2021 ADA Requirements Have been rescinded by Court Order, Effective Immediately

Effective immediately, Code Bulletin B-2101- Implementation of 2021 International Code Accessibility Provisions, is rescinded and the City of Philadelphia will revert back to the accessibility provisions contained in the 2018 International Codes.  

Pa Commonwealth Court Order No. 479 M.D. 2021 has permanently enjoined enforcement of the 2021 accessibility updates to the Pa Uniform Construction Code. The Department of Labor and Industry has determined that enforcement of the 2021 accessibility provisions shall cease immediately and the 2018 accessibility standards in effect prior to December 25, 2021, shall remain in effect. 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Pa Uniform Construction Code, the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) began mandatory enforcement of the 2021 accessibility provisions for applications received on or after July 1, 2022.  Permits issued and reviewed under the 2021 accessibility provisions shall remain in effect and construction must proceed in accordance with approved permit documents. If an owner wishes to build to lesser accessibility requirements contained in the 2018 International Codes, an application to amend the permit must be filed. 

Please refer to L&I's FAQ on Significant Changes to the Accessibility Provisions of the 2021 International Codes for more information on affected code sections.  

As a reminder, the issuance of a building permit does not affirm that a property is federally compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The owner remains responsible for ensuring property complies with all local, state, and federal requirements.