RESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATES OF USE AND OCCUPANCY

Certificate of Use and Occupancy Permit

• Complete the Application for Certificate of Use and Occupancy - Existing Structure (PDF)
• Submit the completed Permit Application in person or via first class mail to the Code Compliance Department
• Review Administrative Order #2017-2 (PDF) 
• Review Residential CUO Inspection Checklist (PDF) for inspection requirements
• Contact the Code Compliance Department for questions related to the Certificate of Use and Occupancy process or to schedule an inspection
• Property owners, real estate agents or attorney's representing a property owner may contact the Code Compliance Department at 717-569-6406 ext. 6 or by email to codecompliance@manheimtownship.org. Provide the following information: property address, whether the property is a single family residence, townhouse, or duplex; and if the property has a basement and if any portion of that basement has been converted into a finished area (ie. family room, bedroom, etc.) We will check our records for a valid certificate of use and occupancy and provide a copy of the certificate to the mailing address or email address provided. If the property does not have a certificate of use and occupancy on file, either the property owner or the owner’s agent will need to make application for a certificate of use and occupancy. Applications must be completed at our office during our regular business hours which are 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The filing fee for a residential certificate of use and occupancy is $50.00. At the time of application, we will schedule an appointment for an inspection of the property. Click on the link below for more information and resources concerning the application and inspection requirements for certificates of use and occupancy.

NON-RESIDENTIAL CERTIFICATES OF USE AND OCCUPANCY

Certificate of Use and Occupancy Permit

• Complete the Application for Certificate of Use and Occupancy - Existing Structure (PDF)
• Submit the completed Permit Application in person or via first class mail to the Code Compliance Department
• Review Administrative Order #2017-2 (PDF) 
• Non-residential buildings are to be inspected for compliance utilizing one of the two following options.  The decision as to which option is to be used will be at the discretion of the Director of Code Compliance. 
  • Option #1 - International Existing Building Code (IEBC)
    • The currently adopted IEBC sections 1301.5 Evaluation, 1301.6 Evaluation Process, 1301.7 Building Score, 1301.8 Safety Scores, and 1301.9 Evaluation of Building Safety shall be used. 
    • Structural members shall be evaluated to verify they are structurally sound and capable of supporting imposed loads in accordance with Chapter 16 of the currently adopted International Building Code (IBC) for the proposed use.
    • The currently adopted International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and the currently adopted International Fire Code (IFC) as it applies to existing buildings and structures shall be used for the inspection.
    • Accessibility requirements shall be in accordance with the "Complete Change of Occupancy" section of the currently adopted IEBC that pertains to a Change of Occupancy unless otherwise directed by the Director of Code Compliance.
  • Option #2 - International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) & International Fire Code (IFC)
    • The currently adopted IPMC and the currently adopted IFC as it applies to existing buildings and structures shall be used for inspection. 
    • Accessibility requirements shall be in accordance with the "Complete Change of Occupancy" section of the currently adopted IEBC that pertains to a Change of Occupancy unless otherwise directed by the Director of Code Compliance.
• Contact the Code Compliance Department for questions related to the Certificate of Use and Occupancy process or to schedule an inspection

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY

• The owner of record or an authorized agent may request a copy of the current Certificate of Use and Occupancy. If a valid Certificate of Use and Occupancy is on file with the Township, a copy will be provided.
  
  
• Existing structures that do not have a valid Certificate of Use and Occupancy require the owner to complete an Application for Certificate of Use and Occupancy (PDF), pay the applicable fees and schedule an inspection with a Code Official. Per the Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act (MCOCA) – PA Act 133 of 2016, any documented violation(s) shall be classified as either a basic violation or a substantial violation. Inspection results shall determine the type of Certificate to be issued. Refer to Section 3 for Certificate types.
  
  
• If a change of use occurs on the premises, even if there is a valid Certificate of Use and Occupancy on file for the previous use, the owner must follow the procedures described above for existing structures that do not have a valid Certificate of Use and Occupancy.
  
  
• Any owner or authorized agent requesting a re-issuance of an existing Certificate of Use and Occupancy must follow the same procedures described above for existing structures that do not have a valid Certificate of Use and Occupancy. At the Director of Code Compliance’s discretion, a re-issuance for a name change only may be granted without an inspection for a nominal fee as listed on the current fee schedule.
  
  
• For questions related to Certificates of Use and Occupancy, contact the Code Compliance Department.