Building Permits

A building permit is required if you intend to construct, enlarge, convert, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a residential building, or swimming pool regulated by the Uniform Construction Code.

Your township or municipality may require additional permits or approvals for your project.  These permits or proof of approval may be required before a building permit will be issued.  These additional permits and approvals may include:

•  Zoning clearance
• Water/Sewer connections/Sewage Systems approval (for more information see our  Sewage System Permits or  Water/Sewer connection information)
• Driveways
• Subdivisions or land development plans
•  Floodplain management regulations compliance
•  HARB Application (Lewisburg Boro Only)

If you are unsure whether or not you need a permit or additional approvals, contact us first and we will let you know.

Examples of work that requires a building permit:

• Room additions.
• Any other new structure or addition to an existing structure such as: decks equal to or greater than 30" in height, attached garages, porches and porch roofs with the exception of recreational cabins*.
• Alterations in non-owner occupied structures such as furring and finishing basement or attic walls for habitable use, the cutting of any wall or partition, landscaping involving concrete retaining walls greater than 4' in height, and any work involving the extension or alteration of the electrical, plumbing or heating or air conditioning systems.
• In-ground swimming pools or on grade pools over 24" in depth

Examples of construction, alterations, improvements and repairs that do not require a building permit: (Basically all repairs, maintenance and non-structural alterations are exempt from permitting requirements.  However any work performed must be done according to the referenced codes of the Uniform Construction Code.)

• Detached garages or sheds > 1,000 sq. feet.

• Alterations in owner occupied structures such as furring and finishing basement or attic walls for habitable use, the cutting of any non-bearing wall or partition.

• Fences that are no more than 6 feet high.  (Note: See local municipality regarding all fence requirements, zoning approval may be required)

• Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet in height measured from the lowest level of grade to the top of the wall unless the wall supports a surcharge.

• Replacement of siding & roofing materials.

• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.

• Sidewalks and driveways that are 30 inches or less above adjacent grade and not placed over a basement or story below it.

• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finishing work.

• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches deep.

• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one or two-family dwelling.

• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.

• Window or door replacements with only "minor" structural changes.

• Minor electrical repair and maintenance including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Permit Process Overview

Prior to the issuance of a building permit to begin construction, the applicant shall obtain all required pre-construction approvals from their local municipality.  Including but not limited to; sewage, planning, sub-division and zoning approvals.   The applicant shall present copies of the required approvals to the Building Permit Technician at the time application is made for a building permit.

Contractor's shall provide proof of workers compensation insurance coverage to the Building Permit Technician.  Homeowner's doing their own work are not required to provide proof of insurance, however they must sign a waiver stating that they will be doing all associated work themselves.  If desired, the applicant can complete their building permit application prior to issuance, however the permit will not be issued until all pre-construction approvals are made by the respective issuing authority and all permit fees have been paid in full.

At the time an application is submitted, two copies of architectural and/or working drawings shall accompany the permit application.  Specific notes may be added to the drawings by the Building Code Official reviewing the documents.  One set of plans will then be returned to the applicant and one set of plans will be retained by the local code authority.  Typical plan reviews are completed within three to five days after submission of the permit application.  Upon completion of the project and after the issuance of the “Certificate Of Occupancy” to the applicant, the retained set of drawings will be returned to the owner for safekeeping.

            For a step by step review of the Building Permit Application process, see our  Building Permits Step by Step section.                              

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Download a building permit

Download and print out your own blank building permit form.  These forms should be submitted to the CK-COG central office for processing.  You can either send this form or deliver it yourself to our Lewisburg office:

Central Keystone Council of Governments
1610 Industrial Blvd., Suite 400A
Lewisburg, PA 17837

(Click here for driving directions to the CK-COG Offices)

To view and print these forms will require Adobe Reader or other PDF-compatible software.  You can download Adobe Reader free from the Adobe website.

Either print out the blank form and complete it later, or fill it out on your computer and print it out with the completed information.  You can save the completed version on your own computer if you wish.

Download your building permit here: (boca669.pdf  181K)

Submit a permit on-line.

Use our on-line building permit submission process to complete and submit your building permit.  Your permit will be sent directly to the CK-COG permitting team who can immediately start the application review process.  You will still need to submit a signed hardcopy and any additional documentation such as site plans and drawings either by postal service or in person. 

(Click here for driving directions to the CK-COG Offices)

 

Start your On-Line permit application here:

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If you have questions regarding permit requirements in your area, contact the permit officer in your municpality.  The county officials directories are published by the county planning commissions and include municipal contact information for officials and municipal authorities.

 Snyder County Officials Directory  (link to website)

 2009 Union County Officials Directory    (link to website)