(a) An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a residential building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit under § 403.62a (relating to permit application).

(b) An emergency repair or replacement of equipment may be made without first applying for a permit if a permit application is submitted to the building code official within 3 business days of the repair or replacement.

(c) A permit is not required for the exceptions listed in § 403.1(b) (relating to scope) and the following construction if the work does not violate a law or ordinance:

(1) The following building construction, replacement or repairs:

(i) Fences that are no more than 6 feet high.

(ii) Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the lowest level of grade to the top of the wall unless the wall supports a surcharge.

(iii) Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.

(iv) Sidewalks and driveways that are 30 inches or less above adjacent grade and not placed over a basement or story below it.

(v) Exterior or interior painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, flooring, cabinets, counter tops and similar finishing work.

(vi) Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.

(vii) Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one-or two-family dwelling.

(viii) Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.

(ix) Replacement of glass in any window or door. The replacement glass shall comply with the minimum requirements of the ‘‘International Residential Code.’’

(x) Installation and replacement of a window, door, garage door, storm window and storm door in the same opening if the dimensions or framing of the original opening are not altered. The installation of means of egress and emergency escape windows may be made in the same opening, without altering the dimensions or framing of the original opening if the required height, width or net clear opening of the previous window or door assembly is not reduced.

(xi) Replacement of existing roof material that does not exceed 25% of the total roof area performed within any 12-month period.

(xiii) Replacement of existing siding.

(xiv) Repair or replacement of any part of a porch or stoop which does not structurally support a roof located above the porch or stoop.

(xv) Installation of additional roll or batt insulation.

(xvi) Replacement of exterior rain water gutters and leaders.

(xvii) Installation of an uncovered deck where the floor of the deck is no more than 30 inches above grade.

(2) Minor electrical work for the following:

(i) Replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles

(ii) Replacement of a receptacle, switch or lighting fixture rated at 20 amps or less and operating at less than 150 volts to ground with a like or similar item. This does not include replacement of receptacles in locations where ground-fault circuit interrupter protection is required.

(iii) Replacement of installed electrically operated equipment such as doorbells, communication systems and any motor operated device.

(iv) Installation, alteration or rearrangement of communications wiring.

(v) Replacement of dishwashers.

(vi) Replacement of kitchen range hoods.

(vii) Installation of battery-powered smoke detectors.

(3) The following gas work:

(i) Portable heating, cooking or clothes drying appliances.

(ii) Replacement of a minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make this equipment unsafe.

(iii) A portable fuel cell appliance that is not connected to a fixed piping system and is not interconnected to a power grid.

(4) The following mechanical work or equipment:

(i) A portable heating appliance.

(ii) Portable ventilation appliances.

(iii) A portable cooling unit.

(iv) Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment governed under the Uniform Construction Code.

(v) Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make the equipment unsafe.

(vi) Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant or that are put into action by motors 1 horsepower.

(vii) Portable evaporative cooler.

(viii) A portable fuel cell appliance that is not connected to a fixed piping system and is not interconnected to a power grid.

(5) The following plumbing work:

(i) Replacement of bib valves if the replacement hose bib valves are provided with an approved atmospheric vacuum breaker.

(ii) Refinishing of existing fixtures.

(iii) Replacement of ball cocks.

(iv) Repair of leaks.

(v) Clearance of stoppages.

(vi) Replacement of faucets or working parts of faucets.

(vii) Replacement of valves other than shower or combination shower/bath valves.

(viii) Replacement of traps.

(ix) Replacement of a water closet, lavatory or kitchen sink.

(x) Replacement of domestic clothes washers and dishwashers.

(6) The following heating, ventilation and air conditioning work:

(i) Replacement of motors, pumps and fans of the same capacity.

(ii) Repair and replacement of heating, supply and return piping and radiation elements which do not require rearrangement of the piping system.

(iii) Repair and replacement of duct work.

(iv) Repair and replacement of air conditioning equipment and systems.

(v) Repair and replacement of control devices for heating and air conditioning equipment.

(vi) Replacement of kitchen range hoods.

(vii) Replacement of clothes dryers if there is no change in fuel type, location or electrical requirements.

(viii) Replacement of stoves and ovens if there is no change in fuel type, location or electrical characteristics.

(a) An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a commercial building, structure and facility or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit under § 403.42a (relating to permit application).

(b) Emergency repairs or replacement of equipment may be made without first applying for a permit if a permit application is submitted to the building code official within 3 business days of the repair or replacement.

(c) A permit is not required for the exceptions listed in § 403.1(b) (relating to scope) and the following construction as long as the work does not violate a law or ordinance:

(1) Building construction for the following:

(i) Fences that are not over 6 feet high.

(ii) Oil derricks.

(iii) Retaining walls, which are not over 4 feet in height measured from the lowest level of grade to the top of the wall, unless it is supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.

(iv) Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.

(v) Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and that are not located over a basement or story below it and which are not part of an accessible route.

(vi) Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finishing work.

(vii) Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery.

(viii) Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy which are less than 24 inches deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons and are installed entirely aboveground.

(ix) Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes that do not include service systems.

(x) Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one-or two-family dwellings.

(xi) Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of group R-3 as applicable in the ‘‘International Building Code,’’ and Group U occupancies.

(xii) Movable cases, counters and partitions that are not over 5 feet 9 inches in height.

(xiii) Window replacement without structural change.

(2) Electrical work for the following:

(i) Minor repair and maintenance work that includes the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical

equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

(ii) Electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions. The provisions of the Uniform Construction Code apply to equipment and wiring for power supply and the installation of towers and antennas.

(iii) The installation of a temporary system for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.

(3) The following gas work:

(i) A portable heating appliance.

(ii) Replacement of a minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make the equipment unsafe.

(4) The following mechanical work or equipment:

(i) A portable heating appliance.

(ii) Portable ventilation equipment.

(iii) A portable cooling unit.

(iv) Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment governed under the Uniform Construction Code.

(v) Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.

(vi) A portable evaporative cooler.

(vii) A self-contained refrigeration system containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and placed into action by motors that are not more than 1 horsepower.

(5) The following plumbing repairs:

(i) Stopping leaks in a drain and a water, soil, waste or vent pipe. The Uniform Construction Code applies if a concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and is removed and replaced with new material.

(ii) Clearing stoppages or repairing leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and installation of water closets, faucets and lavatories if the valves or pipes are not replaced or rearranged.

(d) An ordinary repair does not require a permit. The following are not ordinary repairs:

(1) Cutting away a wall, partition or portion of a wall.

(2) The removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support.

(3) The removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements.

(4) The addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical.

(e) A permit is not required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation, transmission, distribution, metering or other related equipment that is, by established right, under the ownership and control of a public utility as the term ‘‘public utility’’ is defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to definitions).

(f) A building code official may issue an annual permit instead of an individual permit for each alteration to an already approved electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing installation. All of the following are required:

(1) The applicant shall regularly employ at least one qualified trades person in the building or structure owned or operated by the applicant.

(2) The applicant shall submit an application in accordance with § 403.42a(m).

(3) An annual permit holder shall keep detailed records of alterations made in accordance with the annual permit. The permit holder shall provide access to these records to the building code official.

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