Township of West Bradford, PA Chapter 150 Construction Codes, Uniform

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of West Bradford as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

Article I Election to Administer Uniform Construction Code

[Adopted 5-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-04[1]]

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Ch. 150, Construction Codes, which consisted of Art. I, One- and Two-Family Dwellings, adopted 2-13-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-01; Art. II, Building Standards, adopted 3-10-1998 by Ord. No. 1998-04; Art. III, Local Enforcement of Uniform Construction Code, adopted 3-23-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-02; Art. IV, Residential Buildings; Miscellaneous Structures, adopted 2-8-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-01; Art. V, Fire Prevention Standards, adopted 6-13-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-05. This ordinance also changed the title of the chapter from "Construction Codes" to "Construction Codes, Uniform."

§ 150-1 Township to administer and enforce.

West Bradford Township hereby elects to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. §§ 7210.101 through 7210.1103, as amended from time to time, and its regulations (the "Code").

§ 150-2 UCC adopted by reference.

The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 through 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the Municipal Building Code of West Bradford Township.

§ 150-3 Administration and enforcement.

Administration and enforcement of the code within West Bradford Township shall be undertaken in any of the following ways as determined by the governing body of West Bradford Township from time to time by resolution:

A. By the designation of an employee of West Bradford Township to serve as the Municipal Code Official to act on behalf of West Bradford Township;

B. By the retention of one or more Construction Code officials or third-party agencies to act on behalf of West Bradford Township;

C. By agreement with one or more other municipalities for the joint administration and enforcement of this Act through an intermunicipal agreement;

D. By entering into a contract with another municipality for the administration and enforcement of the Act on behalf of West Bradford Township;

E. Entering into an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for plan review, inspections and enforcement of the Act in connection with structures other than one-family or two-family dwelling units and utility and miscellaneous use structures.

§ 150-4 Board of Appeals establishment.

West Bradford Township has designated the Western Chester County UCC Regional Board of Appeals as the Board of Appeals for the Township who shall hear appeals from decisions of the municipal code official which are filed pursuant the Township's Building Code. Such an appeal shall be filed within 20 days after the decision, notice or order was served. The appeal form, and all documents related to same, are readily available at Township offices, and may also be posted on the Township's website. Changes to the designated Board of Appeals may be made by resolution of the governing body of West Bradford Township 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.

§ 150-5 Saved provisions.

A. The following section of the One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code known as the "Council of American Building Officials One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code," 1995 Edition which was adopted in Ordinance No. 1996-1 when the Township adopted the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, shall remain in effect and provide as follows:

"309.2 Separation required. The garage shall be completely separated from the residence and its attic by means of a minimum one-hour fire-resistant assembly. Fire-resistant assemblies shall be tested and installed in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E 119 or GA-600 or the Underwriters Laboratory Fire Resistance Directory."

B. All Building Code ordinances or portions of ordinances which were in effect as of the date of adoption of Ord. No. 1996-1 and whose requirements are less than the minimum requirements of the code are hereby amended to conform with the comparable provisions of the code.

C. All relevant ordinances, regulations and policies of West Bradford Township not governed by the code shall remain in full force and effect.

§ 150-6 Fees.

Fees assessable by West Bradford Township for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this chapter and the code shall be established by the governing body by resolution from time to time.