[Ord. 30-2004, passed 6-2-2004]
(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 Section 1503.42
(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 three business days of the repair
or replacement.
(c)
A permit is not required for the exceptions listed in Section
1503.11(b) (relating to scope) and the following construction if the
work does not violate a law or ordinance:
(1)
The following building construction, replacement or repairs:
A.
"Deleted".
B.
Retaining walls that are not over four feet in height measured
from the lowest level of grade to the top of the wall unless the wall
supports a surcharge.
C.
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 two to one.
D.
Sidewalks and driveways that are 30 inches or less above adjacent
grade and not placed over a basement or story below it.
E.
Exterior or interior painting, papering, tiling, carpeting,
flooring, cabinets, counter tops and similar finishing work.
F.
Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
G.
Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one or
two family dwelling.
H.
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.
I.
Replacement of glass in any window or door. The replacement
glass shall comply with the minimum requirements of the International
Residential Code.
J.
Installation and replacement of a window, door, garage door,
storm window and storm door in the same opening if the dimensions
or framing of the original opening are not altered. The installation
and means of egress and emergency escape windows may be made in the
same opening without altering the dimensions or framing of the original
opening if the required height, width or net clear opening of the
previous window or door assembly is not reduced.
K.
Replacement of existing roof material that does not exceed 25%
of the total roof area performed within any twelve-month period.
L.
Replacement of existing siding.
M.
Repair or replacement of any part of a porch or stoop which
does not structurally support a roof located above the porch or stoop.
N.
Installation of an additional roll or batt insulation.
O.
Replacement of exterior rain water gutters and leaders.
P.
Installation of an uncovered deck not over 100 square feet,
where the floor of the deck is no more than 30 inches above grade.
[Amended by Ord. 27-2019, passed 4-17-2019]
(2)
Minor electrical work for the following:
A.
Replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable
electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
B.
Replacement of a receptacle, switch or lighting fixture rated
at 20 amps or less and operating at less than 150 volts to ground
with a like or similar item. This shall not include replacement of
receptacles in locations where ground-fault circuit interrupter protection
is required.
C.
Replacement of installed electrically operated equipment such
as doorbells, communication systems and any motor operated device.
D.
Installation, alteration or rearrangement of communications
wiring.
E.
Replacement of dishwashers.
F.
Replacement of kitchen range hoods.
G.
Installation of battery-powered smoke detectors.
(3)
The following gas work:
(4)
The following mechanical work or equipment:
A.
A portable heating appliance.
B.
Portable ventilation appliances.
C.
Portable cooling units.
D.
Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling
equipment governed under the Uniform Construction Code.
E.
Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of
equipment or make the equipment unsafe.
F.
Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or
less of refrigerant or that are put into action by motors one horsepower.
G.
Portable evaporative cooler.
H.
A portable fuel cell appliance that is not connected to a fixed
piping system and is not interconnected to a power grid.
(5)
The following plumbing work:
A.
Replacement of bib valves if the replacement hose bib valves
are provided with an approved atmospheric vacuum breaker.
B.
Refinishing of existing fixtures.
C.
Replacement of ball cocks.
D.
Repair of leaks.
E.
Clearance of stoppages.
F.
Replacement of faucets or working parts of faucets.
G.
Replacement of valves other than shower or combination shower/bath
valves.
H.
Replacement of traps.
I.
Replacement of a water closet, lavatory or kitchen sink.
J.
Replacement of domestic clothes washers and dishwashers.
(6)
The following heating, ventilation and air conditioning work:
A.
Replacement of motors, pumps and fans of the same capacity.
B.
Repair of heating, supply and return piping and radiation elements
which do not require rearrangement of the piping system.
[Amended by Ord. 27-2019, passed 4-17-2019]
C.
Repair of duct work.
[Amended by Ord. 27-2019, passed 4-17-2019]
D.
Repair of air conditioning equipment and systems.
[Amended by Ord. 27-2019, passed 4-17-2019]
E.
Repair and replacement of control devices for heating and air
conditioning equipment.
F.
Replacement of kitchen range hoods.
G.
Replacement of clothes dryers if there is no change in fuel
type, location or electrical requirements.
H.
Replacement of stoves and ovens if there is no change in fuel
type, location or electrical characteristics.
