Code Enforcement

Building Permits are required for new construction of residential and commercial buildings as well as additions, sunrooms, renovations, garages, decks, porches, roofs, signs and swimming pools.

Zoning Reviews are required for all sheds, fences,  retaining walls, driveway expansions, patios and sidewalks.

An application for a Building Permit, or Zoning Review does not grant permission

for the job to start.  No work may start until the permit is issued.

All permits will be charged a $4.00 service fee in accordance with Act 13 of 2004 passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature.  The Township is required to submit these fees to the Commonwealth on a quarterly basis to fund required training associated with the recently adopted Uniform Construction Code.

All Building Permits must be posted so they are visible from the street.  Building Permits are not finalized until the necessary inspections are completed.

Code Enforcement Staff

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Building Code Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply for a permit?

2. As a home owner can I perform the work myself?

3. I am selling my home, does the Township require a resale inspection?

4. I want to change my basement to living space, will I need an additional exit to the outside?

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Fire Safety Frequently asked Questions

1.  How often should my fireplace be cleaned?
2.  Where are smoke detectors required in my home?
3.  What is a safe distance for my gas grill?
4.  How do I dispose of household hazardous waste?
5.  Do you have any burning regulations?

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Building Code Answers to FAQs

1.How do I apply for a permit?

• Permit applications (all kinds) are available at the Township Building from 8:00 - 4:30
  Monday thru Friday or on the website.
  In order to apply for a building permit you must supply the following with your application:

1. Identify and describe the work to be covered by the permit

2. Provide plot plan (See Zoning Permit Instructions) available at the Township Building.

3. Indicate the use and occupancy for which the proposed work is intended.

4. Submit detailed construction documents (3 sets) of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of the International Residential Code 2006 and township ordinances as determined by the building inspector.

5. State the valuation of the proposed work.

6. Sign the application and remit all fees.

7. Give other such data and information as required by the building official.

8. All residential and commercial building applications shall contain calculations demonstrating compliance with all 2006 International Energy Conservation Code requirements (i.e. Building envelope mechanical systems, service water, heating and electrical power and lighting systems.)

• To apply for a Zoning Review, you must provide 3 sets of all drawings, including the plot plan which must include the following information:

1. Name of owners

2. Address of property

3. Date of preparation of drawing

4. Name of preparer

5. Zoning Classification of the property

6. North arrow

7. Scale of not less than 1” = 20’, in case of larger projects, not less than 1” = 40’

8. Entire property including property lines, their courses and distances

9. Existing structures with dimensions of all sides

10. Date of construction of existing structures

11. Proposed structures with dimensions of all sides

12. Distances of existing and proposed structures from property lines

13. Nearest existing structures on adjacent properties, within 100’of property lines

14. Names and addresses of adjacent property owners

15. Existing contour lines at 5’ intervals where slopes exceed five percent (5%)

16. Existing trees over 6’ in diameter affected by proposed construction

17. Existing and proposed roads, driveways and parking areas showing numbered parking spaces and traffic flow arrows

18. Calculation of off-street parking as required by ordinance

19. Setback lines for buildings and parking areas

20. Ultimate right-of-way lines of adjacent streets

21. Gross square footage of floor area of existing and proposed structure (individual figure for each structure) and percentages of lot coverage of existing  and proposed structures.

22. Calculation of ratio of area of additions to area of existing structures

23. Building heights , existing and proposed

24. Location and size of signs, existing and proposed

25. Location and type of outdoor lights, existing and proposed

26. Landscaping, existing and proposed

27. Floodplain Conversation District Line (if applicable)

28. Riparian Corridor Protection Limits (if applicable)

29. Steep Slopes (if applicable)

Owner or representative (with letter of authorization) must sign the application, remit all fees and complete all sections of application.

2.As a home owner can I perform the work myself?

• All electrical, plumbing and mechanical work must be done by a licensed electrician, a licensed plumber or a licensed HVAC mechanic.  These professionals must be registered with the Township.  (See Contractor Registration Form)

  Other work can be done by the homeowner after all permits have been approved or by a General Contractor, who also must be registered with the Township.

          Registration requirements for all contractors are:
                  *  Completion of Registration Form
                  *  Insurance Certificate naming Towamencin Township as Certificate Holder
                  *  Notarized Workers Comp Exemption Form if applicable
                  *  Payment of Fees
 

3.I am selling my home, does the township require a resale inspection?

• You must first apply for a Certificate of Occupancy by completing the form and submitting the fee. After allowing 10 business days for processing, you may call the Township Building and schedule an inspection (24-hour notice is required).  If your home passes the inspection, the Inspector will issue a Certificate of Occupancy.  This certificate must be dated within 30 days of settlement. 

4.I want to change my basement to living space, will I need an additional exit to the  outside?  Yes

In Towamencin Township, for any basement renovations after January 1, 2001, under the International Residential Code the following applies:

R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required. Basements with habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one openable emergency escape and rescue window or exterior door opening for emergency escape and rescue.  Where openings are provided as a means of escape and rescue they shall have a sill height of not more than 44 inches (1118mm) above the floor. Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with Section R310.3. The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the window or door opening from the inside. Escape and rescue window openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2

R310.1.1 Minimum opening area. All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.530 m²). Exception: Grade floor openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5 square feet (0.465 m²).

