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Codes & Zoning - Residential

The Borough of Phoenixville divides Permitting, Code Enforcement and Zoning into two distinct categories: Residential and Commercial. You can view the Zoning Maps here.

Before completing your project you should download the Residential Plan Submission Checklist to make sure you have all of the needed items.

This page contains information of the Residential side, the Commercial information can be found here.

Not all work being done in or on a residential requires a permit. An ORDINARY repair does not require a permit.
> List of Ordinary Repairs NOT requiring a permit <

If your project might involve any items on this list, be sure to read the associated PDF document prior to starting your work. All links in this list are in PDF format.

Residential Permit applications are available for:

The following items ARE NOT considered Ordinary Repairs and WILL REQUIRE the owner to obtain the appropriate permit.

  • Cutting away a wall, partition or portion of a wall
  • The removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support
  • The removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements
  • The addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical.

A permit is not required for the installation, alteration or repair of generation, transmission, distribution, metering or other related equipment that is, by established right, under the ownership and control of a public utility as the term “public utility” is defined in 66 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to the definitions).

Click here if you would like to download a PDF of the "Permit Not Required" document as listed below.

The following items DO NOT require a permit except where noted.

I. Building Construction:

  • Exterior or interior painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, flooring, and similar finishing work.

The term does not include swimming pools or spas (See "Residential Permit Not Required - Details Document")

  • Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
  • Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling.
  • Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
  • Replacement of glass in any window or door. The replacement glass shall comply with the minimum requirements of the “International Residential Code.”
  • Installation and replacement of a window, door, garage door, storm window and storm door in the same opening if the dimensions or framing of the original opening are not altered. The installation of means of egress and emergency escape windows may be made in the same opening, without altering the dimensions or framing of the original opening if the required height, width or net clear opening of the previous window or door assembly is not reduced.
  • Replacement of existing roof material that does not exceed 25% of the total roof area performed within any 12-month period.
  • Repair or replacement of any part of a porch or stoop which does not structurally support a roof located above the porch or stop.
  • Installation of additional roll or batt insulation.
  • Replacement of exterior rainwater gutters and leaders.

II. Minor electrical work for the following:

  • Replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
  • Replacement of a receptacle, switch or lighting fixture rated at 20 amps or less and operating at less than 150 volts to ground with a like or similar item. This does not include replacement of receptacles in locations where ground-fault circuit interrupter protection is required.
  • Replacement of installed electrically operated equipment such as doorbells, communication systems and any motor operated device.
  • Installation, alteration or rearrangement of communications wiring.
  • Replacement of dishwashers.
  • Replacement of kitchen range hoods.
  • Installation of battery-powered smoke detectors.

III. The following gas work:

  • Portable heating, cooking or portable clothes drying appliances.
  • Replacement of a minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make this equipment unsafe.
  • A portable fuel cell appliance that is not connected to a fixed piping system and is not interconnected to a power grid.

IV. The following mechanical work or equipment:

  • A portable heating appliance.
  • Portable ventilation appliances.
  • A portable cooling unit.
  • Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment governed under the Uniform Construction Code.
  • Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make the equipment unsafe.
  • Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant or that are put into action by motors one horsepower.
  • Portable evaporative cooler.
  • A portable fuel cell appliance that is not connected to a fixed piping system and is not interconnected to a power grid.

V. The following plumbing work:

  • Replacement of bib valves if the replacement hose bib valves are provided with an approved atmospheric vacuum breaker.
  • Refinishing of existing fixtures.
  • Replacement of ball cocks.
  • Repair of leaks.
  • Clearance of stoppages.
  • Replacement of faucets or working parts of faucets.
  • Replacement of traps.
  • Replacements of a water closet, lavatory or kitchen sink in an existing location.
  • Replacement of domestic clothes washers and dishwashers.

VI. The following heating, ventilation and air conditioning work:

  • Replacement of motors, pumps and fans of the same capacity.
  • Repair and replacement of heating, supply and return piping and radiation elements, which do not require rearrangement of the piping system.
  • Repair and replacement of ductwork.
  • Repair and replacement of air conditioning equipment and systems.
  • Repair and replacement of control devices for heating and air conditioning equipment.
  • Replacement of kitchen range hoods with same capacity hood.
  • Replacement of clothes dryers if there is no change in fuel type, location or electrical requirements.
  • Replacement of stoves and ovens if there is no change in fuel type, location or electrical characteristics.

Any work not listed above requires the appropriate permit from the Borough of Phoenixville.

The following building construction requires a Use and Occupancy Permit

  • Installation of an uncovered deck where the floor of the deck is no more than 30 inches above grade.
  • Any agricultural building.
  • Utility and miscellaneous use structures that are accessory to detached one-family dwellings having a building area less than 500 square feet. The term includes:
    • Carports
    • Detached private garages
    • Greenhouses
    • Shed

Click here if you would like to download a PDF of the "Residential Required Constructions Document List" as listed below.

