Please review this page carefully before moving on to the Construction and Remodeling Form on the next page.

The  Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) is in effect in Rapho Township.  The Uniform Construction Code is administered by the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer and Building Code Official.
 
The Uniform Construction Code references a standardized set of codes and appendices that are known as the International Construction Code. This is further broken down into a building code, residential code, mechanical code, plumbing code, electrical code, fuel gas code, fire code, energy conservation code, existing building code and urban-wildland-interface code.

There are limited instances where there are exclusions from following the UCC. Repairs or alterations that do not have any structural changes are excluded.  However, a "Change of Use" or "Change of Occupancy" for any building must meet safety and other designated criteria in order for the building to be approved for the new intended use or change of occupancy. 

  Also excluded are fences that are not more than 6 feet high, retaining walls less than 4 feet high, exterior or interior painting, papering, carpeting, flooring etc. Replacement of existing roof material, replacement of existing siding, interior insulation, replacement of rain gutters, installation of an uncovered deck no more than 30 inches above grade are all additional areas of exclusion.

Under these regulations, MERCHANT will need to get a Building Permit application from the township.

THE FAIRE will assist in the process of getting an approved BUILDING PERMIT for the MERCHANT

The FAIRE uses Commonwealth Code Inspectors as our chosen building inspector

If your project is required to submit plans, (such as a new building or an addition), these plans will have to be approved by the inspection company prior to issuance of a Building Permit by the township.

Commercial building permit fee is $100 plus $3 per $1,000 cost of construction plus a fee of $4 per permit, used to fund state inspector training programs.
  
 During the construction process, you or your builder will notify the inspector to check on construction at certain times during the process. Plan review and inspection company fees must be paid when your building permit is issued. When the project is finished, the inspection company must do a final inspection and then notify the township that the job is complete and approved.  The Township Building Code Official will then issue the Certificate of Occupancy.

Any proposal for new construction, remodeling or replacement must be submitted prior to September 30th of the current season, with the Construction & Remodeling Form, in order to be considered for approval for the upcoming season. This document must be signed by the Builder Owner, Merchant Coordinator, and Managing Partner of the FAIRE

The first step for building approval is submission of a representative sketch encompassing the scope and design of the project. After the sketch has been submitted, the FAIRE will grant approval/disapproval within fourteen (14) days.

Approval is not needed for general maintenance to the building. If there are any questions regarding the meaning of general maintenance, please consult the FAIRE.

After preliminary approval, a complete set of architectural and construction drawings sealed by a Pennsylvania licensed engineer or architect must be submitted to the FAIRE.

MERCHANT must provide four (4) sets of all blueprints.

The FAIRE will submit the plans to Rapho Township for a building permit. MERCHANT will be notified when the application is granted.

After a building permit is issued and building commences, the Township Code Enforcement Officer will have final jurisdiction over all phases of construction including, but not limited to, footers, framing, electrical, and structural elements.

During the construction process, you or your builder will notify the inspector to check on construction at certain times during the process.

 Plan review and inspection company fees must be paid when your building permit is issued. When the project is finished, the inspection company must do a final inspection and then notify the township that the job is complete and approved.  The Township Building Code Official will then issue the Certificate of Occupancy.

The MERCHANT understands that any work on a project that has not been approved by Rapho Township and/or the FAIRE must be removed at the MERCHANT’S expense.