City of Altoona, PA Building Construction

The code hereby adopted is amended and changed in the following respects:

Chapter 1, Administration.

Section 101.1, Title. This section is amended to read as follows:

101.1 Title: These regulations shall be known as the Building Code of the City of Altoona, hereinafter referred to as "this code."

(2)

Section 108.2, Suspension of permit. This section is amended to read as follows:

108.2 Suspension of permit: Any permit issued shall become invalid if the authorized work is not completed within six months after issuance of the permit, or if the authorized work is suspended or abandoned one month after the issuance of a permit.

108.3 Permit renewal: Permits are valid for a period of six months. If the permit holder requires an extension of time, a request for a permit renewal may be submitted via a permit renewal application. Approval is subject to the type of work being conducted and the amount of work remaining on the project. A permit renewal application fee must be paid and the permit renewal is valid for a period of six months.

(3)

Section 111.0, Conditions of permit. The following sections are hereby added to this section:

111.5 Compliance with workers' compensation legislation: All contractors applying for a permit will provide to the Building Code Official documentation of current workers' compensation insurance in the form of a certificate listing the City of Altoona as a certificate holder, or an affidavit stating that he or she is not required to provide same, and a legitimate reason why so.

111.6 Additional agency approval: No permit will be issued prior to the applicant receiving approval from appropriate City agencies deemed necessary by the Building Code Official.

111.7 Annual permits: Manufacturing facilities and institutions such as hospitals, schools and universities that regularly perform alterations on approved electrical and plumbing installations may apply for a single, annual electrical permit and/or annual plumbing permit that will allow these alterations to be made over a twelve-month period. The following conditions must be met for the Department to issue an annual permit:

Submission of one copy of the application for annual permit. A separate application is required for each covered building, structure or premises.

Payment of the applicable fee.

The owner or operator of the building, structure or premises where the alterations will take place must certify that the persons performing the work are normally employed at this site and are a master tradesperson licensed in the City of Altoona.

The permit holder must agree to maintain detailed records of all alterations made under the permit and to make these available upon request to the Department.

(4)

Section 112.3, New construction and alterations. This section adds the Fee Schedule for the City of Altoona, and also adds a new section as hereinbelow set forth:

112.3.1 Fee schedule: A fee for each plan examination, permit and inspection shall be established from time to time by resolution of City Council.

112.3.2 Work prior to permit: In the event work is commenced on any project prior to the issuance of an approved building permit, electrical permit, mechanical permit and/or plumbing permit, the fees for the acquisition of a permit will be doubled.

(5)

Section 116.4, Violation penalties. This section is amended to read as follows:

116.4 Violation penalties: Any person who shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who shall erect, construct, alter or repair a building or structure in violation of an approved plan or directive of the Code Official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be punishable in accordance with 53 P.S. § 39131.1 of the Third Class City Code.

(6)

Section 117.2, Unlawful continuance. This section shall read as follows:

117.2 Unlawful continuance: Any person who shall continue any work in or about the structure after having been served with a stop-work order, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be liable in accordance with the 53 P.S. § 39131.1 of the Third Class City Code.

(7)

Section 121.1, Application for appeal.

(a)

This section shall be amended to read as follows:

121.1 Application for appeal: Any person shall have the right to appeal a decision of the Code Official to the Board of Appeals, provided that a written application for appeal is filed within 10 days after the day the decision, notice or order was served. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equivalent form of construction is to be used.

(b)

The following subsection is added to this section:

121.1.1 Appeal fee: No appeal request will be accepted unless a fee established by City Council by separate resolution is deposited with the City of Altoona Inspections Department prior to said hearing.

Chapter 34, existing structures.

(1)

Section 3408.2, Applicability. This section shall read as follows:

3408.2 Applicability:

Structures existing prior to January 12, 1994, in which there is work involving additions, alterations or changes of occupancy, shall be made to conform to the requirements of this section or the provisions of Sections 3403.0 through 3407.0.

The provisions in Sections 3408.2.1 through 3408.2.5 shall apply to existing occupancies that will continue to be, or are proposed to be, in Use Groups A, B, E, F, M, R and S.

These provisions shall not apply to buildings with occupancies in Use Group H or I.