(d)
An ordinary repair does not require a permit. The following
are not ordinary repairs:
(1)
Cutting away a 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, alteration of, replacement 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 that is, by established right, under the ownership and control of a public utility as defined in 66 Pa.C.S.A. § 102 (relating to the definition of public utility).
[Ord. 30-2004, passed 6-2-2004]
(a)
Applications for a permit required under Section 1503.41 (relating
to permit requirements and exemptions) shall be submitted to the Building
Code Official in accordance with this section.
(b)
A permit applicant shall submit an application to the Building
Code Official and attach construction documents with plans and specifications.
(c)
A Building Code Official may waive the submission of construction
documents if the nature of the construction does not require the review
of the construction documents to determine compliance with the Uniform
Construction Code.
(d)
A permit applicant for a building or structure located in a
flood hazard area under the National Flood Insurance Program shall
submit the following information with the construction documents:
(1)
Delineation of flood hazard areas, floodway boundaries and flood
zones and the design flood elevation, as appropriate.
(2)
The elevation of the proposed lowest floor including basement
and the height of the proposed lowest floor including basement above
the highest adjacent grade is to be included in the documents if the
building or structure is located in areas of shallow flooding (Zone
AO).
(3)
Design flood elevations contained on the municipality's
Flood Insurance Rate Map produced by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency. The Building Code Official and the applicant shall obtain
and reasonably utilize design flood elevation and floodway data available
from other sources if this information is not contained on the municipality's
Flood Insurance Rate Map.
(e)
The application shall contain a site plan showing the size and
location of the new construction and existing structures on the site
and the structures distance from lot lines. If the construction involves
demolition, the site plan shall indicate construction that is to be
demolished and the size and location of existing structures and construction
that will remain on the site or plot. A Building Code Official may
waive or modify the site plan requirement when the permit application
is for an alteration or a repair or if the waiver is warranted for
other reasons.
(f)
Insurance for demolition work.
(1)
No demolition permit shall be issued for the demolition of a
building or structure within the City unless a certificate or other
proof is submitted showing that public liability insurance in the
amount of $300,000 has been obtained by the applicant. The certificate
shall name the City as an additional insured at no cost to the City.
Demolition permits for the demolition of commercial structures shall
only be issued to demolition contractors.
(2)
Exemptions. The provisions set forth in Subsection (f)(1) hereof
shall not apply to the wrecking or demolition of any single family
residence or garage within the City, provided the demolition is done
entirely by the owner.
[Ord. 30-2004, passed 6-2-2004]
(a)
A Building Code Official shall grant or deny a permit application,
in whole or in part, within 15 business days of the filing date or
the application is deemed approved. Reasons for the denial shall be
in writing and sent to the permit applicant. The Building Code Official
and the applicant may agree in writing to extend the deadline by a
specific number of days.
(b)
A Building Code Official shall examine the construction documents
and shall determine whether the construction indicated and described
is in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code and other pertinent
laws or ordinances as part of the application process.
(c)
A Building Code Official shall stamp or place a notation on
each page of the set of reviewed construction documents that the documents
were reviewed and approved for Uniform Construction Code compliance
before the permit is issued. The Building Code Official shall clearly
mark any required nondesign changes on the construction documents.
The Building Code Official shall return a set of the construction
documents with this notation and any required changes to the applicant.
The applicant shall keep a copy of the construction documents at the
work site open to inspection by the construction code official or
an authorized representative.
(d)
A Building Code Official may not issue a permit for any property
requiring access to a highway under the Department of Transportation's
jurisdiction unless the permit contains notice that a highway occupancy
permit is required under Section 420 of the State Highway Law (36
P.S. § 670-420) before driveway access to a Commonwealth
highway is permitted.
(e)
A Building Code Official may issue a permit for the construction
of the foundations or other parts of a building or structure before
the construction documents for the whole building or structure are
submitted if the permit applicant previously filed adequate information
and detailed statements for the building or structure under the Uniform
Construction Code. Approval under this section is not assurance that
the Building Code Official will issue a permit for the entire building
or structure.
(f)
Issuance of a permit does not bar prosecution or other legal action for violations of the Act, the Uniform Construction Code, or a construction ordinance. A Building Code Official may suspend or revoke a permit issued under the Uniform Construction Code when the owner does not make the required changes directed by the Building Code Official under Subsection (c) hereof, when the permit is issued in error, on the basis of inaccurate or incomplete information or in violation of any act, regulation, ordinance or the Uniform Construction Code.
