The following communication is from Pennsylvania’s current RAC Chair (and PENNBOC President) Walt Schneider regarding the adoption of the current family of codes:

2021 has been a challenging but exciting year with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Review & Advisory Council (RAC) completing the review of the 2018 International Code Council (ICC) family of codes for adoption in the Commonwealth.

With completion of the Independent Regulatory Commission (IRC) process, in accordance with the statutory requirements, on January 1, 2022, the accessibility provisions of the 2021 ICC family of codes will go into effect. This includes:

  • International Building Code, 2021 edition
        o Chapter 11 – Accessibility
        o Appendix E – Supplementary Accessibility Requirements
  • ICC A117.1-2017 Standard and Commentary
  • International Plumbing Code, 2021 edition
        o 403.4 – Signage
        o 403.5 – Drinking Fountain Locations
        o 404 – Accessible Plumbing Facilities
        o 405.3.1 – Water Closets, Urinals, Lavatories and Bidets
  • International Swimming Pool & Spa Code, 2021 edition
        o 307.1.4 – Accessibility
  • International Existing Building Code, 2021 edition
        o 306 – Accessibility
        o 1101.2 – Creation or Extension of Nonconformity
        o 1508 – Accessibility
        o Appendix B – Supplementary Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings & Facilities

On December 15, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) filed the final-omitted regulations, updating chapters 401 and 403 of the PA UCC with the IRC. We expect this to be included on the agenda for IRC’s public meeting scheduled for January 20, 2022. Barring any changes, we are on target for the 2018 ICC codes as amended by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to go into effect on February 14, 2022. Details of the adoption, including sections that were excluded, or amended can be found at https://www.dli.pa.gov/ucc/Documents/ICC-Code-Review-2018-Final-Report.pdf

Please remember that in accordance with Section 304 (c) Prior permits, contracts, and construction, of Act 45 of 1999 as amended, subsection (4):

“Where a design or construction contract was signed before the effective date of regulations for a subsequent Uniform Construction Code or International Fuel Gas Code issued under this act, the permit may be issued under the Uniform Construction Code or International Fuel Gas Code in effect at the time the design or construction contract was signed if the permit is applied for within six months of the effective date of the regulation or the period specified by a municipal ordinance, whichever is less.”

35 P.S. § 7210.304(c)(4)

Respectfully,
Walter G. M. Schneider III, Ph.D., P.E., CBO, MCP, CFO, MIFireE, FASCE
PA-UCC Review & Advisory Council Chair