Housing (Building Codes)

This Senate Resolution directs the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council to study whether Pennsylvania's building codes should allow single-exit stairways in multifamily buildings up to six stories tall. Currently, the state follows the International Building Code, which requires two separate stairways for structures taller than three stories, a rule that increases construction costs and limits design options. The study must evaluate safety factors such as water supply, fire department response times, and other measures needed to protect public health and welfare. The Council is tasked with issuing a report with recommendations for modifying the code before the next version is adopted, while also receiving input from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

HB 2663 amends the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act to establish specific deadlines for municipalities to review building permit applications and issue decisions. The bill requires that permits for single-family and two-family homes be decided within 15 business days, while other construction permits must be addressed within 30 business days. Additionally, the law mandates that if a permit application is denied, the code administrator must provide a written explanation citing the specific code violations. These changes aim to streamline the permitting process for homeowners, contractors, and local building officials by enforcing consistent review timelines.

SB 1279, known as the Reduce the Red Tape for Housing Act, aims to streamline housing construction permitting in Pennsylvania by requiring executive agencies to set specific processing timelines and adopt digital application systems. The bill introduces a new role called the Commonwealth Housing Regulatory Compliance Officer to coordinate between state agencies, local governments, and developers, while also allowing developers to hire independent third-party reviewers to expedite approvals. Additionally, the Office of Transformation and Opportunity must evaluate ways to improve the building materials supply chain and report on progress in reducing regulatory hurdles for housing projects.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act to create a funding mechanism for residential construction workforce training. It allows municipalities to charge an optional fee of up to $10 on residential permits, which would be collected and deposited into a new state account. Money from this account would be used to award grants to nonprofits, educational institutions, and local governments for training programs, apprenticeships, and equipment. A key provision requires that these grants be directed to counties where the original permit fees were collected to support local housing needs. The bill also mandates detailed annual reports on how the funds are spent and the outcomes of the training programs.

HB 1147 requires builders of new or rehabilitated residential buildings in Pennsylvania to fix significant defects (like water leaks or structural issues) at no cost to purchasers within two years of delivery. Builders must complete repairs within six months of being notified of a defect; if they fail to do so, purchasers can sue in court for 150% of the repair costs. The law applies to buildings delivered within two years of the bill's effective date and excludes cosmetic issues or defects covered by existing warranties. This directly affects homebuyers and builders by creating a clear, time-bound process for addressing construction flaws.

HB 1151 requires developers in Pennsylvania to mail a plain-language pamphlet called the "Adjacent Neighbors' Bill of Rights" to homeowners living next to construction or development sites when a building permit is applied for. The pamphlet details homeowners' rights regarding property access, engineering surveys (at developer expense), damage claims from excavation, noise ordinances, and legal resources. It also mandates the Department of Labor and Industry to create and post this resource online and distribute it to officials and community groups. The bill directly affects homeowners adjacent to construction projects and takes effect 60 days after enactment.