Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 8 of 8 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. Federal OSHA state.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | Uniform Construction Code with the 2021 I-codes, effective Jan 1, 2026: the 2021 IFC is adopted by reference only, without modification, and no property maintenance code is among the adopted codesThe UCC adoption lists the IBC, IEBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IECC, ISPSC, IWUIC and Performance Code, with the IFC by reference only. Local fire codes come from municipal ordinances; Philadelphia enforces its own Fire Code (Title 4, Subcode F). SourceChecked on the source | Local fire marshals/code officials under municipal ordinances; PSP Fire Marshal is an investigative service local agencies can request; Office of State Fire Commissioner provides fire-service training, certification and grants | Comments due Feb 2, 2027In force; the UCC Review and Advisory Council is reviewing the 2024 I-codes (public comment deadline Feb 2, 2027 on the RAC page); no adoption date set |
| Building | Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code Ch. 401-405): 2021 I-Codes as amended by the RAC (IBC, IEBC, IRC, IECC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, ISPSC, IWUIC), effective Jan 1, 2026Reg. #12-125 (final-omitted; IRRC approved Oct 16, 2025; published Nov 8, 2025) adopted nearly all 2021 ICC provisions; IEBC omits storm-shelter Section 1106. 2021 accessibility updates remain enjoined (Commonwealth Court, Oct 26, 2022). SourceChecked on the source | Municipalities that opted in enforce through certified code officials or third-party agencies; L&I enforces where a municipality opted out; the Review and Advisory Council (RAC) reviews ICC editions and L&I adopts by regulation | Comments due Feb 2, 20272024 I-Code review at the RAC: public comments due Feb 2, 2027; no adoption or effective date set |
| Elevators | 34 Pa. Code Ch. 405 (UCC): ASME A17.1-2000 incl. A17.1a-2002 addenda; ASME A18.1-1999 incl. A18.1a-2001; no ASME A17.3 adoption foundExisting equipment gets periodic inspections every 6 or 12 months by equipment type. Reg. #12-123, effective Dec 20, 2026, adopts ASME A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16 and A18.1-2017 and makes Category 1 testing annual for all equipment, including existing. SourceChecked on the source | L&I Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety has sole jurisdiction to approve construction and use of elevators and lifting devices; L&I certifies third-party elevator inspection agencies | New ASME editions Dec 20, 2026Dec 20, 2026: Reg. #12-123 takes effect (A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017, B20.1-2018, A90.1-2015, B77.1-2022, A17.8-2016; annual Category 1 tests, previously every 3 years). L&I page (read Oct 23, 2026): guidance to be issued before the effective date; remaining sessions Pittsburgh Nov 12 and virtual Nov 16, 2026 (registration by 5pm Nov 12) |
| Boilers | Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law (as amended by Act 104 of 2013) + 34 Pa. Code Ch. 3a Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel RegulationsPower and process boilers: internal/external every 12 months (extendable if water-treatment conditions met). Low-pressure steam: 24 months. Steel hot-water heating: external 24, internal 48. Hot-water supply: external 24. Unfired pressure vessels: 36 months. SourceChecked on the source | L&I Boiler Division (Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety); inspections by Division staff or commissioned insurance inspectors; Division issues Certificates of Operation, posted in the boiler room | In forceIn force; no pending rulemaking found |
| Pools | Public Bathing Law + 28 Pa. Code Ch. 18 Public Swimming and Bathing Places: operating permit for public pools, spas, hot tubs and beaches; construction under UCC (2021 ISPSC with PA modifications since Jan 1, 2026)A copy of Chapter 18 must be posted at each swimming facility. Seven county and four municipal health departments handle bathing-place sanitation locally; Allegheny County permits and inspects hotel/motel pools annually. No recent Chapter 18 amendment found. SourceChecked on the source | Pa. Department of Health (Bureau of Community Health Systems) issues permits; county/municipal health departments where established (Act 315); local UCC code officials or L&I for pool construction | In forceIn force; no pending Chapter 18 rulemaking found |
| Lodging | No statewide hotel license or inspection program found; Act 31 of 2026 (HB 1286) human-trafficking awareness training for public lodging establishments, effective Jul 20, 2027Lodging establishments, short-term rental operators and listing platforms must train certain staff within 90 days of hire (existing staff within 90 days of Jul 20, 2027), retrain every two years, and keep compliance records. SourceChecked on the source | Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) approves trainings; records go to law enforcement or licensing authorities on request; hotel food service licensed by Pa. Dept. of Agriculture or the seven county health departments | Act 31 effective Jul 20, 2027Jul 20, 2027: Act 31 takes effect; existing staff must be trained by Oct 18, 2027 (computed, 90 days) |
