Building Safety in Allentown, PA (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Allentown's Bureau of Health can enter and test any dwelling for lead paint on probable cause, and must post a warning notice on any unit found to have a lead source health hazard. Owners face a written violation notice, mandatory lead hazard reduction work, and a stop-work order for noncompliance under Chapter 364.
Allentown Lead Paint Hazard Notice Rules
Significant RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code § 364-5 (Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control)
The Bureau shall report the findings of a lead source health hazard immediately to all occupants of the affected dwelling unit(s) and to the owner and/or operator of the building as soon as possible. The Bureau shall cause to have prominently posted on all entrances to the said dwelling unit(s) a notice as follows: THIS DWELLING UNIT CONTAINS DANGEROUS AMOUNTS OF LEAD PAINT AND IS UNFIT FOR HAB...
Childcare Center Rules
Before anyone builds, remodels, or converts a building into an Allentown child-care center, the Bureau of Health must review and approve site plans, a traffic-flow diagram, and construction specs, and building permits cannot issue until that approval is on file. A center then needs an annual Bureau of Health operational certificate, at least one inspection a year, and must meet detailed indoor-space, play-area, and staff-ratio standards before it can legally open.
Allentown Child-Care Centers: Building & Certificate Rules
Significant RestrictionsAllentown, PA Code of Ordinances § 213-5 (Ch. 213, Child-Care Facilities, Art. II)
Submission of plans. Whenever a child-care center is constructed or extensively remodeled and whenever an existing structure is converted to use as a child-care center, properly prepared plans, including a site plan and traffic flow diagram, and specifications for such construction, remodeling or conversion shall be submitted to the Bureau of Health for review and approval before construction, ...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Every Allentown child-care facility must keep working carbon monoxide detectors on site, not just smoke alarms. Section 213-6.G requires both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to be present and functioning in accordance with the City's Fire Codes, and the same fire-safety section layers on unobstructed exits, restricted portable space heaters, and a working fire extinguisher.
Allentown Child-Care Centers Must Have CO Detectors
Some RestrictionsAllentown, PA Code of Ordinances § 213-6.G (Ch. 213, Child-Care Facilities, Art. II, Fire Safety)
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors shall be present and functioning in accordance with City of Allentown Fire Codes.
Building Permits
Allentown requires a permit for construction, alteration, enlargement, repair or demolition of any building, plus attached electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire suppression and alarm systems, signs or tanks. Residential applications cost $50 to file, commercial $100.
When Allentown Requires a Building Permit
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code §§ 225-1 and 270-31 (amended 4-16-2025 by Ord. No. 16124)
§ 270-31. Building fees. Building fees shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure, and any electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire suppression and alarm systems, signs, or tanks connected or attached to, or detached from, such buildings, structu...
Electrical Permits
Electrical work in Allentown falls under the adopted Uniform Construction Code, and every electrician working in the city needs a City license. A master electrician license runs $90 a year, with separate tiers for residential, journeyman and special electricians.
Allentown Electrical Permits and Electrician Licensing
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code §§ 225-1 and 270-32 (Ord. No. 16124, amended 4-16-2025)
§ 225-1. Adoption of Uniform Construction Code. The City of Allentown... hereby adopts the Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 to 405, as may be amended from time to time, as the Building Code of the City of Allentown... § 270-32. Electrician's license fees. B. The yearly electrician's license fees, renewable January 1 through January 31 each year, shall be: Master ...
Plumbing Permits
Allentown enforces plumbing work under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, and anyone doing plumbing in the city must hold a City plumber's license. A master plumber license costs $90 a year, a journeyman's $60, both renewable by January 31.
Allentown Plumbing Permits and Plumber Licensing
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code §§ 225-1 and 270-34 (Ord. No. 16124, amended 4-16-2025)
§ 225-1. Adoption of Uniform Construction Code. The City of Allentown, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. § 7210.101 to 7210.1103, as may be amended from time to time and its regulations, hereby adopts the Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 to 405, as may be amended from time to time, as the Building Code of the City of Allentow...
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