(g)
A permit becomes invalid unless the authorized construction
work begins within 180 days after the permit's issuance or if
the authorized construction work permit is suspended or abandoned
for 180 days after the work has commenced. A permit holder may submit
a written request for an extension of time to commence construction
for just cause. The Building Code Official may grant extensions of
time to commence construction in writing. A permit may be valid for
no more than five years from its issue date.
(h)
The permit holder shall keep a copy of the permit on the work
site until the completion of the construction.
(i)
A permit applicant may request extensions of time or variances
or appeal a Building Code Official's action on the permit application
to a Board of Appeals under Section 1503.62 (relating to appeals,
variances and extensions of time).
(j)
Work shall be installed in accordance with the approved construction
documents. The permit holder shall submit a revised set of construction
documents for approval for changes made during construction that are
not in accordance with the approved construction documents.
(k)
A permit is not valid until the required fees are collected
under Article 1502 (relating to City of Erie and third-party agency
fees).
[Ord. 30-2004, passed 6-2-2004]
(a)
A construction code official employed or under contract with
the City of Erie shall inspect all construction for which a permit
was issued. However, all inspections for Fire Code compliance and
permit issuance shall be conducted by Fire Inspectors as defined in
Article 1501 of this code. The permit holder shall insure that the
construction is accessible for inspection. An inspection does not
bar prosecution or other legal action for violation of the Uniform
Construction Code.
(b)
The permit holder or an authorized agent shall notify the construction
code official and Fire Inspector when work is ready for inspection
and provide access for the inspection.
(c)
The construction code official and Fire Inspector shall notify
a permit holder if construction complies with the Uniform Construction
Code or fails to comply with the Uniform Construction Code.
(d)
A construction code official shall make the following inspections
and file inspection reports relating to Uniform Construction Code
compliance in all of the following areas:
(e)
The construction code official may conduct other inspections
to ascertain compliance with the Uniform Construction Code or municipal
ordinances, except with regard to Fire Code inspections, which shall
be conducted by Fire Inspectors.
(f)
A construction code official shall conduct a final inspection
of the completed construction work and file a final inspection report
that indicates compliance with the Uniform Construction Code, except
that any final Fire Code inspections shall be conducted by Fire Inspectors.
[Ord. 30-2004, passed 6-2-2004]
(a)
A residential building may not be used or occupied without a
certificate of occupancy issued by a Building Code Official.
(b)
A Building Code Official shall issue a certificate of occupancy
after receipt of a final inspection report that indicates compliance
with the Uniform Construction Code within five business days. The
certificate of occupancy shall contain all of the following information:
(1)
The permit number and address of the residential building.
(2)
The name and address of the owner of the residential building.
(3)
A description of the portion of the residential building covered
by the occupancy permit.
(4)
A statement that the described portion of the residential building
was inspected for compliance with the Uniform Construction Code.
(5)
The name of the Building Code Official who issued the occupancy
permit.
(6)
The construction code edition applicable to the occupancy permit.
(7)
If an automatic sprinkler system is provided.
(8)
Any special stipulations and conditions relating to the building
permit.
(9)
Compliance with the City of Erie Zoning Ordinance.
(c)
A Building Code Official may issue a certificate of occupancy
for a portion of a residential building if the portion independently
meets the Uniform Construction Code.
(d)
A Building Code Official may suspend or revoke a certificate
of occupancy when the certificate was issued in error, on the basis
of incorrect information supplied by the permit applicant, or in violation
of the Uniform Construction Code. Before a certificate of occupancy
is revoked, a building owner may request a hearing before the Board
of Appeals in accordance with Section 1503.62 (relating to appeals,
variances and extensions of time).
(e)
A Fire Inspector shall be the only person who can issue permits
or compliance notices concerning fire inspections or the Fire Code.
(a)
A Building Code Official may authorize the temporary connection
of a building or system under construction to a utility source of
energy, fuel or power.
(b)
Connection to a public electric or gas utility for the completed
construction may not occur unless the permit holder provides written
proof to the utility company that the building or structure passed
inspections under this article.
