Capitol Advocacy & Education

From its Harrisburg headquarters, AIA Pennsylvania manages state government affairs on behalf of all its members. The Government Affairs Committee, in collaboration with staff, oversees these responsibilities:

Reviews and monitors state legislative activities
Develops AIA Pennsylvania’s positions on legislative issues
Represents AIA Pennsylvania’s interests involving state agencies
Plans and implements advocacy and communication strategies
Informs and engages AIA members in government affairs activities (e.g., Architects Action Day)

Major Legislative Issues and Initiatives

Building Codes

2018 I-Codes Effective Early 2022
The updated Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) referencing the 2018 I-Codes have an effective date of Tuesday, February 14, 2022.

There is a six-month grace period where projects can be submitted to be reviewed under the retiring Uniform Construction Code (UCC). This grace period applies to projects that are under contract prior to February 14, 2022, and are submitted for permit within six months of the new UCC adoption date (August 14, 2022). Any projects which come under contract after February 14th or are submitted for permit after the expiration of that six-month grace period will be reviewed under the revised UCC, including the 2018 I-Codes and all updated references.

Basically, if a design or construction contract is signed before the effective date (February 14, 2022), application may be made and permit issued under the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) in effect at the time of contract as long as application is made August 14, 2022, or before. Municipalities are permitted to adopt ordinance specifying a period prior to August 14, 2022.*

As reported by AIA Pennsylvania, the effective date for the updated building codes was made public on October 14, 2021, at the UCC Review & Advisory Council (RAC) meeting.

As of January 26, 2022, Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRR) officially approved updates to the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) by adopting nearly all provisions of the 2018 International Code Council’s model codes, as directed by the UCC Review and Advisory Council.

As detailed in the UCC Review and Advisory Council (RAC) report adopted by the Department of Labor and Industry, the updated regulations, as well as the effective date of February 14, 2022, have been published in the February 12, 2022 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

For more information on the code changes, download or order the ICC’s “Significant Changes to the International Building Code, 2018 Edition.”

*AIA Pennsylvania advises members to check with their local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to verify grace period timeframes and specifics.

review the updated building codes and modifications >

review the new UCC regulations >

AIA Pennsylvania has included information throughout 2021 on the status of the building codes updates in the “Advocacy on the Boards”/Government Affairs corner of aiapa.org and the “Pennsylvania Architect” newsletter.

Code References & Resources

The codes as published by the International Code Council are copyrighted and can be purchased from the ICC, either online at: www.iccsafe.org, or by calling the ICC publication office at 1-800-786-4452. For more information on the referenced 2018 I-Code changes, download or order the ICC’s “Significant Changes to the International Building Code, 2018 Edition.”

The ICC also made copies of its codes accessible online, at no charge. Please note that this free service is very limited in terms of access and search and print capabilities. If you want full access and features, you will either need to pay for full electronic access or purchase the desired code book(s).

Building Codes | Accessibility Provisions

2021 Accessibility Codes Implementation Date Moved Up
The effective date of the accessibility provisions of the 2021 ICC family of codes, formerly reported to be January 1, 2022, has been moved up to December 25, 2021. The accessibility provisions, as outlined in a letter from the PA-UCC Review & Advisory Council Chair include:

International Building Code, 2021 edition

Chapter 11 – Accessibility
Appendix E – Supplementary Accessibility Requirements

ICC A117.1-2017 Standard and Commentary

International Plumbing Code, 2021 edition

403.4 – Signage
403.5 – Drinking Fountain Locations404 – Accessible Plumbing Facilities
405.3.1 – Water Closets, Urinals, Lavatories and Bidets

International Swimming Pool & Spa Code, 2021 edition

307.1.4 – Accessibility

International Existing Building Code, 2021 edition

306 – Accessibility
1101.2 – Creation or Extension of Nonconformity
1508 – Accessibility
Appendix B – Supplementary Accessibility Requirements for Existing Buildings &
Facilities

Pennsylvania’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) approved the regulation on December 9, 2021, and published its regulatory analysis. The accessibility provisions referencing the 2021 I-Code series were published by the Pennsylvania Bulletin on December 25, 2021 and became effective that day.

There is a six-month grace period where projects can be submitted to be reviewed under the retired accessibility provisions. This grace period applies to projects that were under contract prior to December 25, 2021, and are submitted for permit within six months of the effective date (June 25, 2022). Any projects which came under contract after December 25, 2021, or are submitted for permit after the expiration of that six-month grace period will be reviewed under the current accessibility provisions.

Basically, if a design or construction contract is signed before this effective date, application may be made and permit issued for accessibility provisions under the Uniform Construction Code (UCC) in effect at the time of contract as long as application is made June 25, 2022,* or before.

*AIA Pennsylvania advises members to check with their local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to verify grace period timeframes and specifics.

review the accessibility code regulations >

Change is Coming | AIA PA Update on UCC & Accessibility Code Changes

For more on the building code changes coming to Pennsylvania, register to access the on-demand webinar held on November 30, 2021, featuring Matthew Kegg, Director of the Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety with L&I, James Mehaffey, AIA, AIA PA Building Codes Subcommittee Chair, and Chuck Parker, AIA, Building Codes Subcommittee member.

stream the webinar >

School Construction Reimbursement/PlanCon (Planning and Construction Workbook)

Stream the AIA Pennsylvania panel discussion, “Designing Schools for Success” below to learn more about the PlanCon process, k-12 building lifecycle and maintenance, how learning spaces have changed, public involvement in planning and high performance schools.