Intermodal Container / C-Can Permit Application

Shipping / Storage Containers – Zoning & UCC – PA MPC (2022), 2021 IBC §3115 & 2021 IRC

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Comments

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Today's Date*

Municipality*

County*

1. Applicant Information

Applicant Name*

First Name Last Name or Business Name

Mailing Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone Number*

E-mail Address*

Is the Owner the Applicant?*

Yes

If No, list the property owner's name and phone below.

Owner Name*

Owner Phone*

2. Property Information

Property Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

0 of 10 max characters

Parcel / PIN Number

Lot No. / Subdivision

Zoning District

Is the Property in a Floodplain?

Yes

Is the Property in a Floodway?

Yes

Floodplain. Include floodplain anchoring details and an Elevation Certificate with your submittal.

Parcel Type

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

Agricultural

HARB (Historic District)

Other

Check all that apply. Select HARB if the property is in a Historic District.

Other Parcel Type

Historic District (HARB) approval required. HARB approval is required if the property is in a Historic District. Include the HARB approval with your submittal.

3. Permit Type

Work

New Placement

Relocation

Modification / Conversion

Removal

Other

Check all that apply.

Other Work

Placement

Permanent

Temporary

If Temporary, Number of Days

If Temporary, Removal Date

Temporary placement. Time limits for temporary placement are set by the zoning ordinance.

4. Container Project Data

Intended Use*

Storage Only (Unmodified)

Accessory Building

Dwelling / Habitable Space

Commercial / Office

Construction Site Storage (Temporary)

Other

Other Intended Use*

Structural analysis required. A container repurposed as a building or structure needs a structural analysis per IBC §3115.8, sealed by a design professional, showing the container is adequate for its use.

Container used as a dwelling. The 2021 IRC has no specific container provisions. A container used as a dwelling is reviewed as an alternative design with an engineered structural design, using IBC Section 3115 as the guide.

Container Size*

10 ft

20 ft

40 ft

40 ft High-Cube

Other

Other Container Size*

Modifications*

None

Openings Cut (Doors / Windows)

Electrical

Plumbing

HVAC

Insulation

Other

Check all that apply.

Other Modifications*

Modifications. Include construction documents for any modifications (openings, framing, finishes). Any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work requires permits; include those plans too.

Foundation / Support*

Gravel Pad

Concrete Slab

Piers / Footings

Blocks / Timbers

Other

Other Foundation / Support*

Number of Containers*

Stacked?*

Yes

Attached to Another Container or Structure?*

Yes

Anchored / Tied Down?*

Yes

Stacked or attached containers. The simplified design method applies only to a single, stand-alone container on a foundation that is not stacked, attached to, or supporting another container or structure. Foundations and anchorage must be designed for the site.

Floor Area (sq. ft.)*

Data Plate Present? (REQUIRED)*

Yes

Manufacturer / Year Built (REQUIRED)*

Container ID No. (REQUIRED)*

Data plate information needed. Construction documents must include the container information from the data plate (manufacturer, date built, identification, maximum gross weight, and allowable stacking and racking loads). Without a data plate photo, provide the manufacturer, year built, ID number, and load information.

Residential accessory storage. Residential accessory storage structures under 1,000 sq. ft. may be exempt from a UCC building permit, but still require zoning approval.

Distance to Front Property Line (ft)*

Distance to Side Property Lines (ft)*

Distance to Rear Property Line (ft)*

Distance to Nearest Building (ft)*

Exterior Finish / Color / Screening*

Estimated Cost ($)*

Electrical*

New

Existing

Amp Change

Will the Project Include Plumbing?*

Yes

Will the Project Include Mechanical?*

Yes

Heating, cooling or ventilation.

Estimated Start Date

5. Contractor / Installer Information

Who Will Perform the Work?

Contractor

Owner is doing the work

Contractor / Delivery Company Name

PA Home Improvement Contractor Reg. # (HIC)

Contractor Address

Contractor Phone

Contractor insurance certificate. Include the contractor’s insurance certificate with your submittal.

