BUILDING PLANNING

Philadelphia Code tit. 4, pt. R, ch. 3

in effect

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R301 DESIGN CRITERIA

SECTION R301 DESIGN CRITERIA * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R301.1.4 and replace as follows:] R-R301.1.4 Intermodal shipping containers. Intermodal shipping containers that are repurposed for use as buildings or structures shall be designed in accordance with the structural provisions in Section 3115 of the International Building Code. Prior to permitting, the applicant shall have the unit certified as free from contaminants by a qualified 3rd party inspector approved by the AHJ. Any penetrations beyond those permitted in Section 3115 of the International Building Code shall be certified by a Pennsylvania Registered Design Professional. * * * [Table R301.2(1) is revised to include the climatic and geographic design criteria for Philadelphia as follows:] TABLE R-R301.2(1) CLIMATIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DESIGN CRITERIA GROUND SNOW LOAD | WIND SPEED d (mph) | SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY f | SUBJECT TO DAMAGE FROM | WINTER DESIGN TEMP e | ICE BARRIER UNDER- LAYMENT REQUIRED h | FLOOD HAZARDS g | AIR FREEZING INDEX i | MEAN ANNUAL TEMP j Weathering a | Frost line depth b | Termite c 25 psf | 115 | B | Severe | 30 in. | Moderate to heavy | 14° F | YES | (a) 1979 (b) 11/18/15 (c) see Table R-R301.2(1a) | 500 | 55.9° F [Insert Table R-R301.2(1a) as follows:] TABLE R-R301.2(1a) PANEL NUMBERS AND DATES OF EFFECTIVE FIRMs FOR PHILADELPHIA PANEL NUMBER | EFFECTIVE PANEL NUMBER | EFFECTIVE 420757IND0B | 11/18/2015 4207570019G | 01/17/2007 4207570038G | 01/17/2007 4207570067G | 01/17/2007 4207570078G | 01/17/2007 4207570086G | 01/17/2007 4207570087G | 01/17/2007 4207570088G | 01/17/2007 4207570089G | 01/17/2007 4207570104G | 01/17/2007 4207570107G | 01/17/2007 4207570108G | 01/17/2007 4207570109G | 01/17/2007 4207570111G | 01/17/2007 4207570113G | 01/17/2007 4207570114H | 11/18/2015 4207570116G | 01/17/2007 4207570117H | 11/18/2015 4207570118H | 11/18/2015 4207570119H | 11/18/2015 4207570126G | 01/17/2007 4207570127G | 01/17/2007 4207570128G | 01/17/2007 4207570129G | 01/17/2007 4207570136H | 11/18/2015 4207570157G | 01/17/2007 4207570159G | 01/17/2007 4207570167G | 01/17/2007 4207570169H | 11/18/2015 4207570177G | 01/17/2007 4207570178G | 01/17/2007 4207570179G | 01/17/2007 4207570181G | 01/17/2007 4207570182H | 11/18/2015 4207570183G | 01/17/2007 4207570184H | 11/18/2015 4207570186H | 11/18/2015 4207570187H | 11/18/2015 4207570188H | 11/18/2015 4207570189H | 11/18/2015 4207570191H | 11/18/2015 4207570192H | 11/18/2015 4207570193H | 11/18/2015 4207570194H | 11/18/2015 4207570201H | 11/18/2015 4207570202H | 11/18/2015 4207570203H | 11/18/2015 4207570206H | 11/18/2015 4207570230H | 11/18/2015 * * *

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R305 CEILING HEIGHT

SECTION R305 CEILING HEIGHT [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R305.1 and replace as follows:] R-R305.1 Minimum height. Habitable space, hallways and portions of basements containing these spaces shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm). Bathrooms, toilet rooms and laundry rooms shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm). Exceptions: 1. For rooms with sloped ceilings, the required floor area of the room shall have a ceiling height of not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) and not less than 50 percent of the required floor area shall have a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm). 2. The ceiling height above bathroom and toilet room fixtures shall be such that the fixture is capable of being used for its intended purpose. A shower or tub equipped with a showerhead shall have a ceiling height of not less than 6 feet 8 inches (2032 mm) above an area of not less than 30 inches (762 mm) by 30 inches (762 mm) at the showerhead. 3. Beams, girders, ducts or other obstructions in basements containing habitable space shall be permitted to project to within 6 feet 4 inches (1931 mm) of the finished floor. 4. Beams and girders spaced apart a minimum of 36 inches (914 mm) in clear finished width between projections and shall have a minimum clear ceiling height of 6 feet 6 inches (1981 mm) from the finished floor directly under the beam. * * *

