Building Safety in Erie, PA (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Erie, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Erie Elevators Regulated by State, Not City Code
Few RestrictionsCity of Erie Codified Ordinances § 1503.72 (Elevators and other lifting devices)
The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapter 405, as amended from time to time is adopted by the City of Erie, however will be administered by the Department of Labor and Industry.
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.
Erie Child-Care Facility Certificate of Occupancy Rules
Significant RestrictionsCodified Ordinances of the City of Erie, PA, Article 332, § 332.03
From and after March 1, 2020, no person shall operate a child-care facility unless he/she holds a child-care facility certificate of occupancy ("C/O") issued by the Building Code Official.
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).
When Erie Requires a Building Permit
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie Codified Ordinances § 1503.41(a) (Permit requirements and exemptions)
An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a residential building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the Building Code Official and obtain the required permit under Secti...
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.
Erie Electrical Permit Fees Scale With Amperage
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie Codified Ordinances § 1502.03 (Electrical permit fees)
§ 1502.03. Electrical permit fees. ... (a) Administration and Technology Fee $25 (b) Service and Feeders 200 amp or less $50 201 amp to 400 amp $85 Over 400 amp $20 per 100 amp Sub-feeders or sub panels Over 600 volt $25 Additional meter $10 ... (f) Miscellaneous ... Emergencies and weekend call-out inspections $300 Pool inspections - two trips $325 Third and each additional trip $50
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.
Erie Plumbing Permit Fees by Fixture and Line
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie Codified Ordinances § 1502.04 (Plumbing permit fees)
§ 1502.04. Plumbing permit fees. ... (a) Administration and technology fee: $25. ... (b) Fixture fee (for each plumbing fixture and waste discharging device): (1) Up to three fixtures: $50. (2) Each additional fixture: $15. (c) Each new or reconstructed building sewer included in the plan: $50. (d) Each new, reconstructed or replaced sanitary sewer, stormwater, water service, gas service or wat...
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.
Erie Building Inspections From Foundation to Final
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie Codified Ordinances § 1503.35 (Inspections)
A construction code official employed or under contract with the City of Erie shall perform inspections to insure that the construction complies with the approved permit and the Uniform Construction Code, except that Fire Code inspections shall be conducted, and permits issued, by a qualified Fire Code Inspector as defined in Article 1501 of this code. ... A construction code official and Fire ...