Chapter 5 - Code Enforcement

CHAPTER 5

CODE ENFORCEMENT

PART 1

UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE

§101. Title and Purpose

§102. Adoption of Codes

§103. Administration and Enforcement

§104. Board of Appeals

§105. Amendments, Deletions, Substitutions and Additions

 

PART 1

UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE

 

§101.  TITLE AND PURPOSE.

  1. This Part 1 shall be known as the “Building Code of Hampden Township” and may be cited as such.

  2. The purpose of this part is to provide standards for the protection of life, health, property and the environment and for the safety and welfare of the general public and the owners and occupants of buildings in accordance with those standards promulgated by the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. §§7210.101-7210-1103, as amended from time to time, and its regulations.

 

§102.   ADOPTION OF CODES.

  1. Hampden Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. §§7210.101-7210-1103, as amended from time to time, and its regulations.

  2. The Uniform Construction Code contained in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405 as amended and supplemented from time to time is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference herein as the Building Code (“Code”) of Hampden Township.

 

§103.   ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT.

  1. Administration and enforcement of the Building Code of Hampden Township shall be undertaken as follows:

    1. By the Board of Commissioners designating the Hampden Township Director of Community Development, the Assistant Director of Community Development and/or the Director of Codes Enforcement to act on behalf of Hampden Township;

    2. By the Township Manager designating in writing any Hampden Township employee or employees to act on behalf of Hampden Township; and

    3. By the Board of Commissioners retaining one or more construction code officials or third-party agencies to act on behalf of Hampden Township.
       
  2. Fees assessable by Hampden Township for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to the Code shall be established by the Board of Commissioners by resolution from time to time.

 

§104.   BOARD OF APPEALS.

  1. A Board of Appeals shall be established by resolution of the Board of Commissioners in conformity with the requirements of the relevant provisions of the Code, as amended from time to time, and for the purposes set forth therein.

 

§105.   AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS.

  1. Pursuant to UCC Section 403.102(I), the following regulations are hereby enacted to facilitate municipal administration and enforcement of the UCC, including insertion of local climatic and geographic information.Such regulations shall be effective upon promulgation of the 2009 Codes by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (the “Department”).Such regulations shall remain in effect and be applicable to all future codes adopted triennially by the Department with the specific provisions being automatically incorporated into any successor or amended sections of such codes to which they apply.

    1. The text of the 2009 International Building Code, adopted as a referenced standard by the UCC, is hereby amended as follows:

      1. Section 1612.3 is amended to insert “Hampden Township” and “March 16, 2009.”

      2. Section 1809.5 shall be deleted and replaced with the following text” 1809.5 Frost Protection.Extending below the frost line of the Township of Hampden which shall extend a minimum of 32 inches in depth, measured from the bottom of the footing to the surface.”

      3. Section 3412.2 shall be amended by inserting “March 11, 1957” as the date that building codes first became effective in Hampden Township
         
    2. The text of the 2009 International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings, adopted as a referenced standard by the UCC, is hereby revised as follows:

      1. Section 101.1, Title, is amended to insert “Hampden Township.
         
      2. Sections 103.1, 103.2 and 103.3 are deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following: 

        103.1 Enforcement Agency.  The Hampden Township Building Department shall be charged with the task of administering and enforcing this Code.  The executive in charge thereof shall be known as the “Building Official.”  The Board of Commissioners shall appoint the Building Official and his deputies. 

      3. Table R301.2(1) is amended to insert the appropriate climatic and geographic design criteria, as follows:

        Ground Snow Load:  25 psf

        Wind Speed:  90 mph

        Topographic Effects:  No

        Seismic Design Category:  B

        Weathering:  Severe

        Frost Line Depth:  32 inches

        Termite:  Moderate to Heavy

        Winter Design Temperature:  11°f

        Ice Barrier Underlayment:  Yes

        Flood Hazards:  1984/2009

        Air Freezing Index:  1500

        Mean Annual Temperature:  50°f

         

      4. Section P2603.6.1 shall be deleted and replaced with the following:

        P2603.6.1  Sewer Depth.  Building sewers shall be a minimum of 18 inches below grade.

    3. The text of the 2009 International Plumbing Code, adopted as a referenced standard by the UCC is hereby amended as follows:

      1. Section 101.1, Title, is amended to insert “Hampden Township.” 

      2. Sections 103.1, 103.2 and 103.3 shall be deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:

        Enforcement Agency.  The Hampden Township Building Department shall be charged with the task of administering and enforcing this Code.  The executive official in charge thereof shall be known as the “Building Official.”  The Board of Commissioners shall appoint the Building Official and his deputies.

      3. Section 106.6.2 shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

        106.6.2 Fee schedule.  The fees for all plumbing work shall be indicated on a fee schedule adopted by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.

