Test Drive Our New Site! We have some improvements in the works that we're excited for you to experience. Click here to try our new, faster, mobile friendly beta site. We will be maintaining our current version of the site thru the end of 2024, so you can switch back as our improvements continue.
Legislation Quick Search
Advanced Search
Pennsylvania State Senate
09/09/2024 01:09 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20170&cosponId=20978
Share:
Home / Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Subscribe to PaLegis Notifications
NEW!

Subscribe to receive notifications of new Co-Sponsorship Memos circulated

By Member | By Date | Keyword Search


Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 1, 2016 03:57 PM
From: Senator Michele Brooks
To: All Senate members
Subject: Small Home Improvement Projects Exemption from the UCC
 
I am re-introducing legislation to amend the Pennsylvania Construction Code (Act 45 of 1999) by exempting several types of common home improvement projects. This legislation would assist homeowners in upgrading their homes by removing burdensome regulations and added costs on small improvement projects. The projects on homes that would be exempt from the UCC under this legislation are as follows:
  1. Decks that are no more than 30 inches above grade at any point which are attached or accessory to a residential building. Title 34 Chapter 403.62 of the PA Code excludes uncovered decks no greater than 30 inches from residential improvements that do not require a permit; however, there is a gray area with respect to application of this exemption and my legislation will put this exemption into statute.
  2. Accessory structures that are attached to a residential building with cover, an entrance way, and are no more than 1 story high and not more than 200 square feet. For example, small sun rooms, entrance way, mud room, etc.
  3. Patio covers as defined in 2009 IRC Appendix H or its successor requirement. This exemption would apply to patio covers no more than 12 feet high as described in Appendix H. Appendix H clearly describes patio covers that are only for outdoor living purposes and not as carports or habitable rooms. Thus, this exemption could not be abused to create additional enclosed habitable spaces in a home.

I am introducing this legislation in response to various complaints I have received from constituents regarding the over-regulation of relatively small home improvements by the building code.

This legislation was Senate Bill 436 of last session and co-sponsors were Senators Scarnati, Folmer, Vogel, Wagner, and White.



Introduced as SB372