At the May 6, South Whitehall Township Board of Supervisors meeting, township officials explained Pennsylvania’s required update from the 2018 to the 2021 International Construction Code cycle officially took effect Jan. 1, in accordance with the state Uniform Construction Code.

Officials noted projects will continue to follow whichever code was in effect at the time permit applications were submitted during the transition period.

In addition to the statewide construction code update, the township is also updating its property maintenance code from the 2018 to the 2021 edition. Township representatives explained Chapter 1 administrative provisions were removed to avoid conflicts with the UCC, since enforcement and penalties are already governed at the state level.

Several local amendments were highlighted, including changing plumbing licenses from annual renewals to a one-time lifetime licensing system to reduce administrative requirements for both contractors and the township.

Other township-specific updates include mandatory connections to public water and sewer within 150 feet, expanded backflow prevention requirements, additional fire code permitting and operational controls and stricter property maintenance standards involving vehicles, drainage and refuse handling.

Officials also clarified new trash container regulations, stating refuse containers may not be placed curbside earlier than 4 p.m. the day before collection and must be removed within 12 hours after pickup by the township’s collector, currently J.P. Mascaro. The ordinance was reviewed by the Lehigh County Department of Law and advertised in the April 23 edition of the Lehigh Valley Press before adoption.

The board also approved a resolution extending the conditional final approval for the Ridge Farms Phase 1B major subdivision and land development plan located on Walbert Avenue and North Cedar Crest Boulevard. Township officials said the developer, Kay Builders LLC, requested additional time to satisfy remaining approval conditions, primarily involving final agreements and outside agency approvals tied to highway occupancy permits.

Township staff initially considered a three month extension but ultimately recommended six months to avoid the need for another extension request should delays occur with outside agencies.

Jason Engelhardt from Langan Engineering told the board the project is already under active construction and most outstanding items are administrative paperwork rather than site work.

Engineers expressed confidence the remaining conditions could likely be completed before the six month deadline.

Board members noted previous extensions had already been granted but agreed the circumstances had changed because construction is now underway and security agreements are in place. The board unanimously approved the six month extension by a 5-0 vote.