When there are practical difficulties involved in carrying out
structural or mechanical provisions of the basic code or of an approved
rule, the Building Code Official may vary or modify such provisions
upon application of the owner or his or her representative, provided
that the spirit and intent of the law shall be observed and public
welfare and safety be assured.
The code hereby adopted shall be enforced by the Inspector who
is responsible to the Director of the City of Altoona Inspections
Department.
The code hereby adopted is amended and changed in the following
respects:
A. Chapter
1, Administration.
(1) 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:
1. Submission
of one copy of the application for annual permit. A separate application
is required for each covered building, structure or premises.
2. Payment
of the applicable fee.
3. 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.
4. 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.
B. 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.