Disclaimer

I hate to have this but I'm afraid I must.  If you use information from this site or from documents you've purchased from this site, you must use the information at your own risk.  You are actually the designer of your project and must make certain you build safe structures, abide by all laws, local ordinances, building codes, etc.  In most areas if you improve your home you are expected by your local ordinances, to meet all building codes, electrical codes, and local variations on those codes.  Fortunately with the Internet some communities are actually publishing their ordinances on the Web, which is fantastic.

Tales of Local Ordinances

When I lived in Perkasie PA. in the mid 1990's I once visited my local municipality and asked to read the local ordinances.  At first they were sort of reluctant.  At the time there were usually only two or three actual printed copies so they were like gold.  For example one copy was supposed to be in the local library, but it was out for update, and this was going to be for several months.  When I did read the ordinances one thing I learned was the "husband" was responsible for the "wives" local income taxes!  Shouldn't that have been Spouse!  You can see you can run into some antiquated surprises.

When I lived in Havertown, PA. I wanted to run a business out of my home.  I was selling two computer programs I had written.  I called my local township office and was told outright it was illegal for me to run a business out of my home unless I was a professional!  Examples being dentists and doctors.  Well I went and read the ordinances myself.  Everything I was told on the phone was incorrect.  I could run a business out of my home as long as it was unobtrusive.  It was that simple.

Anyway sorry about the disclaimer, but there it is.

Thanks,
Bob