Tyrone Borough, Snyder Township and Antis Township are among thousands of municipalities in the state of Pennsylvania addressing the ramifications of the new Uniform Construction Code.
After years of revisions, the code was published in early January which started a 90-day time period in which municipalities have to review the new code.
After the review period, municipalities will have to decide to opt in or out of the code and pass ordinaces regarding it if they opt in. Some municipalities, such as Snyder Township, have already decided to opt in.
“We are going to opt in,” said Charlie Diehl, chairman of the Snyder Township Supervisors. “We expect to use third party contractors for this. Right now no ordinance has been passed since we still have time before we’re required to do it.”
Antis Township supervisors are holding a special public meeting on the issue today.
“I plan to recommend the supervisors should opt in,” said Antis Township Manager Jeff Bigler. “If they do agree to that, I’ll recommend we go one of two ways. One way would be using third party contractors and the other would be some type of intergovernmental agreement.”
So far, Tyrone Borough has not decided one way or another on the issue. Code Enforcement Officier Thomas Lang has already presented basic information on the issue to borough council at previous meetings and through an informational memo. He indicated the borough is expected to opt in but has not decided how it will carry out all aspects of the building code requirements.
Lang recently attended a meeting to discuss the possibility of adminstering a codes program with one or more municipalities through the utilization of an inter-muncipal agreement.
“I attended a meeting last week with officials from Antis Township, Logan Township, Hollidaysburg and Duncansville about the idea of forming a council of governments when it comes to the building code,” Lang told The Daily Herald. “A representative of the Centre County Council of Governments was on hand to discuss how these issues are handled in that county.
“There was also an official from the governor’s office which explained how we could receive funding,” said Lang. “However, we are still in the early stages and will meet again sometime next month.”
The Department of Labor and Industry has expressed hope that many municipalities with little construction activity will form a council of governments with other neighboring government bodies. One of the benefits of joining forces is it would allow the retention of local control and at the same time lower start-up costs of the program. Financial incentives are being offered to muncipalities which team up with others to offer building code services. Those participating will receive matching funds from the state for half of the start up costs and continued support for a two-year period.
Other options include the utilization of a municipality’s own employees similar to the way Tyrone Borough enforces construction codes issues now. A municipality can also contract with a third party agency as is expected with Snyder Township or contract with another municipality to provide the services. Municipalities will also have the option to enter into an agreement with the Department of Labor and Industry for structures other than one and two-family dwelling units.
Lang explained municipalities will be able to use the options in a variety of ways. For example, residential code work could be handled by a muncipality own employees while on the other hand it could contract out for all or part of non-residential plan approvals and inspections. Another option includes performing certain aspects of both residential and non-residential plan approvals and inspections while contracting out for others.
Municipalities which decide to opt out of the new code will leave residents having to hire third party contractors to complete inspections while the Department of Labor and Industry will be responsible for commercial code issues.