6. Container Regulations

Zoning – PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC, February 2022):

A container is a structure: any man-made object with a stationary location on land, whether or not affixed to the land (MPC §107).
Zoning may regulate the size, height, location, erection, and use of structures, and the yards and setbacks around them (§603(b)). Setbacks, number of containers, screening, and time limits for temporary placement are set by the zoning ordinance.
The zoning officer may not permit any use or placement that does not conform to the zoning ordinance (§614).

Building – 2021 International Building Code, Section 3115 (PA UCC):

Section 3115 applies to intermodal shipping containers repurposed for use as buildings or structures, or as part of a building or structure.
Construction documents must include the container information from the data plate (manufacturer, date built, identification, maximum gross weight, and allowable stacking and racking loads). Markings may be removed only if approved by the building official.
Wood floors must be protected from decay and termites; under-floor ventilation, roof assemblies (Chapter 15), and sealed joints and voids are required.
A structural analysis must show the container is adequate for its use. A simplified design method applies only to a single, stand-alone container on a foundation that is not stacked, attached to, or supporting another container or structure. Foundations and anchorage must be designed for the site.
Exempt from Section 3115: containers listed as equipment (such as generators or data centers), battery storage arrays under IFC Chapter 12, previously approved relocatable buildings under IEBC Chapter 14, and certain experimental equipment units.

Residential – 2021 International Residential Code:

The 2021 IRC has no specific container provisions. A container used as a dwelling, or as an accessory structure to a one- or two-family dwelling, is reviewed as an alternative design with an engineered structural design, using IBC Section 3115 as the guide.
Residential accessory storage structures under 1,000 sq. ft. may be exempt from a UCC building permit, but still require zoning approval. Any electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work requires permits.

7. Submittal Checklist

Check Included or N/A for each item.

Site plan drawn to scale showing container location and distances to property lines and buildings

Included

N/A

Photo of the container data plate, or the manufacturer, year built, ID number, and load information (REQUIRED)

Included

N/A

Construction documents for any modifications (openings, framing, finishes)

Included

N/A

Structural analysis per IBC §3115.8, sealed by a design professional (if repurposed as a building or structure)

Included

N/A

Foundation and anchorage details

Included

N/A

Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical plans (if any)

Included

N/A

Floodplain anchoring details / Elevation Certificate (if in a floodplain)

Included

N/A

Photos of the container’s current condition

Included

N/A

HARB approval (required if property is in a Historic District)

Included

N/A

Contractor insurance certificate

Included

N/A

8. General Requirements

Plans and supporting documents must be mailed, emailed (info@codesassessmentpros.com), or dropped off at our office.

Although some checklist items may not apply to every project, all applicants are asked to work through the entire checklist. If an item is not necessary, mark it N/A (“not applicable”).

All required fees must be paid before the container is placed.

Failure to provide all information will result in the application being deemed incomplete, returned to the applicant and not reviewed. Plan review time will start with a completed application submittal.

Site Sketch

Draw to scale. Show the container location and size, existing buildings, property lines, driveways, and access for delivery, with distances (in feet) from the container to each property line and the nearest building. Draw your sketch with north at the top of the page.

Upload Site Sketch

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, jpeg, png, tif, tiff, doc, docx, Max. file size: 1 GB, Max. files: 10.

Upload your site sketch. Reminder: plans and supporting documents must be mailed, emailed (info@codesassessmentpros.com), or dropped off at our office.

Invoice & Payment

Where should we send the invoice?*

Enter the name and the mailing address or email address the invoice should go to. Payment can be made by check (mailed or dropped off at our office) or by card.

9. Applicant Certification

Certification

I have read and agree to the certification statement below.

I certify that I am the owner of record of the property, or that the proposed work is authorized by the owner and I am authorized to make this application as the owner’s agent. The information provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I agree to conform to all applicable laws of this jurisdiction and to allow the code official or authorized representative to enter the areas covered by this permit at any reasonable hour to enforce the code(s).

Applicant Signature

Type your full legal name to sign this application electronically.

Date

Printed Name

Title / Relationship to Owner