PA Legislature Amends Universal Construction Code

On July 15, Governor Ed Rendell signed SB 1139 into law, changing some sections of the Universal Construction Code (UCC Act of 11/10/99), effective immediately.

The change most significant to OOR clients is exclusion of all residential alterations under section 104 if there are no structural or egress changes. Municipalities retain the option to require permits for this work.

OOR staff had been studying code enforcement regulations to prepare for the effect on homeowner and non-profit clients. On June 22, OOR staff met in Harrisburg with Senators Joseph Scarnati and Allen Kukovich and aides of Senators Robbins and Brightbill to inform them of negative impact on OOR services. Staff attending were Ray Thompson, OOR President; Gail Mull, VP-Programs and Operations; Site Managers Dana Christy, Dave Kyler and Tim Weimer.

Amendments to the act were approved in the PA House on 6/16/04. This bill was introduced by Representatives Robert Belfanti, Jr., Bob Allen, H. William DeWeese, Dan Surra, Thomas Tangretti, James Casorio and Michael Veon.

The Senate bill was introduced by Senators Joseph Scarnati, David Brightbill, Robert Robbins, Jeffrey Piccola, Jane Earll, Jake Corman, Richard Kasunic, Robert Wonderling, Terry Punt, Donald White, John Pippy, Mary White, John Wozniak, Gibson Armstrong, Noah Wenger, Allen Kukovich Robert Thompson, Charles Lemmond and John Gordner.

To read the bill, go to www.legis.state.pa.us. Click on Session Information; under Bill Information type in SB1139, click on Bill Number in the left column.

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