Building Codes & Permits

The City of Franklin Code Enforcement Office is responsible for the review, permit issuance and inspection of residential and commercial building construction within the City of Franklin, through the enforcement of the locally adopted and state mandated codes.

The City of Franklin has adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, which currently adheres to the 2018 International Family of Codes.

Residential Construction is regulated by the 2018 International Residential Code and the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and includes the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, renovation, and demolition of one and two family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade in height.

Commercial Construction is regulated by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and the:

  • 2018 International Building Code

    • Chapter 1 is not adopted (most of its requirements are incorporated in Chapter 403 of the UCC regulation)
    • Chapter 27 (Electrical) requires that all electrical components, equipment and systems in buildings and structures covered by the IBC comply with the requirements of NFPA 70-2017, National Electrical Code
  • 2018 International Plumbing Code

  • 2018 International Mechanical Code

  • 2018 International Fuel Gas Code

    • Any LPG requirements are superseded by the requirements of Pennsylvania’s Propane and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act (and regulations). This Act and regulations are limited to LPG Facility which is defined as Distributors, Bulk Plants, and Industrial Users. The department fully expects building code officials to permit, inspect, and regulate as needed all aspects of LPG appliances and related tubing inside structures in the same manner as any other appliance such as natural gas or electric as required by municipality or political subdivision ordinance. To further clarify, any appliance, heater, generator, etc. which would normally require a permit or inspection from a BCO does not become exempt simply because the fuel source is LPG.

  • 2018 International Fire Code

    • Adopted only to the extent referenced in Chapter 35 of the International Building Code 2018

  • 2018 International Energy Conservation Code

    • The UCC regulations provide for the use of an alternative to Chapter 11 of the International Residential Code (or Chapter 4 (RE) of the International Energy Conservation Code), to demonstrate compliance with the energy conservation requirements of the UCC. This alternative compliance path, which can be obtained by clicking on the link below, was developed by the Pennsylvania Housing Research Center at Penn State University and is entitled "Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Provisions" .

    • Pennsylvania's ALTERNATIVE (Residential Energy Provisions)

  • 2018 International Existing Building Code

  • 2018 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (supplementary requirements that may be used to mitigate fire- and life-safety hazards in unique wildland areas)

  • 2017 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70-2017)
  • 2018 International Residential Code (code for one- and two-family dwellings no more than 3 stories in height)
The provisions of these codes apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structures or any appurtenances connected or attached to commercial buildings or structures.