Click here to view the Residential Fee Schedule

RESIDENTIAL REQUIRED CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT LIST

All plans must be signed and sealed by the registered design professional responsible for this work.

ZONING APPROVAL: Copies of all zoning variances must be supplied at time of permits submission.

SITE PLAN: Scaled drawing, which shows the size and location of all new construction and all existing structures and impervious coverage on the site. Distances from the structure(s) to lot lines and to other structures on the property.

STORM WATER MANAGEMENT: Scaled drawings for storm water quality controls showing details, size and location of facilities for all new impervious and building coverage on the site. Applicants that do not meet the requirements for storm water management exemption criterion must apply for a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Permit.

SOILS REPORT: Results of soil investigation that determines the allowable soil bearing pressure to be used by the design professional in the foundation design. Building Official will determine if report is required.

SPECIFICATIONS: Manufacturer installation instructions for all appliances and equipment to be installed.

ARCHITECTURAL: Dimensioned plans ¼ or 1/8 in. scale for each floor level that shows room layouts and use of space. Also includes elevation views; wall sections; schedules for window, door and finishes; stair dimension and details, such as, riser height, tread width, guard/handrail height and headroom dimension. Plans must be signed and sealed by the registered design professional responsible for this work.

STRUCTURAL: Typical floor and roof framing plans. The plan(s) shall include details of connections, size of members, materials to be used, grade and species of all material, all the information required to erect the joists, beams, rafters, columns, or girders within the structure. A registered engineer must seal all structural plans.

FOUNDATION: Included on the dimensional plan are the allowable soil bearing pressure, the depth of the foundation, and the proposed materials to construct the foundation.

FIRE PROTECTION: When required, the construction documents may include a submission for the automatic fire suppression system, the fire alarm system, smoke control system, single/multiple station detectors.

MECHANICAL: Location, size and listed/labeled information for all equipment and appliances that comprise parts of the buildings mechanical system. Ventilation and exhaust calculations, schedules, supply and exhaust ductwork, chimney termination, materials, and any other information required to complete the buildings HVAC system.

PLUMBING: Includes isometric riser diagrams for the potable water supply and the drain waste and vent systems with the location and materials specified for all the piping and fixtures within the plumbing system. Also details of special devices (backflow preventer, grease traps, etc.) shall be shown. Storm water drainage calculations and devices shall be included in the submission. Floor drains may not be connected to the public sewer system.

ELECTRICAL: Service entrance conductors, grounding, and over current protection location, material methods and methods, disconnect location and type, load calculations of all electrical devices and the location of emergency lighting and exit signs.

ENERGY: All plan submissions must include energy calculations based on the International Energy Code and using the Res-Check Software Program. The Program is free and downloadable from http://www.energycodes.gov/rescheck/

NOTE: See the PLAN SUBMISSION STANDARDS section for additional requirements.

Click here if you would like to download a PDF of the "Residential Inspection Requirements" as listed below.

Residential Inspection Requirements

For inspection appointments, please call 610-935-5635

(The Borough of Phoenixville may require other inspections as deemed necessary in the field.)

  1. A minimum of 48 hours notice shall be provided to the Building Inspector for the purpose of scheduling inspections.
  2. Required inspections including but not limited to shall be as follows:
    1. Footings, walls and slabs prior to placement of concrete. Concrete shall not be released until inspection is completed.
    2. Exterior sheathing.
    3. Electrical, service, rough wiring and final: Performed by an approved third party inspection agency.
    4. Framing of all walls, prior to concealment. Framing inspections will not be done until all mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection material is installed.
    5. Insulation.
    6. Fire stopping and wallboard inspection.
    7. Plumbing inspection, rough and final.
    8. Final inspection/Use and occupancy inspection. This inspection must be completed prior to the the occupancy of the building.
  3. Special inspections may be required for the following items:
    1. Soils.
    2. Concrete construction, including footings and slab placement, mix and proper strength.
    3. Masonry.
    4. Steel.
    5. Welding.
    6. E.I.F.S. (if applicable).

Above inspections shall be conducted by an approved inspection agency.

Report requirement:

Special inspectors shall keep records of all inspections. The special inspector shall furnish inspection reports to the code official on a weekly basis, and to the registered design professional in responsible charge. All discrepancies shall be brought to the immediate attention of the contractor for correction and noted on the daily report. If the discrepancies are not corrected, the discrepancies shall be brought to the attention of the code official and to the registered design professional in responsible charge prior to the completion of that phase of the work.

A final report of inspections documenting completion of all required special inspections and correction of any discrepancies noted in the inspections shall be submitted prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Interim reports shall be submitted periodically at a frequency agreed upon by the permit applicant and the code official prior to the start of work.

All work shall be conducted in a professional and workmanlike manner consistent with all Borough of Phoenixville Codes, as well as Pennsylvania and Federal regulations.