R310.1.2 Minimum opening height. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches (610mm).

R310.1.3 Minimum opening width. The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches (508 mm).

R310.1.4 Operational constraints. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall be operational from the inside of the room without the use of keys of tools.

R310.2 Window wells. Window wells required for emergency escape and rescue shall have horizontal dimensions that allow the door or window of the emergency escape and rescue opening to be fully opened. The horizontal dimensions of the window well shall provide a minimum net clear area of 9 square feet (0.84 m²) with a minimum horizontal projection and width of 36 inches (914 mm). Exception: The ladder or steps required by Section R310.2.1 shall be permitted to encroach a maximum of 6 inches (152 mm) into the required dimensions of the window well.

R310.2.1 Ladder and steps. Window wells with a vertical depth greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) below the adjacent ground level shall be equipped with a permanently affixed ladder or steps usable with the window in the fully open position. Ladders or steps required by this section shall not be required to comply with Sections R314* and R315*. Ladders or rungs shall have an inside width of at least 12 inches (304 mm), shall project at least 3 inches (76 mm) from the wall and shall be spaced not more than 18 inches (457 mm) on center vertically for the full height of the window well.

R310.3 Bulkhead enclosures. Bulkhead enclosures shall provide direct access to the basement. The bulkhead enclosure with the door panels in the fully open position shall provide the minimum net clear opening required by Section R310.1.1. Bulkhead enclosures shall also comply with Section R314.9*.

R310.4 Bars, grills, covers and screens. Bars, grills, covers, screens or similar devices are permitted to be placed over emergency escape and rescue openings, bulkhead enclosures, or window wells that serve such openings, provided the minimum net clear opening size complies with Sections R310.1.1 to R310.1.3, and such devices shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool or force greater than that which is required for normal operation of the escape and rescue opening.

For referenced sections of the code or if you have questions, please call the Township Building.

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Answers to Fire Safety FAQs

How often should my fireplace be cleaned?

• It is recommended that the fireplace and chimney be cleaned every two years. 

Where are smoke detectors required in my home?

• A smoke detector is required on every floor level including the basement. In addition, the new building codes require one smoke alarm in each bedroom. (For existing homeowners, the bedroom code is recommended, but only required in new homes. 

What is a safe distance for my gas grill?

• Gas Grills should be kept a minimum of 10’ from any building 

How do I dispose of household hazardous waste?

• Montgomery County collects Household Hazardous Waste four times a year. For the 2007 collection schedule, click here or contact Montgomery County Recycling Hotline: 610-278-3618.  The hours of collections will be from 9:OOam-3:OOpm. 

OPEN BURNING RULES

1. Who can burn: ONE and TWO FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS ONLY
2. Before you start: Notify the Towamencin Township Police Department at 215 368-7600
3. What you can burn: Yard trimmings including leaves, only.
4. What you cannot burn!   Garbage, household, business or industrial trash or similar waste products
5. Where you can burn: More than 50 feet from any structure, vehicle or fuel tank and more than 25 feet from any property line
6. Where you cannot burn!   In any street, alley or any right of way
7. When you can burn:

• Saturdays and Sundays only, during the months of January, February, March, June, July, August, September and December.
• Daily during the months of April, May, October and November
   

Additional Information:

• You may not start before 08:00 AM and the fire and all embers must be completely extinguished before dusk, on the same day ignited.  Smoldering debris is not acceptable.
• The fire must be attended constantly by a responsible person.
• You must have an operating garden hose long enough to reach 15 feet beyond the burn pile.
• The pile size must not exceed 5’ x 5’ x 3’ high.  If more piles exist, only one pile may be burning at a time. 
• You may not use flammable liquids to accelerate the burning of the pile.
• You may not burn during high winds, drought or weather inversions or when deemed hazardous by the Fire Marshal.
• The fire must be free burning and not generating excessive smoke.
• Any embers discharging from the fire must be controlled and may not enter onto adjacent properties.
• If a complaint is received due to excessive smoke or fire embers entering onto adjacent properties, the Fire Marshal’s Office or the Police Department may order the fire to be extinguished.
• If high winds exist, a ban will be placed on any “open burning” for the remainder of the day.
• The fire must be completely extinguished by dusk on the same day it was ignited. No extension of this time may be granted.
   

54-4 Violations and Penalties 

Any persons who shall violate any of the terms or provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof before a District Justice, be sentenced to pay a fine or penalty not exceeding $1,000 and the cost of prosecution for each offence.  This is to be collected as like fines or penalties and costs, due collectible by law.

Any questions may be referred to the Fire Marshal’s Office during normal business hours at 215-368-7602, extension 1104.

Charles E. Mayers Jr.
Fire Marshal

(Reference:  The Code of Towamencin Township, Chapter 54)
(Reference:  International Fire Code – 2006, as adopted by Towamencin Township)
(Reference:  PA Department of Environmental Protection [PADEP] Regulation 129.14)
 March 2007

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