Building Permit Process

Following is step-by-step instructions in what is required to obtain a building permit.

New Construction of a Residence.

Additions/Alterations or New Buildings on your lot.

Commercial Construction.

          New Construction of a Residence:

1.      Obtain the building permit application which is returned to our office.

2.      When returning the application, the following items are required:

a.      A copy of the sewage permit (this applies if there is no existing on-lot system.) Gregg Twp. requires a receipt showing application has been made to hook onto public sewer.  [ more information on the sewage permit process]

b.     A copy of the zoning permit.  Not all townships have zoning at this time.  Check with your township officials or this office if you do not know if your township has zoning. [ zoning permit information]

c.     A Certificate of Insurance on your contractor.  The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees).  Our office has many of the local contractors’ certificates of insurance on file.  If the contractor does not have workmen’s comp insurance, then there is an exemption form which must be signed.  The exemption forms may be obtained through our office.  The exemption must be notarized.  We have a notary on our staff and contractor’s can sign at our office if they would prefer.

d.      Two sets of plans on the residence.  These plans must include the following information:  elevation drawings, foundation drawings, floor plans, electrical, plumbing, venting riser plans and residential energy worksheet  Residential Energy Worksheet.  Once the plans have been reviewed, one set will be returned with the permit.  These plans will be stamped “Approved” and signed by the Code Administrator.

3.      Application Review.  Once we have all the above items turned in to our office, the plans will be reviewed and the permit is usually issued within 1-2 days.  There will be paperwork attached with your permit explaining when inspections will be done during the construction of your residence.  It is the responsibility of the owner to call for the required inspections. 

4.      Permit Issued.  When the permit is issued, you will be called and told the permit is ready and will be given the fee at that time.  Payment must be made before we can release the permit.  The construction is to be started within 6 months from the issue date of the permit.  The building permit is valid for two years.

NOTE:  Additional Work.  If you are planning a deck or garage or other construction of some means on the lot directly after the construction of the residence, you may want to indicate that on your application.  If this is not included on the application, you will need to obtain a second permit for the additional work.

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Additions/Alterations or New Buildings on your lot:

1.      Obtain the building permit application.

2.      When returning the application, the following items are required:

a.      A copy of the zoning permit.  Not all townships have zoning at this time.  Check with your township officials or this office if you do not know if your township has zoning. [ zoning permit information]

b.      A Certificate of Insurance on your contractor.  The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees).  If the contractor does not have workmen’s comp insurance, then there is an exemption form which must be signed and notarized.  Our office has many of the local contractors’ certificates of insurance on file.  The exemption forms may be obtained through our office.  The exemption must be notarized.  We have a notary on our staff and contractor’s can sign at our office if they would prefer.

c.      Building Plans.  On the back page the building permit application there is a grid.  If you are constructing an addition, please draw the house and show where the addition will be constructed in relation to the home.  We will ask for dimensions of the addition.  Submit elevation, floor plan and sectional drawings showing construction, plumbing, heating, electrical and insulation systems to be constructed.

3.      Permit Issued.  Once we have all the above items turned in to our office, the permit is usually issued while you wait.  Pennsylvania UCC state that permits must be issued within 15 working days if not returned to the applicant for additional changes or information.  Payment must be made before we can release the permit.  The permit is valid for two (2) years.

NOTE:  Start of work / additional work.  Once the permit is issued, the work is to be started within 6 months.    The permit is issued only for the work applied for on the application.  If you are planning several different kinds of additions/alterations, etc. within a two year period, you may want to include them on the application.  Otherwise additional permits may have to be obtained.

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Commercial Construction:

1.      Obtain the building permit application.

2.      When returning the application, the following items are required:

a.      A copy of the zoning permit.  Not all townships have zoning at this time.  Check with your township officials or this office if you do not know if your township has zoning. [ zoning permit information]

b.      A Certificate of Insurance on the contractor.  The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees).  If the contractor does not have workmen’s comp insurance, then there is an exemption form which must be signed and notarized.  Our office has many of the local contractors’ certificates of insurance on file.  The exemption forms may be obtained through our office.  The exemption must be notarized.  We have a notary on our staff and contractor’s can sign at our office if they would prefer.

c.      Three sets of stamped architectural plans on the construction must be submitted to this office for review.  Our office will determine if the plans are in compliance with all applicable codes in effect at the time of submission.  Once the plans are reviewed, one set of the plans will be returned with the permit. 

3.      Permit Issued.  Once we have all the above items turned in to our office, the permit is usually issued within 10 working days. Pennsylvania UCC state that permits must be issued within 30 working days if not returned to the applicant for additional changes or information. Payment must be made before we can release the permit.

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