Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code sets the statewide permit threshold and engineering standards for retaining walls regardless of municipality.
Under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. 7210.101 et seq.) and 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403, retaining walls over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or any wall supporting a surcharge, require a building permit and engineered design under the International Building and Residential Codes. This threshold applies in all Pennsylvania municipalities that enforce the UCC. Walls under 4 feet without surcharge are exempt from permit, though local zoning and stormwater rules may still apply.
Pennsylvania UCC violations carry fines up to $1,000 per offense under 35 P.S. 7210.903, plus stop-work orders and required removal or reconstruction. Failed walls causing damage may trigger civil liability and insurance claims.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Scranton, PA
Scranton's Code of Ordinances Chapter 169 (Animals) caps the total combined number of dogs and cats over three months of age at six (6) per residential lot o...
Scranton, PA
Scranton's local wildlife-feeding enforcement runs through Chapter 169 nuisance provisions of the Code of Ordinances and property-maintenance rules against a...
Scranton, PA
Scranton addresses animal hoarding through two overlapping frameworks: (1) Chapter 169 of the Code of Ordinances, which prohibits keeping animals in a manner...
Scranton, PA
Scranton's Code of Ordinances Chapter 169 addresses dangerous and at-large animals through nuisance and restraint provisions, and the Scranton Zoning Ordinan...
Scranton, PA
Scranton's Code of Ordinances Chapter 169 (Animals) does not contain an express urban-beekeeping framework, and bees are not listed as a permitted accessory ...
Scranton, PA
Scranton does not have a breed-specific ordinance and cannot enact one. Pennsylvania's Dog Law at 3 P.S. Section 459-507-A(c) preempts local breed bans: a lo...
See how Scranton's retaining walls rules stack up against other locations.
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