Pennsylvania HB 611: An Act amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, providing for deconstruction standards; and imposing penalties.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 624
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 611
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ISAACSON, BURGOS, GIRAL, GREEN, HILL-EVANS,
HOHENSTEIN, KHAN, OTTEN AND SANCHEZ, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,
FEBRUARY 20, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), entitled
"An act establishing a uniform construction code; imposing
powers and duties on municipalities and the Department of
Labor and Industry; providing for enforcement; imposing
penalties; and making repeals," providing for deconstruction
standards; and imposing penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45),
known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, is amended by
adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 8
DECONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
Section 801. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Certified deconstruction contractor." As follows:
(1) A contractor that:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

(i) has successfully completed a deconstruction
certification program conducted by the department; and
(ii) appears on a list of certified deconstruction
contractors posted on the publicly accessible Internet
website of the department.
(2) A firm or other entity shall be considered a
certified deconstruction contractor if at least one
individual currently employed by the firm or other entity is
certified.
"Deconstruction." The systematic dismantling of a structure,
or portion of a structure, to maximize the salvage of materials
for reuse, in preference over salvaging materials for recycling,
energy recovery or sending the materials to a landfill.
"Heavy machinery." Equipment used in the deconstruction or
demolition of a building or structure such as track hoes,
excavators, skid steer loaders and forklifts.
"Primary dwelling structure." A residential building
containing at least one but not more than four dwelling units
based on current permitted occupancy at the time of the
demolition permit application. The term does not include an
accessory building such as a garage or shed.
"Recycling." The processing of waste materials into new
products or material feed stock for products. Materials that can
be recycled include, but are not limited to, concrete, metal
piping and asphalt roofing shingles.
"Responsible party." Any of the following:
(1) An owner or person in control of a primary dwelling
structure.
(2) An authorized agent of the owner or person described
in paragraph (1).
20250HB0611PN0624 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

"Reuse." The use of a product or material that was
previously installed for the same or similar function to extend
the life cycle of the product or material . Materials salvageable
for reuse include, but are not limited to, cabinets, doors,
windows, hardware, fixtures, flooring, siding and framing
lumber.
Section 802. Deconstruction assessment.
Each primary dwelling structure in this Commonwealth that was
erected prior to January 1, 1930, as indicated by municipal
building records or, if no municipal building records exist,
according to records of the county recorder of deeds in the
county where the primary dwelling structure is located, and that
meets the criteria established in this chapter shall undergo a
deconstruction assessment prior to the demolition, renovation or
other construction regarding the primary dwelling structure.
Section 803. Deconstruction requirements.
A primary dwelling structure shall be deconstructed in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter and associated
rules and regulations. The following apply:
(1) Salvaged material may be sold, donated or reused on-
site or off-site.
(2) Each deconstruction project must achieve a
documented 85% landfill diversion rate by weight and produce
one salvaged item for every 500 square meters of design
unless otherwise approved by the municipal code official in
writing for the particular structure, based on economic or
practical infeasibility as determined by the municipal code
official after consideration and inspection.
(3) Deconstruction under this chapter shall be performed
only by a certified deconstruction professional certified and
20250HB0611PN0624 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

designated by the department under section 804.
Section 804. Powers and duties of department.
(a) Mandatory actions.--The department shall:
(1) Administer the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Adopt rules, procedures and forms to implement the
provisions of this chapter.
(3) Post the rules, procedures and forms to implement
this chapter on the publicly accessible Internet website of
the department.
(4) With respect to deconstruction certification
training:
(i) De