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UCC Codes 

The UCC Administration and Enforcement regulation has adopted the following codes for use throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, effective 10/1/2018.

International Building Code 2018 (code for all buildings and structures not regulated by the International Residential Code:

  • Chapter 1 is not adopted (most of its requirements are incorporated in Chapter 403 of the UCC regulation)
  • Chapter 27 (Electrical) requires that all electrical components, equipment and systems in buildings and structures covered by the IBC comply with the requirements of NFPA 70-2017, National Electric Code.

Chapter 11, International Building Code 2021 Accessibility Requirements

On October 26, 2022, the Commonwealth Court issued an opinion in Pennsylvania Builders Association v. Department of Labor and Industry, which permanently enjoined enforcement of the 2021 accessibility updates to the Uniform Construction Code. As such, effective immediately, you must cease all enforcement of the 2021 accessibility standards. Since the 2018 accessibility standards were in effect before December 25, 2021 and were unchallenged, all structures must still comply with the 2018 accessibility requirements.

Please be advised that the Court’s decision does not affect enforcement of the non-accessibility requirements of the Uniform Construction Code.

International Energy Conservation Code 2018

International Existing Building Code 2018

International Fire Code 2018

  • Adopted only to the extent referenced in Chapter 35 of the International Building Code 2018.

International Fuel Gas Code 2018

  • Any LPG requirements are superseded by the requirements of Pennsylvania’s Propane and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act (and regulations). The department fully expects building code officials to permit, inspect, and regulate as needed all aspects of LPG appliances and related tubing inside structures in the same manner as any other appliance such as natural gas or electric as required by municipality or political subdivision ordinance. To further clarify, any appliance, heater, generator, etc. which would normally require a permit or inspection from a BCO does not become exempt simply because the fuel source is LPG.

International Mechanical Code 2018

International Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities 2018 (provides alternative compliance approach)

International Plumbing Code 2018

International Residential Code 2018 (code for one- and two-family dwellings no more than 3 stories in height)

International Wildland-Urban Interface Code 2018 (supplementary requirements that may be used to mitigate fire- and life-safety hazards in unique wildland areas)

Important Note:

Many of these codes have various code sections amended by the UCC Review and Advisory Council (RAC). This information was published on February 14, 2022, in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and became effective the same date. Access to these changes is provided by the link below. This information will also be posted on our website in the near future.

Pennsylvania Bulletin (pacodeandbulletin.gov)

Accessing the International Codes

The codes as published by the International Code Council are copyrighted and can be purchased from the ICC, either online at: www.iccsafe.org, or by calling the ICC publication office at 1-800-786-4452.  The ICC also made copies of its codes accessible online, at no charge.  You can access these online. Please note that this free service is very limited in terms of access (i.e., you will only be able to view one code section/subsection at a time, not whole pages) and search and print capabilities. If you want full access and features, you will either need to pay for full electronic access or purchase the desired code book(s).

Note carefully the following remarks regarding these codes.

The International Private Sewage Disposal Code 2018, the International Property Maintenance Code 2018 and the International Zoning Code 2018 are not adopted. However, in addition to the codes listed above, municipalities that elect to enforce the UCC may also adopt and enforce the International Property Maintenance Code (or any other property maintenance requirements). Enforcement of these requirements falls outside the scope of the UCC.

The Department has made several changes to the codes listed above. These relate to fire safety requirements in child day care facilities and the technical standards that apply to elevators and other lifting devices. See section 403.23 and Chapter 405 of the UCC for further details on these changes.

Act 13 of 2004 stipulates that the following stairway tread and riser requirements will apply in all buildings that fall within the scope of the International Residential Code, in all occupancies in Use Group R-3 and within dwelling units in occupancies in Use Group R-2: The maximum stairway riser height shall be 8 ¼ inches (210 mm), the minimum tread depth shall be 9 inches (229 mm); and, a 1-inch (25 mm) nosing must be provided on stairways with solid risers.

The UCC regulations provide for the use of an alternative to Chapter 11 of the International Residential Code (or Chapter 4 (RE) of the International Energy Conservation Code), to demonstrate compliance with the energy conservation requirements of the UCC. This alternative compliance path, which can be obtained by clicking on the link below, was developed by the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center at Penn State University and is entitled "Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Provisions" .

Pennsylvania Alternative 2009 (if complying with the 2009 International Codes)

Pennsylvania Alternative 2018 (if complying with the 2015 International Codes)

Pennsylvania Alternative 2021 (if complying with the 2018 International Codes)

(Revised 04/12/2022)