Bensalem, PA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 66-1 adopts the International Building Code, First Edition 2000, and the International One and Two Family Dwelling Code, 2000 Edition, as the Bensalem Township Building Code of 2001, subject to the amendments listed in Section 66-2 and to any stricter Pennsylvania statute or regulation, which always controls over the local or model code. Section 66-2 renames the enforcing office as the Department of Building and Planning, headed by a Director of Building and Planning appointed by the Mayor with Council's advice and consent, and amends Section 108.2 of the adopted code to require a fee for every plan examination, building permit, and inspection under the Township's fee schedule.

Section 108.4, added by the same amendment, triples all permit fees for any application submitted or permit obtained after construction, repair, alteration, removal, or demolition has already started. Section 66-3 separately bars issuance of any building permit for new construction or an addition containing a dwelling unit, and bars any occupancy permit, unless smoke detectors required by the chapter are installed and working. Section 66-4 has the Township elect to administer the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, 34 P.S. Chapters 401-405 and the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, 35 P.S. §§ 7210.101-7210.1103, as the Township's building code, enforced either by a Township Building Code Official, a retained third-party agency, or an intermunicipal agreement, with a Board of Appeals to hear code interpretation disputes.