About the Department

Building codes attempt to assure the construction of safe structures to protect their occupants from injury resulting from collapse, rapid conflagration, and other problems that may arise with new construction. These codes regulate the erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, renovation, conversion and demolition of buildings or structures.

Pennsylvania has a statewide building code, generally known as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). The codes applicable to work for which a construction permit is sought on or after February 15, 2022, are the 2018 International Codes issued by the International Code Council (ICC), and certain provisions from the 2021 International Codes. Specifically, Chapter 11 and Appendix E of the 2021 International Building Code and the accessibility provisions of the 2021 International Existing Building Code are applicable. Only these codes as first published and their errata are applicable in Pennsylvania.

East Brandywine Township is growing extremely quickly. A September 2017 report from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission showed that the Township was the second-fastest growing community in the nine-county greater Philadelphia region when considering new permits from 2010 to 2016 as a percentage (26%) of the 2010 housing stock.

East Brandywine Township has elected to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act. The Department has two full-time staff and contracts for the services of certified residential and commercial building code officials from Arro Consulting, Inc. Our office is located at 1214 Horseshoe Pike and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Feel free to contact us at: (610) 269-8230.

Building Permit Applications

In 2017, East Brandywine Township revised its building permit application materials and began publishing them online as "fillable" portable document files (PDFs).  You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader software in order to read, fill out, save, and print these forms. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available online free of charge. At this time, completed applications still need to be printed, signed, and physically delivered to our office with any application fees to be processed.

Unlike many other municipalities, East Brandywine does not have a unique application "packet" for each type of construction project. Instead, there is a single standard form and a series of possible attachments (some of which may contain additional questions) which may be required depending on your project. The standard application form will direct you to these attachments depending on your answers to questions as you complete that form.