Phoenixville Borough

Chester County – Phoenixville Borough

General Information

Type of Government:

Borough

Hours of Operation:

8am to 4:30pm, M-F

Contact Information

Residential Resale Inspection Information

Inspection Fee:

$100.00

Reinspection Fee:

$

Exterior

• Sidewalks and Curbs – All curbs, sidewalks, walkways, driveways and similar areas shall be in good condition (no missing or displaced portions or tripping hazards).
• Handrails – Guardrails must be on all balconies and/or decks, which are greater than twenty-one (21) inches above grade or floor level. Handrails and/or guardrails must be present at all stairways, which have more than two (2) steps.
• Broken windows or Exterior – The exterior of the structure shall be weather tightened and have no visible openings.
• House numbers – The property street number address must be posted and visible from the street with four (4) inch numbers. If the rear of the property faces an accessible right of way the same numbering is also strongly recommended.
• Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets shall be installed at all exterior locations.
• Property use shall be only in accordance with the Borough of Phoenixville Zoning Ordinance or a properly documented existing non-conforming use and/or structure.

Interior

• Smoke alarm or Detector – There shall be a properly functioning smoke detector present on each level, including basements and attic crawl spaces.
• Handrails and/or guardrails must be present at all stairways, which have more than two (2) steps.
• Sump pump – If present, sump pumps must discharge to exterior of the building. Pits must be covered. There shall be no connection of roof, floor, or sump pump drains to the Borough’s Sanitary Sewer System.
• Sprinkler System or similar fire suppression – All systems, devices, and equipment to detect fire or smoke, actuate an alarm or suppress a fire, shall be properly functioning.
• Heating systems – Water heaters or boilers require a blow off tube that extends to within six (6) inches of the floor.
• Water supply or Meter – Borough of Phoenixville water meters shall be accessible for maintenance and repair. Water meters and all of its components shall not be tampered with in any manner.
• GFCIs – Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets shall be installed at all interior locations that are within six (6) feet of water.
• Exit doors – No double cylinder dead bolts are permitted on entrance/exit doors. All dead bolts must have a thumb latch.
• There shall be no unfilled openings within the electric circuit breaker or fuse box.
• There shall be no exposed or uncapped electric wires, uncovered outlet, or switch boxes. Older or questionable electric wiring may be required to be certified by an electrical underwriter.
• Working vent fans shall be present in all bathrooms and/or toilet rooms, which are not provided with an operable window.
• Bathroom and bedroom doors shall be equipped with privacy locks.
• Basement floors shall be substantially weather tight, watertight, and rodent proof.
• Two (2) hour fire rated door shall be present between attached garage and living space. Where not present two (2) layers of 5/8” type “X” drywall, or other comparable fire stopping, should be installed between the garage and living space.
• All gas appliances require a shutoff directly behind the appliances.

Other

• A Borough Official will inspect each property, on change of use or occupancy no sooner than thirty (30) days prior to change of ownership or occupancy in accordance with Borough Ordinance.
• Use & Occupancy checklist is available on the Borough website.

Required Certifications

Building Codes and Sign Ordinances

Building Code Requirements

• Pa UCC

Open House Directionals

• Permitted only on property for sale.

For Sale/Sold Signs

• One sign per street frontage, 4sq ft maximum. Must be removed 20 days after settlement.

Rental Property Inspection Information

Inspection Fee:

$100.00

Reinspection Fee:

$

Rental Property Registration/License Required:

Cost of Registration/Licensure:

Registration Valid For:

Other Rental Property Inspection Required:

Exterior

Interior

• Exit doors – Rental properties with two (2) or more habitable rooms on the third floor and above are required to have a second means of egress (fire escape).
• Rental properties require a minimum five (5) pound ABC type fire extinguisher, and shall be mounted in each kitchen area.

Other

• Also refer to residential U & O requirements for other inspection items.

Required Certifications

Elected Officials

• Mayor – Leo J. Scoda
• Council President – Henry Wagner
• Council Vice President – Richard Kirkner
• Council Member – Michael Handwerk – Assistant Secretary
• Council Member – Carlos Ciruelos
• Council Member – Michael Speck
• Council Member – Jeffrey Senley
• Council Member – David Gill
• Council Member – Kendrick Buckwalter

Find your elected state and federal legislators.

Tax Information

Millage Rate

Realty Transfer Percent

Other Information

Other Tax Information

Uniform Construction Code

Many local governments have adopted use and occupancy ordinances. Increasingly, code officials are citing non-permitted uses and or structures during their inspections. The following lists the enforcement policies as they relate to a residential resale inspection. Please see link below for more information regarding Pennsylvania’s statewide building code, the Uniform Construction Code (UCC).
PA Labor and Industry Building Codes Homepage

• Non-permitted decks that have been installed: Owner must remove or get a permit and ensure structure is compliant with codes
• Non-permitted finished basements: Owner must remove or get a permit and ensure structure is compliant with codes
• Non-permitted fences, sheds, or other structures: Owner must remove or get a permit and ensure structure is compliant with codes
• Our web address for use and occupancy inspection checklist and/or application is: www.phoenixville.org
• We have not separately adopted NFPA standard 211, Chapters 13 &/or 14, which regulate fireplace and heater chimney maintenance.

The information contained in this profile is only intended to provide a general summary of real estate-related laws and regulations in this municipality. It is not intended to take the place of written law, ordinances, or regulations that can be obtained directly from the municipality.