Building & Construction

Tredyffrin Township enforces the following building codes:

International Building Code 2006
International Residential Code 2006
International Plumbing Code 2006
International Mechanical Code 2006
International Fire Code 2006
International Fuel Gas Code 2006
International Energy Code 2006
International Electric Code 2006
International Existing Building Code 2006
International Wildland Interface Code 2006

Copies of the codes are available for review at the Tredyffrin Township Building and the Tredyffin and Paoli libraries.

Work requiring a permit: Building permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system which this code regulates.

The Township's ordinance was amended to require a permit for all structures 100 square feet or greater. See the Building Construction Ordinance.

Ordinary repairs to structures do not require a building permit. Ordinary repairs include:

Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finishing work.
Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.
Prefabricated pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
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.
Window replacement without structural change.
Replacement of existing roof material that does not exceed 25% of the total roof area performed within any 12-month period.
Replacement of existing siding.
Repair or replacement or any part of a porch or stoop which does not structurally support a roof located above the porch or stoop.
Installation or addition of roll or batt insulation.
Replacement of exterior rain water gutters and leaders.
Installation of an uncovered deck where the floor of the deck is no more than 30 inches above grade.
Minor electrical repair and maintenance work such as the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles, or the replacement of a receptacle, switch or lighting fixture reated at 20 amps or less and operating at less than 150 volts with a like or similar item (does not include replacement of GFCI receptacles).
Replacement of installed, electrically operated doorbells, communication systems and any motor operated device.
Replacement of minor parts that does not make equipment unsafe.
Portable heating, ventilation or cooling equipment.
Stopping leaks in pipes.
Replacement of faucets, lavatories or sinks.

Ordinary repairs do not include:

the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof
the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load bearing support
the removal or change of any required means of egress or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting its exit way requirements
the addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping; electrical wiring; or mechanical.

Prior to applying for a building permit, all necessary subdivision, land development or site plan approval must be obtained. In addition, the proposed construction must comply with all applicable building codes, the stormwater management regulations in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and the Zoning Ordinance.

Use and Occupancy: All commercial uses of property and new construction of dwellings require occupancy permits that certify that the use complies with the Zoning Ordinance and fire prevention regulations. Also, all changes in the category of uses (e.g. from residential to commercial; or from a type of commercial use such as retail to another commercial use such as service) require submission of a site plan application for review and approval by the Planning Commission.

Historic Resources

The Township maintains a list of 31 historic properties that are protected by a historic districts ordinance. Under this ordinance, any work done to these properties that requires a building permit, is required to be reviewed by the Tredyffrin Township Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) and receive a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Board of Supervisors. The HARB reviews each property according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.

Go To Historic Architectural Review Board