Building Safety in Scranton, PA (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Scranton, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Scranton bans applying lead paint or any lead-bearing substance over 0.5% lead by weight to interior surfaces, or to exterior surfaces kids can reach, anywhere children live or spend time, under § 278-3 of the Hazardous Substances Control Ordinance. The Director of Public Health can order removal within 10 days once a hazard is confirmed, and landlords can't evict a family with children to dodge the cleanup.
Scranton Lead Paint Prohibition Rules
Significant RestrictionsScranton City Code § 278-3
It shall be unlawful for any person in the city to use or apply or cause to be used or applied lead paint, as defined in this Article, or any substance containing lead in excess of five-tenths percent (0.5%) by weight to interior surfaces and to those exterior surfaces accessible to children of any premises, dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit or facility occupied or used by ch...
Childcare Center Rules
Scranton requires anyone operating a child or adult day-care center to pass a City inspection and hold an annual $250 license from the Department of Community Development. Inspectors check compliance with the City's building codes before issuing the license, and give up to 40 days to fix any deficiencies found.
Scranton Day-Care Center Inspection Rules
Some RestrictionsScranton City Code § 212-2(A), (C)
Any person or operator of a child day-care center or facility within the City of Scranton, either within 30 days after the effective date of this article, if operating or in existence on the day this article becomes effective; or any person or operator wishing to establish or operate a child day-care center or facility with the City of Scranton after the effective date of this article, shall ar...
Building Permits
Scranton requires a Bureau of Code Enforcement permit before any construction, alteration, addition, removal or demolition of a building or structure, and before installing or altering equipment like heating, gas or electrical systems. Permit fees are tiered by project cost, from $25 under $300 up to $9,240 plus for work over $1 million.
Scranton Building Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsScranton City Code § 203-7(B)
It shall be unlawful to construct, alter, repair, add to, remove or demolish or to commence the construction, alteration, repair, addition, removal or demolition of a building or structure or to install, repair, alter, enlarge or replace any equipment related to the operation of a building or structure, including gas, electric or water appliances, heating systems, ventilating systems, air-condi...
Electrical Permits
Scranton has adopted the 2008 National Electric Code as part of its Uniform Construction Code, and every electrical installation permit application must be filed by a licensed master electrician. Residential electrical inspection fees start at $41.25 for the first $1,000 of work and rise $8.25 per additional $1,000.
Scranton Electrical Permits and the NEC
Some RestrictionsScranton City Code § 201-1(Q); § 203-7(C)
National Electric Code, 2008 edition, as published in the 2008 National Electric Code, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), as may be amended from time to time. ... An application for a permit for an electrical installation must be filed by a master electrician.
Plumbing Permits
Scranton requires a permit before any plumbing installation, adopted under the 2009 International Plumbing Code, and the permit application for plumbing or heating work must be filed specifically by a licensed master plumber or mechanical contractor, not just any contractor.
Scranton Plumbing Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsScranton City Code §§ 201-1K, 203-7C
International Plumbing Code, 2009 edition, as published in the 2009 International Plumbing Code, published by the International Code Council, Inc., as may be amended from time to time. ... An application for a permit for a plumbing or heating installation must be filed by a master plumber or mechanical contractor.
Building Inspections
Scranton runs a two-stage building inspection process before a certificate of occupancy issues: a general inspection, then a final inspection once work is complete. The Bureau of Code Enforcement can also reinspect any building at any time and order unsafe conditions fixed within 48 hours.
Scranton Building Inspection Stages
Some RestrictionsScranton City Code § 203-12(A)
For any new or existing commercial or residential building or space which requests or requires a certificate of occupancy a general inspection shall first be performed. Upon completion of the building, structure or space and before issuance of the certificate of occupancy, a final inspection shall be made. When the building or structure has been deemed to be in compliance with the Pennsylvania ...