Documents & Forms
Permit, License & Appeal Applications View Current Zoning Map Property Complaint Form New Business Start-Up PacketNEW PLATFORM FOR PERMIT APPLICATIONS
We have begun the process of migrating our permit management system to a new platform. Effective immediately you must use the link below to apply for UCC PERMITS, DEMOLITION AGREEMENTS, CURB AND SIDEWALK, YARD SALE, ELECTRICAL TURN ON, DUMPSTER AND CURB & SIDEWALK PERMITS:
Open Gov Citizen Services Portal
Mechanical Device licenses and Plumber’s Licenses are also being process through the Open Gov system at the link above. On Monday, May 16, 2022 Uniform Construction Code permits will transition to this system as well. As we make the transition if you experience any issues please call Charly Forrest at (717) 849-2239 and she will assist you.
PA UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION CODE ADOPTS UPDATED CODES
Any project for which a design or construction contract was not signed prior to February 14, 2022 shall utilize the following codes:
2018 International Building Code
2021 IBC Accessibility Provisions
2018 International Existing Building Code
2021 IEBC Accessibility Provisions
2017 ANSI/ICC A117.1
2018 International Fuel Gas Code
2018 International Mechanical Code
2018 International Plumbing Code
2021 IPC Accessibility Provisions
2017 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code
2018 International Residential Code
2018 International Fire Code
Any standards referenced by these adopted codes follow whatever year is noted in the referenced standards section of that code.
Any project that under design or contract prior to February 14, 2022 may us the 2015 I-Codes with the 2018 accessibility provisions and the 2009 ANSI/ICC A117.1. this applied to projects where the application for permits is prior to August 14, 2022.
TENANT OCCUPIED INSPECTION COVID PRECAUTIONS
For the safety of our inspectors and residents, only one person may accompany an inspector and they MUST wear a mask and maintain social distancing. Residents must go to another area of the dwelling/structure during the inspection. If the property representative, resident or complainant refuses to comply with these restrictions our inspectors will not enter the premises.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this policy causes however the health and safety of the public and our staff are paramount.
Administration of Tenant Occupied Property Licensing and Inspections
The City of York has implemented a new software system to manage tenant occupied property licensing. As a result, license renewal applications are late being sent out. It is anticipated that renewal notices will be mailed on or before January 15, 2022. The late fee dates will be adjusted accordingly. We apologize for any inconvenience that this creates.
The new system, OpenGov, will allow owners to renew licenses online. Instructions will be included in the renewal letters. IF YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE RENEWAL PROCESS PLEASE CALL AMY TOMCHICK-NEWCOMER AT (717) 849-1425 AND SHE WILL ASSIST YOU WITH THE PROCESS.
LICENSING NEW TENANT OCCUPIED PROPERTIES
If you wish to license a tenant occupied property that has not been previously licensed, you must fill out a tenant occupied property license application and provide proof of insurance as required by Article 1512 of the Codified Ordinances. Single-family dwellings may be processed immediately upon receipt as they require no Zoning approval. Multi-family dwellings that have never been licensed or any dwelling that the number of units are changed must be reviewed by the Zoning Officer for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance.
Questions related to tenant occupied property licensing and inspection may also be directed to:
Amy Tomchick-Newcomer, Tenant Occupied Property Administrative Assistant
Email: anewcomer@yorkcity.org
Telephone: (717) 849-1425
Michelle Diggs, Lead Property Maintenance Inspector
Email: mdiggs@yorkcity.org
Telephone: (717) 849-1425
Steven R Buffington, Deputy Director Permits and Inspections
Email: sbuffington@yorkcity.org
Telephone: (717) 849-2208
Important Information
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Public Notices
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Staff
Steven R. Buffington, BCO – Building Code Official
Deputy Director Permits and Inspections
(717) 849-2208
sbuffington@yorkcity.orgMichelle Painter – Property Maintenance Inspector II (Inspector Supervisor)
(717) 849-2347
mpainter@yorkcity.orgChris Dempwolf – Assistant Building Code Official
(717) 819-1980
cdempwolf@yorkcity.orgShelton Scott – Acting Assistant Building Code Official
(717) 849-2222
sscott@yorkcity.orgTamika Rascoe – Health and Sanitation Officer
(717) 845-2124
trascoe@yorkcity.orgVACANT – Food Sanitarian
(717) 843-4948Carlos Santiago – Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 849-2341
csantiago@yorkcity.orgMontanez McMillion – Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 849-2882
mmcmillion@yorkcity.orgCliffonda Stokes – Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 849-2233
cstokes@yorkcity.orgGregg Wilson – Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 849-5222
gwilson@yorkcity.orgRaymond McGettigan – Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 819-1016
rmcgettigan@yorkcity.orgDia’Quest Casiano – Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 849-5520
dcasiano@yorkcity.orgDonnell Pride – Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 819-1028
dpride@yorkcity.orgAnthony Brunner – Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 819-1460
abrunner@yorkcity.orgShonna Akins – Part-Time Property Maintenance Inspector
(717) 819-1488
sakins@yorkcity.orgVACABT – Office Coordinator
(717) 849-2256Charly Trisha Forrest – Permit Technician
(717) 849-2239
cforrest@yorkcity.orgAmy Tomchick-Newcomer – Tenant Occupied Administrative Assistant
(717) 849-1425
anewcomer@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 and Inspections 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:
Fransheska Guerrero
Phone: (717) 849-2256
e-mail: fguerrero@yorkcity.org
