Pike County, PA – The Pennsylvania Builders Association and the Pike County Builders Association are pleased that the Uniform Construction Code Review and Advisory Council voted 11 to 5 on Wednesday, January 18 to not adopt any 2012 International Code Council codes in Pennsylvania. This action was supported by builders, building code officials, architects and engineers that are members of the Council. The result of this vote will provide three years of no additional building code costs for not only builders, but consumers across the state, who in the end pay for the changes.
The Council is now charged with writing a report to indicate this position to the Secretary of Labor and Industry by July 2012.
In addition to three years of relief, the RAC voted to send a recommendation to the legislature to amend the UCC Act to extend the code change adoption cycle from every three years to every six years.
According to Paul Szostak, president of the Pike County Builders Association “We see this decision and the resulting recommendation as a huge victory for Pennsylvania homebuyers. With fewer new codes, fewer added costs are involved in the building and purchase of new homes—while safety is not compromised.”
The UCC is the statewide building code in Pennsylvania that, along with a set of regulations, works to balance their impact on health, safety and welfare of Pennsylvania homebuyers with their economic and financial impacts and technical feasibility. One of the duties of the RAC is to ensure that any financial impacts of new codes and changes are considered prior to adoption. Extremely costly standards make it difficult for low to middle-income consumers to afford a new home, oftentimes keeping them in older, noncompliant and less-safe homes.
Last year, PBA fought hard for the passage of Act 1 of 2011, which removed the costly sprinkler mandate from Pennsylvania’s building code and lead to the reform of the adoption process for building codes in Pennsylvania.
“We, as an organization, see this not only as a Governmental Affairs victory for our members, but—just as importantly—as a victory for Pennsylvania’s homebuyers. Without costly added mandates, consumers are freer to build the homes they dream of, at prices they can better afford for three more years,” explained 2012 PBA President Warren Peter.
PBA will continue to work with industry experts, members and legislators to develop and support cost-effective and affordable building codes, standards, regulations and legislation while fight for the rights of new home buyers throughout the state of PA. The organization strives to remain a constant advocate for the industry and its consumers. For more information on building codes and other legislation, visit www.PaBuilders.org.
About PCBA
The Pike County Builders Association is one of more than 800 state and local professional organizations of people in the building trades and related industries. The Association is committed to providing their members and the consumer with quality standards while living up to their code of ethics. The PCBA was formed in 1978 and serves a membership base in Pike County and some surrounding areas of New York and New Jersey. For more information on the Association contact the PCBA office at 570-296-5589 or visit the PCBA website at www.pikecountybuilders.com
About PBA
Chartered in 1952, the Pennsylvania Builders Association is a nonprofit professional trade organization representing more than 6,400 member-companies from across the commonwealth. PBA members and their employees include builders, remodelers, material suppliers, subcontractors, consultants, lending institutions, utilities and others involved in the housing industry.
PBA serves its membership by providing proactive leadership on state regulatory and legislative issues and by offering products and services to its 38 local associations and chapters that enhance the effectiveness and professionalism of its members. PBA serves Pennsylvania communities and consumers through its steadfast efforts to protect homeownership rights and advocate for affordable housing options. PBA is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders.
IN PHOTO – Paul Szostak, PCBA President
