§ 403.42a. Permit application.
(a) Applications for a permit required under § 403.42 (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, including plans and specifications, and information concerning special inspection and structural observation programs, Department of Transportation highway access permits, all other permits or approvals related to the construction required under § 403.102(n) (relating to municipalities electing to enforce the Uniform Construction Code) and other data required by the building code official with the permit application. The applicant shall submit three sets of documents when the Department conducts the review.
(c) A licensed architect or licensed professional engineer shall prepare the construction documents under the Architects Licensure Law (63 P. S. § § 34.1—34.22), or the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law (63 P. S. § § 148—158.2). An unlicensed person may prepare design documents for the remodeling or alteration of a building if there is no compensation and the remodeling or alteration does not relate to additions to the building or changes to the building’s structure or means of egress.
(d) A building code official may require submission of additional construction documents in special circumstances.
(e) The permit applicant shall submit construction documents in a format approved by the building code official. Construction documents shall be clear, indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed, and show in detail that the work will conform to the Uniform Construction Code.
(f) All of the following fire egress and occupancy requirements apply to construction documents:
(1) The permit applicant shall submit construction documents that show in sufficient detail the location, construction, size and character of all portions of the means of egress in compliance with the Uniform Construction Code.
(2) The construction documents for occupancies other than Groups R-2 and R-3 shall contain designation of the number of occupants to be accommodated on every floor and in all rooms and spaces.
(3) The permit applicant shall submit shop drawings for a fire protection system that indicates conformance with the Uniform Construction Code in accordance with the following:
(i) The shop drawings shall be approved by the building code official before the start of the system installation.
(ii) The shop drawings must contain the information required by the referenced installation standards contained in Chapter 9 of the ‘‘International Building Code of 2018.’’
(g) Construction documents shall contain the following information related to the exterior wall envelope:
(1) Description of the exterior wall envelope indicating compliance with the Uniform Construction Code.
(2) Flashing details.
(3) Details relating to intersections with dissimilar materials, corners, end details, control joints, intersections at roof, eaves, or parapets, means of drainage, water-resistive membrane and details around openings.
(h) Construction documents shall contain a site plan that is drawn to scale. The building code official may waive or modify the following site plan requirements if the permit application is for an alteration or repair or if waiver or modification is warranted. Site plan requirements include all of the following:
(1) The size and location of new construction and existing structures on the site.
(2) Accurate boundary lines.
(3) Distances from lot lines.
(4) The established street grades and the proposed finished grades.
(5) 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.
(6) Location of parking spaces, accessible routes, public transportation stops and other required accessibility features.
(i) A permit applicant shall submit certifications required in the ‘‘International Building Code of 2018’’ for construction in a flood hazard area to the building code official.
(j) A permit applicant shall identify, on the application, the name and address of the licensed architect or engineer in responsible charge. The permit applicant shall notify the building code official in writing if another licensed architect or engineer assumes responsible charge.
(k) The permit applicant shall describe an inspection program, identify a person or firm who will perform special inspections and structural observations if section 1704 and 1705 of the ‘‘International Building Code of 2018’’ requires special inspections or structural observations for the construction.
(l) A building code official may waive or modify the submission of construction documents, that are not required to be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer, or other data if the nature of the work applied for does not require review of construction documents or other data to obtain compliance with the Uniform Construction Code. The building code official may not waive the submission of site plans that relate to accessibility requirements.
(m) An applicant for an annual permit under § 403.42(f) shall complete an application and provide information regarding the system that may be altered and the date that approval was previously provided for the approved electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing installation.
(n) A permit applicant shall comply with the permit, certification or licensure requirements of the following laws applicable to the construction:
(1) The Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law (35 P. S. § § 1331.1—1331.19).
(2) The Propane and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act (35 P. S. § § 1329.1—1329.19).
(3) The Health Care Facilities Act.
(4) The Older Adult Daily Living Centers Licensing Act (62 P. S. § § 1511.1—1511.22).
Authority The provisions of this § 403.42a amended under section 304(a)(1) and (2) of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (35 P.S. § 7210.304(a)(1) and (2)).
Source The provisions of this § 403.42a amended December 24, 2009, effective December 31, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 7196; amended September 29, 2018, effective October 1, 2018, 48 Pa.B. 6261; amended February 11, 2022, effective February 14, 2022, 52 Pa.B. 971. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (393787) to (393789).
Cross References This section cited in 34 Pa. Code § 403.41 (relating to commercial construction); 34 Pa. Code § 403.42 (relating to permit requirements and exemptions); and 34 Pa. Code § 403.102 (relating to municipalities electing to enforce the Uniform Construction Code).
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