| Workplace | Federal OSHA; Pennsylvania has no OSHA-approved State PlanFederal OSHA covers most private-sector employers statewide. Pennsylvania is not on OSHA's State Plan list, so state and local government workers are outside federal OSHA coverage. SourceChecked on the source | U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration | In force |
| Environmental | Federal EPA rules apply (SPCC, Tier II, HFC, RICE, asbestos NESHAP), plus state layer: DEP storage-tank operating permit and registration (Act 32); DEP plan-approval/operating-permit exemption list (doc 275-2101-003); asbestos notices to DEP 10 working days ahead, $400 fee from January 2026 (Allegheny and Philadelphia excluded); immediate phone notice of pollution incidents (25 Pa. Code 91.33); water-supplier cross-connection programs (25 Pa. Code 109.709).Regulated USTs and ASTs need a DEP operating permit renewed yearly with registration; new ASTs over 21,000 gallons need a site-specific installation permit. Exemption list covers small combustion units and engines under 100 bhp. Discharges threatening waters, including via sewers, need immediate phone notice to DEP. Suppliers require backflow assemblies where hazards exist. No statewide grease or lift-station rule found. SourceChecked on the source | Pa. DEP (Storage Tanks, Bureau of Air Quality, Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water programs, regional offices); Allegheny County Health Dept. and Philadelphia Air Management Services handle asbestos locally; public water suppliers run cross-connection programs; local sewer authorities | Rule change Mar 1, 2027Federal dates apply: next Tier II filing March 1, 2027; a proposed amendment to 25 Pa. Code 91.33 spill notification (EQB 7-587, Nov 2024) has no confirmed final date; confirm site-specific questions with DEP or the regional office |
Uniform Construction Code with the 2021 I-codes, effective Jan 1, 2026: the 2021 IFC is adopted by reference only, without modification, and no property maintenance code is among the adopted codes. The UCC adoption lists the IBC, IEBC, IRC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IECC, ISPSC, IWUIC and Performance Code, with the IFC by reference only. Local fire codes come from municipal ordinances; Philadelphia enforces its own Fire Code (Title 4, Subcode F). Enforced by: Local fire marshals/code officials under municipal ordinances; PSP Fire Marshal is an investigative service local agencies can request; Office of State Fire Commissioner provides fire-service training, certification and grants.
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code Ch. 401-405): 2021 I-Codes as amended by the RAC (IBC, IEBC, IRC, IECC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, ISPSC, IWUIC), effective Jan 1, 2026. Reg. #12-125 (final-omitted; IRRC approved Oct 16, 2025; published Nov 8, 2025) adopted nearly all 2021 ICC provisions; IEBC omits storm-shelter Section 1106. 2021 accessibility updates remain enjoined (Commonwealth Court, Oct 26, 2022). Enforced by: Municipalities that opted in enforce through certified code officials or third-party agencies; L&I enforces where a municipality opted out; the Review and Advisory Council (RAC) reviews ICC editions and L&I adopts by regulation.
Elevators: L&I Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety has sole jurisdiction to approve construction and use of elevators and lifting devices; L&I certifies third-party elevator inspection agencies (34 Pa. Code Ch. 405 (UCC): ASME A17.1-2000 incl. A17.1a-2002 addenda; ASME A18.1-1999 incl. A18.1a-2001; no ASME A17.3 adoption found). Boilers: L&I Boiler Division (Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety); inspections by Division staff or commissioned insurance inspectors; Division issues Certificates of Operation, posted in the boiler room (Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law (as amended by Act 104 of 2013) + 34 Pa. Code Ch. 3a Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Regulations).
Pennsylvania is a federal-OSHA state: the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforces workplace safety rules directly.
Fire: Comments due Feb 2, 2027 (In force; the UCC Review and Advisory Council is reviewing the 2024 I-codes (public comment deadline Feb 2, 2027 on the RAC page); no adoption date set); Building: Comments due Feb 2, 2027 (2024 I-Code review at the RAC: public comments due Feb 2, 2027; no adoption or effective date set); Elevators: New ASME editions Dec 20, 2026 (Dec 20, 2026: Reg. #12-123 takes effect (A17.1-2016/CSA B44-16, A18.1-2017, B20.1-2018, A90.1-2015, B77.1-2022, A17.8-2016; annual Category 1 tests, previously); Nov 12, 2026: L&I in-person session on elevator Reg. #12-123 in Pittsburgh (10am-12pm ET), open to all interested parties; also the 5pm pre-registration deadline for the Nov 16 virtual meeting; Nov 16, 2026: L&I virtual meeting on elevator Reg. #12-123 (10am-12pm ET); pre-registration by 5pm Nov 12, 2026 by email to the L&I Elevator Regulations account.
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