SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR PROJECT:
(click the link to go directly to your type of project)
NEW HOME
MODULAR HOME SINGLE OR DOUBLE-WIDE
ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONS
DETACHED ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
DECKS AND PORCHES
POOLS AND HOT TUBS SOLAR PANELS
ALL CONSTRUCTION
Prior to the issuance of a Building Permit to begin construction, the applicant must obtain all required pre-construction approvals from their local municipality and/or state agency. Including but not limited to; Sewage, Planning, Subdivision, Soil Conservation, Driveway (Municipality or PENNDOT), DEP and Zoning approvals. Upon receiving all necessary approvals you must submit copies of these approvals with your plans and the “Application for Plans Examination and Building Permit”.
NEW HOMES (“Stick Built” on Site)
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.) OR a receipt showing application has been made to hook onto or “tap-on” to public sewer.
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. (click here for a 
list of municipalities with Zoning requirements)
c. A Certificate of Insurance on your contractor. The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees) or a signed and notarized Exemption form.
d. A valid 911 street address for the actual project. This is obtained from your County GIS office. Union County GIS / Snyder County GIS / Northumberland County GIS / Lycoming County Address Request
e. Two complete sets of plans on the residence. These plans must include the following information: a typical or sectional drawing, elevation drawings, foundation drawings, floor plans, electrical, plumbing, venting riser plans and a “Res Check” or residential energy worksheet (or the PA Alternative worksheet). If your property is in a flood-way an Elevation Certificate will be required as well as engineer stamped and sealed foundation plans.
Application and Plans Review: When you bring your plans into the office, the permit technician will check your application and plans submission for completeness and verify who is to be contacted when the Permit is ready to be issued.
Permit Issuance: The plan review usually takes less than a week, depending on the complexity and completeness of the plans submitted. We will contact you when the Permit is ready for pick-up and advise you of the Permit cost. Pennsylvania UCC states that Permits must be issued within 15 working days if not returned to the applicant for additional changes or information. (This time frame only applies if all required pre-construction approvals have been submitted with the Permit Application)
Payment (Click for Fee Information): Payment in full must be made before we can release the Permit or perform any inspections. 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 ensure all required inspections are completed and approved. No inspections can be performed until the Permit has been paid for in full.
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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NEW HOME (Modular Construction)
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.) OR a receipt showing application has been made to hook onto public sewer.
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. (click here for a list of municipalities with Zoning requirements)
c. A Certificate of Insurance on your contractor. The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees) or a signed and notarized Exemption form.
d. A valid 911 street address for the actual project. This is obtained from your County GIS office. Union County GIS / Snyder County GIS / Northumberland County GIS / Lycoming County Address Request
e. Two sets of plans on the residence. These plans should be provided by your homes’ manufacturer. A foundation plan for your home showing the type (ie: Poured Walls, Block, Superior Walls) of construction and the location of all basement windows and egress. This should be supplied to you by the person installing your foundation. If your property is in a flood-way an Elevation Certificate will be required as well as engineer stamped and sealed foundation plans.
Application and Plans Review: When you bring your plans into the office, the Permit technician will check your application and plans submission for completeness and verify who is to be contacted when the Permit is ready for issue.
Permit Issuance: The plan review usually takes less than a week, depending on the complexity and completeness of the plans submitted. We will contact you when the Permit is ready for pick up and advise you of the Permit cost. Pennsylvania UCC states that Permits must be issued within 15 working days if not returned to the applicant for additional changes or information. (This time frame only applies if all required pre-construction approvals have been submitted with the Permit Application)
Payment (Click for Fee Information): Payment in full must be made before we can release the Permit or perform any inspections. 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 ensure all required inspections are completed and approved. No inspections can be performed until the Permit has been paid for in full.
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PLACEMENT of a Single or Double-Wide Manufactured Home (New or Used)
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.) OR a receipt showing application has been made to hook onto public sewer.
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. (click here for a list of municipalities with Zoning requirements)
c. A Certificate of Insurance on your contractor. The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees) or a signed and notarized Exemption form.
d. A valid 911 street address for the actual project. This is obtained from your County GIS office. Union County GIS / Snyder County GIS / Northumberland County GIS / Lycoming County Address Request
e. For NEW HOMES ONLY - A copy of the “Manufactured Home Installers Certificate” for the person installing your home.
f. A foundation or pier plan for your home. This should be provided by the manufacturer of your home. If you are installing a used home and do not have the manufacturers plans please check the following links for: a pier placement guide, pier details, an anchoring guide and the L & I Manufactured Home Installation Guide and the Foundation Regulations for Manufactured Housing. If your property is in a flood-way an Elevation Certificate will be required as well as engineer stamped and sealed foundation plans.
Application and Plans Review: When you bring your plans into the office, the Permit technician will check your application and plans submission for completeness and verify who is to be contacted when the Permit is ready for issue.
