Code."
In accordance with Section 501(a)(1) of the Pennsylvania Construction
Code Act, Act 45 of 1999,[1] the Municipality of Norristown hereby elects to administer
and enforce the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), as amended, as its
municipal building code, and the International Fuel Gas Code for purposes
described in Act 45.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 7210.501.
This adoption shall include all relative codes specifically
provided for under said Act 45 to include, but not be limited to,
the International Building Code, the International Residential Code,
the International Fire Code and all other referenced codes. As provided
for under Section 304 of Act 45, all subsequent editions or successor
codes are hereby adopted. Upon adoption by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
of successor codes, those codes and the appendices corresponding to
those listed are hereby adopted.
Administration and enforcement of the UCC within the Municipality
shall be undertaken in any of the following ways as determined by
resolution of Municipal Council from time to time:
A.
By the designation of an employee of the Municipality to serve as
the municipal code official to act on behalf of the Municipality.
B.
By the retention of one or more Construction Code Officials or third-party
agencies to act on behalf of the Municipality.
C.
By agreement with one or more other municipalities for the joint
administration and enforcement of Act 45 and the UCC through an intermunicipal
agreement.
D.
By entering into a contract with another municipality for the administration
and enforcement of Act 45 and the UCC on behalf of the Municipality.
E.
By entering into an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of
Labor and Industry for plan review, inspections and enforcement of
structures other than one-family or two-family dwelling units and
utility and miscellaneous use structures.
A.
Pursuant to and in accordance with State Act 92, Section 104(b)(5)
and (6), the Municipality will require permits for residential alterations
and repairs.
B.
Pursuant to and in accordance with State Act 92, Section 104(6)(3),
the Municipality will require zoning permits for all utility and miscellaneous
use structures. Utility and miscellaneous use structures in excess
of 200 square feet will require construction permits.
C.
All building code ordinances or portions of ordinances which were
adopted by the Municipality on or before July 1, 1999, and which equal
or exceed the requirements of the UCC shall continue in full force
and effect until such time as the provisions fail to equal or exceed
the minimum requirements of the UCC as amended from time to time.
D.
All building code ordinances or portions of ordinances which were
in effect as of the effective date of this chapter, and whose requirements
are less than the minimum requirements of the UCC are hereby amended
to conform with the comparable provisions of the UCC.
E.
All relevant ordinances, regulations and policies of the Municipality
not governed by the UCC shall remain in full force and effect.
F.
Section 403.1(b)(3) of the UCC is amended by replacing reference
to "1,000 square feet" with "200 square feet."
G.
Section 403.42(c)(1)(v) of the UCC is amended to read as follows:
(v) Sidewalks located entirely outside of the right-of-way and
driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and that are not located
over a basement or story below it and which are not part of an accessible
route.
H.
Section 403.62(c)(4) of the UCC is amended to read as follows:
(4) Sidewalks located entirely outside the right-of-way and
driveways that are 30 inches or less above adjacent grade and not
placed over a basement or story below it.
I.
Section 403.62(c) of the UCC is amended to add a new subsection (10)
as follows:
(10) Window replacement without structural change.
J.
Section 403.63(h) of the UCC is amended to read as follows:
(h) The permit holder shall keep a copy of the construction
permit on the work site until the completion of the construction.
Additionally, a copy of the permit shall be posted conspicuously on
the building or structure.
A Board of Appeals shall be established by resolution of the
Municipal Council in conformity with the requirements of the relevant
provisions of the UCC, 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, the Board
of Appeals shall be established by joint action of the participating
municipalities.
Fees assessable by the Municipality for the administration and
enforcement undertaken pursuant to this chapter and the UCC shall
be established by resolution of the Municipal Council, and may be
amended by resolution of same from time to time.
