Online Form – Request-City of York-Code Enforcement
Documents & Forms
Permit, License & Appeal Applications View Current Zoning Map Property Complaint Form New Business Start-Up PacketThis year Qdot Engineering will be receiving and processing all tenant occupied property licenses. The Bureau of Permits, Planning and Zoning can no longer accept applications. All payments must be made at Qdot Engineering located at 280 West Market Street, York, PA 17401.
Important Information
- Public Notices
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Staff
Steven R. Buffington, BCO – Building Code Official
Deputy Director Permits, Planning and Zoning
(717) 849-2208
sbuffington@yorkcity.org– Zoning Officer
(717) 849-2280
cwormley@yorkcity.orgTamika Rascoe – Health and Sanitation Officer
(717) 845-2124
trascoe@yorkcity.orgMichelle Painter – East End MDJ 19-1-01
Property Maintnence Inspector II (Inspector Supervisor)
(717) 849-2347
mpainter@yorkcity.orgCarlos Santiago – North West End MDJ 19-1-02
Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 849-2341
csantiago@yorkcity.orgJason Sandmeyer South End MDJ 19-1-04
Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 852-8231
jsandmeyer@yorkcity.orgCliffonda Stokes West End MDJ 19-1-05
Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 852-8231
cstokes@yorkcity.orgShelton Scott, BCO – Interior Inspector
Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 849-2222
sscott@yorkcity.orgMontanez McMillion – Interior Inspector
Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 849-2882
mmcmillion@yorkcity.orgD’Erick Michael – Interior Inspector
Part-Time Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 849-2882
pmaher@yorkcity.orgNychole Woodyard – Office Coordinator
(717) 849-2256
nwoodyard@yorkcity.orgCharly Trisha Forrest – Permit Technician
(717) 849-2239
cforrest@yorkcity.org -
Building Codes
Building Codes; Then and Now
The first Building Code was introduced in 2200 BC, by Hammurabi. It said that if a builder built a house so poorly that it fell down and killed the owner’s son, then the builder’s son would be put to death. That first code was quite simple and direct, but did not address all cases. What if the owner set the house on fire and then it fell down. Who’s fault would it be then? So a building code is not as simple as it may seem.
The City of York first passed a building code in 1901. It was a code written by an insurance company and as such addressed many of the concerns that exist today. However, an insurance company has a vested interest in the outcome or judgement of a building condition and as such may not have written a code strictly for the safety of the occupants and community.
Today, building codes are available that specifically relate to matters involving construction or renovation of a structure, fire related issues with any structure, plumbing matters, mechanical systems, and the proper maintenance of property and premises. In the past, these codes are available from a number of sources, BOCA, Building Officials and Codes Administrators, is the oldest. BOCA and two other code agencies, ICBO and SBCII, have merged to produce one set of uniform code standards that are accepted across the country, known as the International Codes.
What Is A Code and How Does It Become Law?
The City of York has adopted current ‘model’ building codes and specially adopted them for unique circumstances in the City. The Building Official and the Fire Chief and their staffs have reviewed all of the proposed codes and changed, or amended, them to apply specifically to York.
A model building code is a collection of rules, specifications, authorities, and other statutory requirements, compiled as a complete set by consensus vote of a group of professional building inspection professionals. As a model, a code is ONLY a recommendation. The content of the model code is involved with the physical structure and healthful conditions for occupants of buildings
When a government legislative authority adopts a model code, it becomes the law of the local jurisdiction. Building codes are, therefore, the government’s official statement on building safety.
Building codes establish predictable and consistent minimum standards, which are applied to the quality and durability of both the construction and the materials. Minimum standards means that construction meets the criteria of being both “practical and adequate” for protecting individual’s lives, providing a known level of safety, and provides for public safety.
Building and Construction Codes in the City of York**
When codes are adopted and become part of the law, certain agencies within the government are appointed to oversee the application of and compliance with the codes. In the City of York, Building Official and his staff are responsible to oversee the proper application and enforcement of:
- New Construction (Both Commercial and Residential)- 2015 International Building Code along with Appendices B, C, D, E, F, H and J, as published by the International Codes Council. Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry requires compliance with the accessibility requirements of Chapter 11 and Appendix E of the 2015 International Building Code.
- Residential Construction – 2015 International Residential Code along with Appendices A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K and L, as published by the International Codes Council.
- Existing Building Code – 2015 International Existing Building Code along with The Appendix, as published by the International Codes Council.
- Fire Code – 2015 International Fire Code along with Appendices B, C, D, E, F and G, as published by the International Codes Council.
- Plumbing Code – 2015 International Plumbing Code along with Appendices B, C, D, E, F and G, as published by the International Codes Council.
- Mechanical Code – 2015 International Mechanical Code along with Appendix A, as published by the International Codes Council.
- Fuel Gas Code – 2015 International Fuel Gas Code along with Appendices A, B, C and D, as adopted by the International Codes Council.
*To view these documents please visit www.ICCsafe.org
Property Maintenance Code of the City of York as formulated on the basis of the International Property Maintenance Code.
Effective January 1, 2007
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Citizen Inspector Training
The purpose of the Citizen Inspector Training classes is to encourage citizens to be involved and to participate in the community in which they live. The Citizen Inspector Program was created in 1998 and it encourages participants to serve as the eyes and ears for the community. A citizen inspector’s role is to assist in keeping neighborhoods clean and safe, encourage neighbors to maintain their properties and report possible violations. They will not enforce the codes.
The Bureau of Permits, Planning and Zoning and the Fire Prevention Bureau of the City of York offer Citizen Inspector Training classes, free of charge, for York City residents.
For More Information or To Sign Up:
Kelli Hill
Phone: (717) 849-2256
e-mail: khill@yorkcity.org
