Pennsylvania
Last updated on 2012-08-21
Current News
As of March 2011, several bills have been introduced, ranging from limited amendments to changes in the update process. One bill would complicate the process, making updates less likely. SB605 would move the code back to the 2006 code.
| Current Code | 2009 IECC |
| Amendments / Additional State Code Information | Pennsylvania's current code is the 2009 IECC with reference to ASHRAE 90.1-2007. |
| Approved Compliance Tools | Can use COMcheck |
| State Specific Research | Impacts of ASHRAE 90.1-2007 for Commercial Buildings in the State of Pennsylvania (BECP Report, Sept. 2009) |
| Approximate Energy Efficiency | Equivalent to 2009 IECC |
| Effective Date | 12/31/2009 |
| Adoption Date | 12/10/2009 |
| Code Enforcement | Mandatory |
| DOE Determination | ASHRAE 90.1-2007: No
ASHRAE 90.1-2010: No |
| Current Code | 2009 IECC |
| Amendments / Additional State Code Information | Pennsylvania's current residential code is the 2009 IECC, 2009 IRC, Chapter 11, and/or PA-Alt.
Adherence to Pennsylvania's Alternative Residential Energy Provisions 2009 is an acceptable means of demonstrating compliance with the energy conservation code requirements of the Uniform Construction Code. PA-ALT |
| Approved Compliance Tools | Can use REScheck |
| State Specific Research | Impacts of the 2009 IECC for Residential Buildings in the State of Pennsylvania (BECP Report, Sept. 2009) |
| Approximate Energy Efficiency | Equivalent to 2009 IRC |
| Effective Date | 12/31/2009 |
| Adoption Date | 12/11/2009 |
| Code Enforcement | Mandatory |
| DOE Determination | 2009 IECC: No
2012 IECC: No |
| Code Change Process | Regulatory |
| Code Change Cycle | Automatic Adoption |
| Timeline of Cycle | Every 3 years |
State Owned / Funded Buildings
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry is responsible for enforcement of energy code requirements (and all other building code requirements) in all State-owned buildings, no matter where they are located. State-funded buildings that are not owned by the State are approved for energy compliance by all municipalities that have elected to administer and enforce the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) or, where municipalities have elected not to enforce the UCC, by the Department (commercial construction) and certified third-party agencies (residential construction) hired by the residential property owner.
Adoption Process
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has the authority and responsibility to promulgate and upgrade commercial and residential energy standards, respectively, every three years, through the state's regulatory process. The code modification process does not involve public meetings, if the regulatory changes proposed only entail the adoption of the latest versions of the ICC International Codes.
Enforcement Process
Municipalities are intended to be the primary enforcement agents of energy and other building code requirements, but they are allowed to opt out of this responsibility.
As of January 1, 2011, 2,396 (94.5%) municipalities have elected to administer and enforce the UCC (are "opt-ins") and 166 (5.5%) have elected not to administer and enforce the UCC (are "opt-outs").
Opt-in municipalities may enforce the UCC in a variety of ways. They may employ their own code officials. They may retain one or more third-party agencies to enforce the UCC on their behalf. They may utilize an inter-municipal agreement that allows multiple municipalities to provide code enforcement services through a single agency. And, they may contract with a neighboring municipality to utilize its code enforcement officers.
In opt-out municipalities, the Department of Labor & Industry performs all commercial code enforcement; certified third-party agencies hired by individual property owners perform residential code enforcement.
Compliance Process
In addition to the compliance paths in the 2009 IECC, REScheck and COMcheck are acceptable methods of compliance. For residential buildings, use of the prescriptive Alternative Residential Energy Provisions published by the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center is allowed.
Background
The Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (Act 45 of 1999) established a State building code, the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), that must be complied with in all Pennsylvania jurisdictions.
The PA UCC first took effect on April 9, 2004 with the adoption and use of the ICC's International Codes 2003.
Effective December 31, 2006, the International Codes 2006 were adopted and enforced throughout Pennsylvania.
Effective December 31, 2009, the International Codes 2009 were adopted and enforced throughout Pennsylvania.
Currently, the UCC allows builders the choice between a number of compliance paths for residential construction. Builders may choose the 2009 IECC, the 2009 IRC (Chapter 11) or the 2009 Pennsylvania Alternative Residential Energy Provisions (PA-Alt). The PA-Alt is intended to be easier to use, an alternative to the 2006 IRC, and equivalent to the 2009 IECC. Previous versions of the PA-Alt were published in 2003 and 2006.
The next code changes will occur by December 31, 2012 (when the 2012 versions of the International Codes are adopted by regulation).