How Erie Handles Building Safety: A Practical Guide

Erie maintains 110 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with building safety. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Erie falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Childcare Center Rules

Since March 1, 2020, Erie has required every child-care facility to hold a certificate of occupancy from the Building Code Official, issued only after a joint building and fire inspection and a state compliance certificate.

Key details: C/O required since: March 1, 2020. Fee, 1-5 children: $100/year (1 inspection incl.). Fee, 6-12 children: $150/year. Fee, over 100 children: $500/year. Additional inspection fee: $65.

A facility found noncompliant with Article 332 or the Uniform Construction Code will not receive a certificate of occupancy and cannot be used for child care until it comes into compliance, per Section 332.09. Anyone violating Article 332 is subject to a fine of no more than $300 per Section 332.14, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense; the City Solicitor may also seek injunction, mandamus, or other legal or equitable enforcement action.

This is one of the stricter rules in Erie's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Electrical Permits

Any electrical work in Erie regulated by the Uniform Construction Code needs a permit from the Building Code Official before wiring begins, per City Code Section 1503.41(a). The Bureau of Building Standards and Safety charges a flat $25 administration and technology fee, then a service fee running from $50 for a 200-amp service up to $20 per additional 100 amps over 400 amps, per Section 1502.03.

Key details: Administration fee: $25 per electrical permit. 200-amp service fee: $50. 401+ amp service fee: $20 per 100 amps. No permit: fee doubled: $100 minimum penalty. Pool wiring inspection: $325 for first two trips.

Starting electrical work without the required permit doubles every fee due under the Permit Fee Schedule, with a minimum charge of $100, under City Code Section 1503.51. Paying the doubled fee does not excuse the contractor from bringing the work into compliance or from any other penalty the Uniform Construction Code allows. A Building Code Official or Fire Inspector can also issue a written stop-work order under Section 1503.52 halting the job until the listed conditions are met.

Plumbing Permits

Plumbing work in Erie regulated by the Uniform Construction Code needs a permit from the Building Code Official before work starts, per Section 1503.41(a). City Code Section 1502.04 charges a $25 administration fee plus fixture, sewer and water-heater fees that run from $50 for up to three fixtures to $100 for a commercial water or sewer line.

Key details: Admin/technology fee: $25 per plumbing permit. Up to 3 fixtures: $50 flat. Each additional fixture: $15. New building sewer: $50. New water/sewer line: $75 residential / $100 commercial.

Starting plumbing work without the required permit doubles every fee due under the Permit Fee Schedule, with a minimum charge of $100, under City Code Section 1503.51, and paying that doubled fee does not excuse the contractor from bringing the work into compliance with the Uniform Construction Code. A Building Code Official can also issue a written stop-work order under Section 1503.52 that lists the conditions needed before the job may resume.

Building Permits

Before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing or changing the occupancy of a residential building in Erie, or installing a covered electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the owner or an authorized agent must first apply to the Building Code Official and obtain a permit, per City Code Section 1503.41(a).

Key details: Permit required before: Construction, alteration, demolition, occupancy change. Admin/technology fee: $25 per application. Construction fee over $2,000: $7 per $1,000 excess. C/O inspection fee: $100. Decision deadline: 30 business days.

Building or occupying a property in Erie without first getting the required permit doubles every fee that would otherwise apply, with a minimum penalty of $100, under Section 1503.51. That doubled fee does not excuse the work from meeting Uniform Construction Code requirements or shield the owner from any other penalty the Code allows. A Building Code Official or Fire Inspector can also issue a written stop-work order under Section 1503.52 that lists the conditions the owner must meet before construction may resume.

Building Inspections

Erie requires a construction code official, or a Fire Inspector for fire code items, to inspect permitted work at each stage, with the permit holder responsible for notifying the inspector and keeping the work accessible, per City Code Section 1503.35. A final inspection report must confirm compliance in general building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, accessibility, fire protection and energy conservation before a certificate of occupancy issues.

Key details: Inspecting official: City construction code official. Fire inspections: Fire Inspector only (Article 1501). Final inspection categories: 7: building, electrical, plumbing, accessibility, fire, mechanical, energy. C/O issued within: 5 business days of passing final inspection. Residential inspection stages: Foundation, systems, frame/masonry, wallboard.

An inspection passing does not bar the City from later prosecuting or taking other legal action for a Uniform Construction Code violation discovered afterward, under Section 1503.44(a). If a construction code official or Fire Inspector finds a building, structure or equipment unsafe on reinspection after a compliance deadline, the Building Code Official may order it vacated or closed under Section 1503.55, and that order can only be lifted once the owner corrects the unsafe condition.

Elevator Maintenance

Erie's own code hands elevator regulation to the Commonwealth: Section 1503.72 adopts the Uniform Construction Code's elevator and lifting-device standards in 34 Pa. Code Chapter 405, but assigns administration to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry rather than the City's Building Code Official. The Department, not Erie, can seal an unsafe elevator and is the only entity that may clear that seal.

Key details: Adopting section: City Code § 1503.72. Governing state code: 34 Pa. Code, Chapter 405. Administering agency: PA Dept. of Labor and Industry. Unsafe-elevator seal authority: Department only (§ 1503.55(f)). Applies without exception to: Health care facilities.

Because the Department of Labor and Industry administers elevator compliance, an unsafe elevator in Erie is addressed by a Department seal under Section 105(c)(1) of the Act rather than a City stop-work order, and only the Department can authorize removing that seal once the condition is corrected, per Section 1503.55(f). An owner who tries to keep a sealed elevator running anyway is operating equipment the Commonwealth, not the City, has closed.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Erie gives residents more flexibility on elevator maintenance.

The Bottom Line

Erie's building safety rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Erie is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Erie can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.