Archive for the ‘Zoning’ Category

Sprinklers Required in PA New Homes

Friday, March 26th, 2010
By: Denise C. Werkley

In early 2010, the Pennsylvania Builders Association, among others, filed a lawsuit to stop the implementation of a new and updated Uniform Construction Code in Pennsylvania. Copies of the filing are available on the Builders Association website. Among the provisions objectionable to the Builders Association was a provision requiring new single family and townhomes in Pennsylvania to be equipped with sprinklers. The fire sprinkler requirement states that newly constructed townhomes built after January 1, 2010, and all newly constructed one- and two-family homes built after January 1, 2011 must contain a residential fire sprinkler system. The lawsuit sought an injunction asking for the implementation of the Code to be stopped immediately

The Commonwealth Court denied the requested for an injunction earlier this month, meaning that the case will progress and in the meantime, the requirement for sprinklers is in full force. For more details, see this article on the injunction.

If you would like more information on real estate issues in Pennsylvania, please contact Denise Werkley.

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Posted in General, Home Improvement Contractor, Zoning | 1 Comment »

Recent Decision Upheld by PA Supreme Court

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

By: Kimberly P. Venzie

Read my recent Blog about the affirmation of the Schaffer decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and its impact upon development in Pennsylvania.

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Posted in Real Estate, Zoning | No Comments »

Should You Get a Survey Before Buying that Property?

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

By: William J. Burke, III

Professional developers almost always obtain a new survey before buying property for further development, yet consumers buying homes or building lots for personal use, and casual investors buying investment properties such as existing office buildings or apartments, get a survey infrequently. What do the developers know that you don’t? They know that a survey could reveal problems that could substantially undermine the value of your investment and that are not discoverable by other means. Surveys disclose issues that do not appear in title searches, such as violations of zoning setback restrictions, evidence of unrecorded easements, boundary discrepancies with adjoining properties, property description errors, acreage content, and encroachments. Most if not all of these issues are excluded from coverage under ordinary Owners’ title insurance policies.

If you would like to learn more about when you should consider getting a survey, and how it may benefit you, please contact Bill Burke and visit the article on this site.

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Posted in Zoning | No Comments »