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R310 EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS

SECTION R310 EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE OPENINGS * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R310.1 and replace as follows:] R-R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue opening required. Basements, habitable attics and every sleeping room shall have not less than one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall be required in each sleeping room. Emergency escape and rescue openings shall open directly into a public way, or to a yard or court having a minimum width of 36 inches (914 mm) that opens to a public way. Exceptions: 1. Storm shelters and basements used only to house mechanical equipment not exceeding a total floor area of 200 square feet (18.58 m2). 2. Where the dwelling unit or townhouse unit is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section P2904, sleeping rooms in basements shall not be required to have emergency escape and rescue openings provided that the basement has one of the following: 2.1. One means of egress complying with Section R311 and one emergency escape and rescue opening. 2.2. Two means of egress complying with Section R311. 3. A yard shall not be required to open directly into a public way where the yard opens to an unobstructed path from the yard to the public way. Such path shall have a width of not less than 36 inches (914 mm). 4. Properties with in-fill lots that are sprinklered in accordance with Section 2904, and a minimum clear yard size of 80 sq ft (7.43 m2) shall be allowed to have access to the public way provided by a shared easement that is a minimum of 30 in (762 mm) wide. * * * [Delete R310.7 and replace as follows, but retain R310.7.1:] R-R310.7 Alterations or repairs of existing basements. An emergency escape and rescue opening is not required for existing basements undergoing alterations or repairs, where such alterations or repairs do not increase the existing story height of the basement. Exception: New sleeping rooms created in an existing basement shall be provided with emergency escape and rescue openings in accordance with Section R310.1. * * *

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R311 MEANS OF EGRESS

SECTION R311 MEANS OF EGRESS * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R311.7.4 and replace as follows:] R-R311.7.4 Walkline. The walkline across winder treads and landings shall be concentric to the turn and parallel to the direction of travel entering and exiting the turn. The walkline shall be located 12 inches (305 mm) from the inside of the turn. The 12-inch (305 mm) dimension shall be measured from the widest point of the clear stair width at the walking surface. Where winders are adjacent within a flight, the point of the widest clear stair width of the adjacent winders shall be used. [image omitted; see the official code] FIGURE R311.7.4 WINDER TREAD AND LANDING DETAIL * * *

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R313 AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

SECTION R313 AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R313.2 and replace as follows:] R-R313.2 Detached one- and two-family dwellings. A builder of a one-family or two-family dwelling shall, at or before the time of entering into the purchase contract, do all of the following: 1. Offer to a buyer the option to install or equip, at the buyer’s expense, an automatic fire sprinkler system in the building or dwelling unit designed and installed in accordance with the provisions of P2904 or NFPA 13D. 2. Provide the buyer with information which explains the initial and ongoing cost of installing and equipping an automatic fire sprinkler system in the building or dwelling unit. 3. Provide the buyer with information, as made available by the State Fire Commissioner on the agency’s Internet website, on the possible benefits of installing an automatic sprinkler system. * * *

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R314 SMOKE ALARMS

SECTION R314 SMOKE ALARMS * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R314.4 and replace as follows:] R-R314.4 Interconnection. Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit in accordance with Section R314.3, the alarm devices shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual dwelling unit. Physical interconnection of smoke alarms shall not be required where listed wireless alarms are installed and all alarms sound upon activation of one alarm. Exception: Interconnection of smoke alarms in existing areas shall not be required where alterations or repairs do not result in removal of interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available that could provide access for interconnection without the removal of interior finishes. * * *

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R322 FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION

SECTION R322 FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION * * * [Delete Section R322.2.1 and replace as follows:] R-R322.2.1 Elevation requirements. 1. Buildings and structures in flood hazard areas shall have the lowest floors elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus 1-1/2 feet (457 mm), or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher. 2. In areas of shallow flooding (AO Zones), buildings and structures shall have the lowest floor (including basement) elevated to a height of not less than the highest adjacent grade as the depth number specified in feet (mm) on the FIRM plus 1-1/2 feet (457 mm), or not less than 3 feet (15 mm) if a depth number is not specified. 3. Basement floors that are below grade on all sides shall be elevated to or above base flood elevation plus 1-1/2 feet (457 mm), or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher. Exceptions: 1. Enclosed areas below the design flood elevation, including basements with floors that are not below grade on all sides, shall meet the requirements of Section R322.2.2. 2. Accessory structures in accordance with Section R-R322.2.1.1. R-R322.2.1.1 Accessory structures. Accessory structures are not required to be elevated to remain dry where they comply with all of the following requirements: 1. The structure shall not be designed or used for human habitation, but shall be limited to the parking of vehicles, or to the storage of tools, material, and equipment related to the principal use or activity; 2. The floor area shall not exceed 200 square feet; 3. The structure must have a low damage potential; 4. The structure must be located on the site so as to cause the least obstruction to the flow of flood waters; 5. Power lines, wiring, and outlets must be elevated to the elevation requirements of Section R-R322.2.1; 6. The structure shall not contain permanently affixed utility equipment and appliances such as furnaces, heaters, washers, dryers, etc.; 7. The structure shall not contain sanitary facilities; and 8. The structure shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse, and lateral movement and shall be designed to automatically provide for the entry and exit of floodwater for the purpose of equalizing hydrostatic forces on the walls. Designs for meeting this requirement must either be certified by a registered design professional, or meet or exceed the following minimum criteria: a. a minimum of two openings having a net total area of not less than one (1) square inch for every square foot of enclosed space; b. the bottom of each opening shall be no more than one (1) foot above the higher of the finished interior floor or grade level and the finished exterior grade immediately under each opening; c. openings shall be installed on at least two walls of the enclosed area to allow for automatic entry and exit of floodwaters; d. openings shall not be less than 3 inches in any direction in the plane of the wall; e. openings may be equipped with screens, louvers, etc. or other coverings or devices provided that they permit the automatic entry and exit of flood waters. 9. Building materials and installation methods used for flooring and interior and exterior walls below the elevation required in R-R322.2.1 shall be flood damage-resistant materials that conform to the provisions of FEMA-TB-2. 10. A structure located in the coastal high-hazard area (including V Zones and Coastal A Zones, where designated), shall meet the requirements of Section R322.3.4 and R322.3.5. All electrical equipment and component installations to meet requirements of section R322.1.6. * * *

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R325 MEZZANINES

SECTION R325 MEZZANINES * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R325.5 and replace as follows:] R-R325.5 Openness. Mezzanines shall be open and unobstructed to the room in which they are located except for walls not more than 36 inches (914 mm) in height, columns and posts. Exception: Mezzanines or portions thereof are not required to be open to the room in which they are located, provided that the aggregate floor area of the enclosed space is not greater than 10 percent of the mezzanine area. * * *

Philadelphia Code Subcode R, § R326 HABITABLE ATTICS

SECTION R326 HABITABLE ATTICS * * * [Pursuant to the UCC, delete Section R326.3 and replace as follows:] R-R326.3 Story above grade plane. A habitable attic shall be considered a story above grade plane. Exceptions: A habitable attic shall not be considered to be a story above grade plane provided that the habitable attic meets all the following: 1. The aggregate area of the habitable attic is either of the following: 1.1. Not greater than one-third of the floor area of the story below. 1.2. Not greater than one-half of the floor area of the story below where the habitable attic is located within a dwelling unit equipped with a fire sprinkler system in accordance with Section P2904. 2. The occupiable space is enclosed by the roof assembly above, knee walls, if applicable, on the sides and the floor-ceiling assembly below. * * *

Source: City of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-312082Fetched: 10/27/2026