The major categories of duties and responsibilities of the Greenville Code Enforcement Department can be summarized as follows: 

1. The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) – The borough’s code officials perform plan reviews and inspections of all building projects that fall under the purview of the recently adopted and state mandated building code.  In order to universally and consistently protect the health, safety, and welfare of all its residents, the state, in 2004, adopted a code with minimum building requirements.  Local municipalities may enact stricter requirements with the state’s permission.  The state mandates that code officials be certified or registered and receive regular training.  George Pangas and Dale Wilson perform these duties for the borough through the building permit process.
   

2. Greenville Property Maintenance Codes and Ordinances – Over the years, borough council has enacted ordinances which set standards for the maintenance of properties within the borough.  The maintenance items include, but are not limited to, high grass, garbage and accumulations, abandoned vehicles, sidewalks, and substandard building conditions.  The borough also regulates the erection of signs in both residential and commercial areas.  Code enforcement gladly receives complaints (by phone, mail or in-person) about properties that are in violation.  We follow-up with an inspection and if the complaint is valid, we issue a violation notice.  When property owners do not comply, we file a criminal complaint with the district justice and schedule a hearing.  We encourage tenants who believe they are occupying a dwelling unit in a substandard condition to contact code enforcement for an inspection.
   

3. Borough Permits – In addition to the state mandated UCC permits, code enforcement issues permits for construction that does not fall under the UCC, for demolition of buildings, for the erection of signs, and for certain activities that fall under the zoning ordinance.  If someone is unsure as to whether an upcoming project requires a permit, please don’t ask a contractor, friend, relative, or the person sitting nearby - just call the code office.
   

4. Zoning Ordinance – Zoning regulates land use which includes the permitted principle and accessory uses for the property, lot size, building area and height, and setback requirements.  Zoning issues are taken into consideration during the permit process.  Zoning is critical to some activities and can be complicated so please call the code office for help. The Zoning Ordinance documentation can be found here, and the Zoning Map here.
   

5. General Assistance and CDBG Delivery – The code office offers general advice on building or repair projects, code or zoning questions, and neighborhood issues.  Remember we are not lawyers, engineers, or psychiatrists but the guidance is free and some would say well worth it.  The staff of code enforcement also assists in the delivery of Community Development Block Grant eligible projects to the low-moderate income families in the borough.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 

(Q) What projects require a permit? 

(A)  Well, it is easier to list the items that do not require a permit.  A permit is NOT required for the following, provided the work does not violate a law or ordinance. 

• Sidewalks and driveways that are less than 30 inches above grade.
  

• Exterior/interior painting, tiling, carpeting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, finish work.
  

• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep.
  

• Residential swings and playground equipment.
  

• Window awnings that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall.
  

• Replacement of code complaint glass in a window or door.
  

• Installation of replacement windows/doors in the existing rough opening.  Windows in bedrooms may not be reduced below code requirements.
  

• Replacement of less than 25% of the total roof area.  Replacement of an accessory structure roof regardless of area.
  

• Replacement of existing siding or adding siding to a structure that is already sided.

• Replacement of deck or porch decking/flooring.  Replacement of structural framework requires a permit.
  

• Installation of insulation.
  

• Replacement of gutters and downspouts.
  

• Replacement of a switch, receptacle, or lighting fixture on a circuit of 20 amps/150 volts or less.
  

• Replacement/installation of electrical/gas appliances, communications equipment, door bells, and battery powered smoke detectors.

• Replacement of parts that do not alter the equipment or make it unsafe.
  

• Installation of portable appliances.
  

• Replacement of fixtures, faucets, and of equivalent water heaters, repairing of leaks and worn parts, and clearing of stoppages.
  

• Replacement of mechanical equipment with an equivalent type and furnaces of the same fuel source and chimney requirements.  Repair/replacement of ductwork.
  

• Cutting the grass, pruning bushes, and retrieving the mail.

(Q)  How does one get a permit?

(A)   Call the code office for an appointment, fill out the application, pay the fee, do the work, and call for the appropriate inspections.

(Q)   I’m really mad at code enforcement.  Will yelling at the code secretary, making rude and nasty comments to her, help my case? 

(A)  No, not at all.  Save your pent up wrath for the code officials.