Major Changes to Pennsylvania Building Codes Affect Municipal Code Officials, Designers, Contractors and Builders Starting January 1, 2026

By Theodore T. Speedy, Esq.
Gawthrop Greenwood, PC

After a lengthy delay and final regulatory review process, Pennsylvania will officially implement the International Code Council 2021 Code Series, with amendments, as the Commonwealth’s Uniform Construction Code, anticipated to take effect on January 1, 2026.

When the new code becomes effective, all municipalities and municipal code officials across the Commonwealth, in addition to designers, contractors and builders who work with them, must ensure compliance with the new code. For the over 90% of municipalities that have opted to adopt and locally enforce the UCC, local code officials must be aware of the changes and how they will impact local construction. The Municipal Law Attorneys at Gawthrop Greenwood, PC are here to assist municipal leadership with questions.

ICC 2021 Code Series Changes & Updates

The ICC 2021 Code Series changes and updates are extensive, with the following items being especially notable:

• Emergency escape and rescue openings now require a clear 36-inch-wide path to a public way
• Deck design now considers snow load, tributary area for footing and post height and guard details
• A surge-protective device (SPD) is now required at the electrical service panel
• Changes to requirements for smoke alarm location
• Changes to chimney lining installation and requirements
• Requirements for building envelope vapor retarders & continuous insulation
• A new testing procedure for structure air leakage
• Further, the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) may require additional energy efficiency in new construction and also modifies the Climate Zone Map location requirements; municipalities should confirm their climate zone location to ensure compliance with requirements.

Users of the code must be familiar with the “amendments” to the ICC code, made in accordance with Pennsylvania law. The complete report of the adopted codes and amended provisions to be implemented can be found here.

Projects Affected By Updates to Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code

Projects designed or contracted on or after the effective date are subject to the new UCC provisions. For those projects with executed construction contracts prior to the effective date, those projects can proceed under the prior code if a permit is applied for within six months of the effective date.

Timeline of Pennsylvania Building Codes & Updates

The Pennsylvania Construction Code Act (“PCCA”) has long stressed uniformity in construction in the Commonwealth and provides authority for municipalities to adopt the effective UCC and locally enforce its provisions.

The current effective code is the ICC 2018 code series, which was adopted in 2022. Review of the ICC 2021 code series (which will be the new effective code January 1, 2026) began on October 13, 2021 and the UCC Review and Advisory Counsel approved the final report of the ICC 2021 implementation on September 12, 2024. The updated UCC provisions were originally scheduled to take effect on July 13, 2025. However, implementation was postponed due to completion of the required review by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.

Review of the ICC 2021 code implementation took place on October 16, 2025, with notice of the review published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on October 31, 2025. The Pennsylvania Building Officials Conference past chair and the current UCC RAC Chair provided notice that the changes would be effective on January 1, 2026.

The ICC 2021 code will be used by the Commonwealth for the foreseeable future.

A U.S. navy veteran and former civil engineer, Theodore T. Speedy, Jr. is a government and municipal law attorney at Gawthrop Greenwood, PC, where he advises municipalities on a wide range of legal matters, including governance, personnel, compliance, land use, and public policy. For more information, contact Theo at tspeedy@gawthrop.com or 610-696-8225.