Building & Construction

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Tredyffrin Township enforces the following building codes, as required by the PA Uniform Construction Code:

• International Building Code 2006, Chapters 2-29 and 31-35
• International Residential Code 2006
• International Plumbing Code 2006
• International Mechanical Code 2006
• International Fire Code 2006
• International Fuel Gas Code 2006
• International Energy Conservation Code 2006
• International Electric Code 2006
• International Existing Building Code 2006
• International Wildland-Urban Interface Code 2006

Copies of the codes are available for review at the Tredyffrin Township Building and the Tredyffin and Paoli libraries. For more information, go to the PA Department of Labor and Industry.

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.

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

1. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finishing work.
2. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.
3. Prefabricated pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
4. 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.
5. Window replacement without structural change.
6. Replacement of existing roof material that does not exceed 25% of the total roof area performed within any 12-month period.
7. Replacement of existing siding.
8. Repair or replacement or any part of a porch or stoop which does not structurally support a roof located above the porch or stoop.
9. Installation or addition of roll or batt insulation.
10. Replacement of exterior rain water gutters and leaders.
11. Installation of an uncovered deck where the floor of the deck is no more than 30 inches above grade.
12. 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).
13. Replacement of installed, electrically operated doorbells, communication systems and any motor operated device.
14. Replacement of minor parts that does not make equipment unsafe.
15. Portable heating, ventilation or cooling equipment.
16. Stopping leaks in pipes.
17. 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.

Applications for relief from decisions of the Zoning Officer or from variances from the requirements in The Zoning Ordinance are handled by The Zoning Hearing Board.

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.

Use and Occupancy Applications should be submitted to The Township prior to the final inspection for building permits.

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

Contact Information: permits@tredyffrin.org, (610) 408-3615

BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATIONS:

• Building Permit Application(4 page(s), 135 KB)
• Building Permit Application Instructions(5 page(s), 120 KB)
• Building Permit Fee Analysis(1 page, 82.5 KB)
• Contractor Registration Application(1 page, 23 KB)
• Electrical Permit Application(1 page, 101 KB)
• Contractor Workers' Comp. Exemption Form(1 page, 30 KB)
• Fee Schedule (4 pages, 132 KB)
  
• Standard Electrical Load Calculation Worksheet (Commercial) (1 pages, 48 KB)
  
• Electrical Load Calculation Worksheet (Residential) (1 pages, 52 KB)