      4. Section 108.4, Violation penalties, shall be amended by inserting “summary offense”; “1000” and “30 days” in the appropriate spaces.

      5. Section 108.5, Stop work orders, shall be amended as follows: “…condition, shall be liable to pay a fine of not more than $1000.”

      6. Section 305.6.1 shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

        305.6.1 Sewer depth.  Building sewers shall be a minimum of 18 inches below grade.

      7. Section 904.1 shall be amended by inserting “12” as the number of inches that a vent pipe must extend beyond a roof through which it penetrates.
         
    4. The text of the 2009 International Mechanical Code, adopted as a referenced standard by the UCC, is hereby amended as follows:

      1. Section 101.1, Title, shall be amended by inserting “Hampden Township” in the relevant space.

      2. Sections 103.1, 103.2 and 103.3 shall be deleted in their entirety and replaced with the following:

        103.1 Enforcement agency.  The Hampden Township Building Department shall be charged with the task of administering and enforcing this Code.  The executive official in charge thereof shall be known as the “Building Official.”  The Board of Commissioners shall appoint the Building Official and his deputies.

      3. Section 108.4, Violation penalties, shall be amended by inserting “summary offense”; “1000” and “30 days” in the appropriate spaces.

      4. Section 108.5, Stop work orders, shall be amended as follows:“…condition, shall be liable to pay a fine of not more than $1000.”
         
    5. The text of the 2009 International Fire Code is adopted only to the extent referenced in the 2009 International Building Code and by Act 45 of 1999 as amended.

    6. The text of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, adopted as a referenced standard by the UCC, is hereby amended as follows:

      1. Section 101.1, Title, shall be amended by inserting “Hampden Township” in the relevant space.
         
      2. Section 108.4 shall be amended as follows:“shall be liable to a fine of not more than $1000.
         
    7. The text of the 2009 International Existing Building Code, adopted as a referenced standard by the UCC, is hereby amended as follows:

      1. Section 101.1, Title, shall be amended by inserting “Hampden Township” in the relevant space.
         
      2. Section 1301.2 is amended by inserting “March 11, 1957” as the date that building codes first became effective in Hampden Township.

    8. The text of the 2009 International Fuel Gas Code, adopted as a referenced standard by the UCC, is hereby amended as follows:

      1. Section 101.1, Title, shall be amended by inserting “Hampden Township” in the relevant space.

      2. Section 103 shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 

        103.1 Enforcement agency.  The Hampden Township Building Department shall be charged with the task of administering and enforcing this Code.  The executive official in charge thereof shall be known as the “Building Official.”  The Board of Commissioners shall appoint the Building Official and his deputies.

      3. Section 108.4, Violation penalties, shall be amended by inserting “summary offense”; “1000” and “30 days” in the appropriate spaces.

      4. Section 108.5, Stop work orders, shall be amended as follows:“…condition, shall be liable to pay a fine of not more than $1000.”
         
    9. The text of the 2009 International Urban-Wildland Interface Code, adopted as a referenced standard by the UCC, is hereby amended as follows:

      1. Section 101.1, Title, shall be amended by inserting “Hampden Township” in the relevant space.
         
      2. Section 103.1 shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: 

        103.1 Enforcement agency.  The Hampden Township Building Department shall be charged with the task of administering and enforcing this Code.  The executive official in charge thereof shall be known as the “Building Official.”  The Board of Commissioners shall appoint the Building Official and his deputies.

      3. Section 109.4.7, Violation penalties, shall be amended by inserting “summary offense”; “1000” and “30 days” in the appropriate spaces.
         
      4. Section 114.4 shall be amended as follows:“…condition, shall be liable to pay a fine of not more than $1000.”
         
    10. The text of the 2009 International Code Council Performance Code , adopted as a referenced standard by the UCC is hereby amended as follows:

      1. Add the following new section after Section 101.1, Purpose: Section 101.1 Title.These regulations shall be known as the “Performance Code of Hampden Township,” hereinafter referred to as “this Code.”

 (Ord. 96-4, 4/30/1996, §1; as amended by Ord. 00-10, 8/31/2000, §1; Ord. 06-12, 12/05/2006, §1); Ord. 10-03, 01/28/2010, §1; Ord. 14-02, 01/30/2014; and Ord. 2018-05, 03/29/2018 §103) 

 

PART 2

INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE

THIS PART DELETED BY ORDINANCE NO. 06-12

ADOPTED DECEMBER 5, 2006

PART 3

INTERNATIONAL PLUMBING CODE

THIS PART DELETED BY ORDINANCE NO. 06-12

ADOPTED DECEMBER 5, 2006

 

PART 4

FIRE CODE

THIS PART AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NO. 14-02

ADOPTED JANUARY, 30, 2014