Frequently Asked Questions

WHO NEEDS BUILDING CODES?

We all do - whether in our homes, offices, schools, stores, factories or places of entertainment; we rely on the safety of structures that surround us in our everyday living. The public’s need for protection from disaster due to fire, structural collapse and general deterioration underscores the need for modern codes and their administration.

BUT HOW RELIABLE ARE THEY?

Most aspects of building construction - electrical wiring, heating, sanitary facilities - represent a potential hazard to building occupants and users. Building codes provide safeguards. Although no single code can eliminate all risks, enforcing building codes to help reduce risks to an acceptable level helps ensure safety. 

WHAT ARE BUILDING CODES?

In simple terms, building codes are the government's official statement on building safety. Technically, they are a compendium of laws and ordinances setting minimum safety standards and arranged in a systematic manner and codified for easy reference. They embrace all aspects of building construction, including fire and structural items as well as the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems.

WHO USES BUILDING CODES?

All people are impacted during a building construction project, including architects and engineers, contractors and subcontractors, the manufacturers and distributors of building materials and, finally, the user or occupant of the building.

WHY INSPECT A BUILDING DURING CONSTRUCTION?

Inspecting a building during construction is the only way to verify independently that code compliance has been achieved. Did you know that before you moved into your home, office or factory an average of ten inspections had been completed to verify conformity to minimum standards affecting electrical safety and sanitation as well as structural and fire safety?

HOW ARE SAFE BUILDINGS ACHIEVED?

Safety is achieved through proper design and construction practice and a code administration program which verifies compliance. You, as a homeowner or business owner, have a substantial investment which can be seriously jeopardized through less-than-complete code enforcement or compliance.

WHY SHOULD MINIMUM SAFETY CODES APPLY TO MY HOUSE?

For several reasons:

• For your personal safety and that of your family and the guests invited into your home.
• To ensure the economic well-being of the community by reducing potential spread of fire and disease.
• For the conservation of energy.
• To protect future home purchasers who deserve reasonable assurance that the home they buy will be safe.

WHAT'S NEW WITH BUILDING CODE ENFORCEMENT?

The most recent assignment to building officials comes from the need to conserve energy use in buildings. Elected officials have established definite goals in the area of energy conservation, which can best be administered through the routine building regulatory system. Beyond the mere addition of insulation, energy-saving steps include new standards for appliance construction, new design concepts to conserve heat from lighting fixtures and a myriad of other approaches to minimize energy demands. Other innovations include such items as showerhead restrictors, setback thermostats and low-flush toilets. Steps have also been taken to facilitate solar-heating applications and the use of other alternative energy resources. Local building departments provide a wide range of services beyond the usual plan review and building inspection process. These range from the administration of planning or zoning laws to housing maintenance inspection, nuisance abatement and a number of other related or ancillary duties.

WHAT IS A BUILDING PERMIT?

A building permit is a license which grants legal permission to start construction of a building project.

WHAT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS NEED BUILDING PERMITS?

• New buildings
• Mobile homes
• Additions
• Electrical systems
• Renovations
• Plumbing systems-Allegheny County
• Demolitions
• HVAC systems
• Prefabricated structures
• Temporary structures/Sheds
• Misc. for residential (fireplace, pools, decks, fences, etc.)
• Misc. for commercial (parking, health, food handlng, etc.)

Permits allow the enforcement of codes which have been adopted as law by Moon Township. You have an investment in the home or business you are about to build or remodel. When that home or business does not comply with the codes, your investment could be reduced. Building permits provide the means for Code Officers to protect us by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and therefore ensuring the public health, safety, and welfare.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING PERMITS?

Permits allow the enforcement of the codes which have been adopted as law by a state, county, township or city. No matter what the specific project may be, the enforcement of codes is carried out to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare. The unit of government which enforces the code is acting to assure safe construction.

HOW DO CODE OFFICIALS USE PERMITS?

Code officials and inspectors use building permits as vital step in their enforcement of codes. Applying for a building permit notifies the Code Official that you are constructing or remodeling a building so he or she can ensure code compliance.

WHY DO YOU NEED A BUILDING PERMIT?

Building permits provide the means for Code Officials to protect us by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction and therefore ensuring the public’s health, safety and welfare. The building permit process helps us understand what our local laws and ordinances are. Before any construction or remodeling work begins, an application for a permit should be submitted to the local building inspector. Building permits provide the means for Code Officials to inspect construction to ensure that minimum standards are met and appropriate materials are used.