10 North 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 255-3040
Bureau of Codes
Bureau of Codes
About Us
The primary mission of the Harrisburg City Bureau of Codes is to ensure the safety of its residents by adhering to the building standards of Pennsylvania, enforcing the legislation approved by City Council and demonstrating a professional approach to every task. Inspections of construction processes, rentals, complaints and violations have all proven to enhance our efforts as part of our mission.The Bureau processes all permits related to building construction and performs inspections required for building construction. We also issue licenses for electrician’s, plumber’s, rooming houses and oversee the Residential Rental Property Ordinance.
The Bureau Health Officer enforces all state and local health code provisions relating to food establishments and also lead-based paint hazards in residential structures. Health licenses are issued for all food establishments.
The City Fire Code is found in E-Code 360.
Current Codes
Effective January 1, 2026 as amended and adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the City of Harrisburg follows the codes as set forth by the PA UCC.Codes set forth by the PA UCC are the following:
2021 IRC, ISPSC, IECC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IEBC, IBC, IFC only where referenced in IBC Ch. 35. 2020 NEC (NFPA-2020) and the ICC A117.1- 2009
Contact the Deputy Codes Administrator for additional information at 717-255-6553.
Please reference the attachment for a printable list of all current codes
FAQs
For heating complaints, you can contact the Bureau of Codes office; an inspector will be contacted immediately. At which time, the codes inspector will contact the landlord who will be given 24 hours to provide some form of heating. A landlord/tenant complaint form will need to be submitted for all other complaints. Please be advised, we do not take care of any mold issues, but will check for leaks that cause mold.
If the property is condemned you must secure permits to lift the condemnation within 30 days of purchase. If the property is not condemned you must register as a rental unit within 10 days of purchase. Forms for both are posted above.
Yes, as long as all the pertinent information and permit fees accompany your application. Your permit application will then be processed in the order it was received. Applications should be sent to: The Martin Luther King Government Center, Bureau of Codes, 10 N 2nd Street, Suite 205, Harrisburg, Pa. 17101.
In accordance with the adopted Statewide Building Code, residential permit applications must be approved within 15 business days, 5 days if it is stamped by a licensed design professional. Additional time if Historic Review Board is required. Commercial permit applications must be approved within 30 business days, additional time if Zoning or Historic Board review is required.
You may take out permits as you go, it’s called fast tracking, securing progressive permits for each phase of construction. As long as each phase has passed progressive inspections you may continue fast tracking until the job’s completion.
You should Visit the City Engineering Office at 1002 N. 7th St. Harrisburg or contact by phone at: 717-255-3091
You must contact the Capital Region Water at 888-510-0606.
You must send the current contractor a certified letter stating their removal from the project with a copy of such being sent to the Bureau of Codes Administration. Your new contractor will be required to secure a new permit for the work with the knowledge that they will be assuming full responsibility for all past and future work on the project.
You need to contact Parking Enforcement for more information at 717-255-3040.
Your project may require further review and approval by the City’s Planning Bureau to assure compliance with historic standards. You would have to contact the City’s Planning Bureau at 255-6419.
It will depend on the nature of the work proposed. If it is new construction or extensive rehabilitation you will need to contact the Bureau of Planning for approval. If your work involves either repair or replacement of building components then a standard building permit will suffice.
Your building permit will expire after 6 months if work is not continuous. In this case you will have to reapply for a new building permit.
Permits are required for the following:
- Installing or replacing electrical wires-must be a master electrician licensed to work in the city
- Installing or replacing plumbing pipes-must be a master plumber licensed to work in the city
- Any work exceeding $1000.00
- Roofing
- New or replacing a fence
- New or replacing a shed
- New or replacing an exterior deck
- Replacement windows and doors
- Any structural work on a building
- Mechanical installations ie: new furnace
- Additions or alterations to any existing building or structure
- Adding solar panels to a building or erecting freestanding array of solar panels
- Converting an unfinished space into habitable space
- Constructing or renovating swimming pool, hot tub or spa
- Constructing a sport court, ie: basketball or tennis court
- Renovation of a residential building
- Retaining walls 4 feet or greater in height
- Changing the use and occupancy type of any building or tenant space within an existing building
- Signs, both attached to a building or detached
- Demolition of any existing building or structure
- Constructing any new building or structure
A trade license is required for:
Electrical work
Plumbing work
Electrical work
Plumbing work
All contractors doing work in the city of Harrisburg must have a Business Privilege License
Yes, emergency repairs or replacement of equipment may be made without first applying for a permit if a permit application is submitted to the building code official within 3 business days of the repair or replacement.