Building Safety in Upper Darby, PA (2026)
7 verified building safety rules for Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Upper Darby requires an NFPA 13D fire sprinkler system and an NFPA 72 fire alarm system throughout any group living quarters use, an added life-safety mandate imposed as a condition of the zoning special exception, not a general single-family rule.
Fire Sprinklers Required for Group Homes
Significant RestrictionsUpper Darby Code § 550-43B(8)
(8) Notwithstanding any provisions of the Upper Darby Township Building Code, the group living quarters shall have the following installed throughout the building and any attached accessory building(s): (a) A fire sprinkler system which complies with NFPA 13D "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two- Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes," or the current correspondi...
Green Building Code
Upper Darby has no mandatory green building code. Instead, § 550-23G(1) of the zoning ordinance dangles up to 40 feet of extra building height in the Traditional Downtown Business (C-3) District for developers who volunteer green features, including a 70%-coverage green roof or a written commitment to a LEED-NC or EB Silver rating.
Upper Darby's Voluntary Green Building Bonus
Few RestrictionsUpper Darby Code § 550-23G(1) (Table 5-2)
(1) Height bonus. Projects in the C-3 District shall qualify for a maximum of 40 feet of additional building height in exchange for a combination of the bonus features listed in Table 5-2. ... Green building design: The applicant must submit a letter of intent that communicates its commitment to achieve a LEED-NC or EB Silver Rating or similar standard on its building. Within 90 days of receivi...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Upper Darby requires carbon monoxide alarms outside bedrooms in any dwelling unit that has fuel-fired appliances or an attached garage. Schools with fuel-fired equipment in or near classrooms carry the same requirement, unless the building already has a CO detection system installed.
Upper Darby Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirement
Some RestrictionsUpper Darby Code § 417-11(YY) (IPMC § 704.3)
Section 704.3 Carbon Monoxide Alarms. 704.3.1 Dwelling Units Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in dwellings outside of bedrooms, in any dwelling unit within which fuel-fired appliances are installed, or that have attached garages. 704.3.2 Group E Occupancies Carbon monoxide alarms or combination smoke/co alarms shall be installed in any classrooms within which fuel-fired appliances are ...
Building Permits
Upper Darby requires a separate permit for every structure on a parcel, with building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire and energy permits all issued separately. The minimum permit fee is $179.50, scaling up with project value under the Department of Licenses and Inspection's fee schedule.
Upper Darby Building Permit Fee Requirements
Some RestrictionsUpper Darby Code § 290-3B
Building permits. The following fees are established for permits for repairs, alterations, and additions to residential, commercial, and industrial buildings: (1) Minimum permit fee: $179.50. (a) A separate permit is required for each structure located on a parcel. (b) Building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire, and energy permits shall be issued separately. (c) Permit fees shall be calcu...
Electrical Permits
Upper Darby enforces the ICC Electrical Code as part of its adopted Uniform Construction Code, and only a licensed master electrician representing a contracting company may apply for an electrical permit, after passing a Township-approved competency exam.
Upper Darby Electrical Permit Licensing Rule
Some RestrictionsUpper Darby Code § 265-6B
All contractors wishing to license themselves as plumbing or electrical contractors must first show competency in the plumbing or electrical trade, as the case may be, by employing individuals who have received a master plumber's or electrician's license. Only the master plumber or electrician himself representing the company can apply for plumbing or electrical permits. To receive a master plu...
Plumbing Permits
Upper Darby enforces the International Plumbing Code as part of its adopted Uniform Construction Code, with plumbing permit fees set by the Township Fee Ordinance and specific local dimensional insertions, including a 36-inch clearance figure, written directly into the code text.
Upper Darby Plumbing Code Adoption and Fees
Some RestrictionsUpper Darby Code § 262-3G
International Plumbing Code. (1) Section 101.1: "Upper Darby Township." (2) Section 106.6.2: "See Township Fee Ordinance, as same may be amended from time to time." ... (5) Section 305.6.1: "36 inches." (6) Section 904.1: "12."
Building Inspections
Before any property in Upper Darby changes hands, it must pass a municipal inspection, and the outcome sets which certificate the buyer gets: a full use and occupancy certificate for no violations, a temporary certificate for minor violations, or a temporary access certificate that bars occupancy where a substantial violation is found.
Upper Darby Pre-Sale Building Inspection Stages
Some RestrictionsUpper Darby Code § 454-17
§ 454-17. Use and occupancy permit. The Township representative shall issue a certificate of occupancy in the following manner: A. As soon as practicable if the municipal inspection reveals no violations. B. If the municipal inspection reveals at least one violation but no substantial violations, the municipality shall issue a temporary use and occupancy certificate. C. If the municipal inspect...
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