Solar & Battery Regulation & Incentive Programs

Building Energy Code

Program Overview


Category:
Regulatory Policy
Program Type:
Building Energy Code
Implementing Sector:
State
State:
Pennsylvania
Eligible Storage Technologies:
Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building
Website:
http://bcapcodes.org/code-status/state/pennsylvania/
Residential Code:
The 2009 Uniform Construction Code is based on the 2009 IECC. It also offers alternate compliance paths through the 2009 IRC (Chapter 11) and the 2009 Pennsylvania Alternative Residential Energy Provisions (PA-Alt). In addition, several provisions from the 2015 IECC have been adopted (see link above). The residential code applies to 1- and 2-family detached homes and townhouses and is mandatory statewide. REScheck may be used to show compliance.
Commercial Code:
The 2009 Uniform Construction Code is based on the 2009 IECC with reference to ASHRAE 90.1-2007. The commercial code applies to nonresidential buildings and is mandatory statewide. COMcheck may be used to show compliance.
Code Change Cycle:
Generally reviewed every three years with the publication of the new editions of the International Code Council's series of model codes. Most recent code update effective December 31, 2009.
Applicable Sectors:
Commercial, Residential
Last Updated:
06/11/2020

Summary

NOTE: Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP websites.

Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has the authority to upgrade commercial and residential energy standards through the regulatory process. The current code, the 2009 UCC, became effective December 31, 2009. On January 2016, Pennsylvania also adopted several residential provisions from the 2015 IECC (see details here). 

Over 90% of Pennsylvania's 2,563 municipalities have elected to administer and enforce the UCC locally, using their own employees or via certified third party agencies (private code enforcement agencies) that they have retained. In these municipalities, the Department has no code enforcement authority, except where the municipality lacks the services of a person certified as an "Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner."  If a municipality has "opted out," the Department is responsible for all commercial code enforcement in that municipality.