Permit Issuance: The plan review usually takes less than a week, depending on the complexity and completeness of the plans submitted. We will contact you when the Permit is ready for pick up and advise you of the Permit cost. Pennsylvania UCC states that Permits must be issued within 15 working days if not returned to the applicant for additional changes or information. (This time frame only applies if all required pre-construction approvals have been submitted with the Permit Application)
Payment (Click for Fee Information): Payment in full must be made before we can release the Permit or perform any inspections. There will be paperwork attached with your Permit explaining when inspections will be done during the installation of your residence. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure all required inspections are completed and approved. No inspections can be performed until the Permit has been paid for in full.
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ADDITIONS or ALTERATIONS to your HOME (adding a Room*, Attached Garage, Second Story, or any other structure attached to your house**):
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. (click here for a list of municipalities with Zoning requirements).
b. A Certificate of Insurance on your contractor. The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees) or a signed and notarized Exemption form.
c. Two sets of Building Plans. If you are constructing an addition, please draw the house and show where the addition will be constructed in relation to the home. Submit elevation, floor plan and sectional drawings showing construction, plumbing, heating, electrical and insulation systems to be constructed.
* If you are adding a bedroom and have an existing on-lot septic system, you will need to contact the Sewage Enforcement Officer for your municipality to determine the capacity of your system.
** Load-Bearing additions to Manufactured Homes (Mobile Homes or Trailers) are NOT permitted. All additions to a Manufactured Home must be completely “free-standing”.
Application and Plans Review: When you bring your plans into the office, the Permit technician will check your application and plans submission for completeness and verify who is to be contacted when the Permit is ready for issue.
Permit Issuance: The plan review usually takes less than a week, depending on the complexity and completeness of the plans submitted. We will contact you when the Permit is ready for pick up and advise you of the Permit cost. Pennsylvania UCC states that Permits must be issued within 15 working days if not returned to the applicant for additional changes or information. (This time frame only applies if all required pre-construction approvals have been submitted with the Permit Application)
Payment (Click for Fee Information): Payment in full must be made before we can release the Permit or perform any inspections. There will be paperwork attached with your Permit explaining when inspections will be done during the construction of your addition or alteration. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure all required inspections are completed and approved. No inspections can be performed until the Permit has been paid for in full.
NOTE: 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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DETACHED GARAGE or ACCESSORY STRUCTURES (Structures NOT attached to your home):
Completely detached structures under 1,000 square feet that are NOT used as living space or for Commercial purposes do not require a Building Permit, but they must still comply with Municipal Zoning and fire protection codes. Accessory structures over 1,000 square feet will require a Permit and all of the provisions under “Additions and Alterations” shown above will apply.
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DECKS and PORCHES:
(click any blue words below for code requirements)
Decks less than 30” high (measured from grade) do not require a Building Permit. For decks and porches over 30” high or having a roof, a Permit is required.
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. (click here for a list of municipalities with Zoning requirements). b. A Certificate of Insurance on your contractor. The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees) or a signed and notarized Exemption form.
c. Two sets of Plans showing the location and depth of post holes, lumber sizes,joist spans, deck beams size and location, joist hanger details, stair location and geometry and all railings and/or guarding.
Application and Plans Review: When you bring your plans into the office, the Permit technician will check your application and plans submission for completeness and verify who is to be contacted when the Permit is ready for issue.
Permit Issuance: The plan review usually takes less than a week, depending on the complexity and completeness of the plans submitted. We will contact you when the Permit is ready for pick up and advise you of the Permit cost. Pennsylvania UCC states that Permits must be issued within 15 working days if not returned to the applicant for additional changes or information. (This time frame only applies if all required pre-construction approvals have been submitted with the Permit Application)
Payment (Click for Fee Information): Payment in full must be made before we can release the Permit or perform any inspections. There will be paperwork attached with your Permit explaining when inspections will be done during the construction of your deck or porch. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure all required inspections are completed and approved. No inspections can be performed until the Permit has been paid for in full.
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POOLS and HOT TUBS:
(Click Here for Pool Guarding and Here for Electrical Requirements)
All permanent pools more than 24” in depth and all hot tubs require a Building Permit. Click on the links above for information regarding placement, safety, guarding and electrical requirements.
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. (click here for a list of municipalities with Zoning requirements)
b. A Certificate of Insurance on your contractor. The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees) or a signed and notarized Exemption form.
c. A site plan showing your lot and the placement of the pool or hot tub.
Permit Issuance: In-Ground and Above-Ground pools WITHOUT decks can usually be issued within 24 hours. Pools with decks usually take less than a week, depending on the completeness of the plans submitted. We will contact you when the Permit is ready for pick-up and advise you of the cost. Pennsylvania UCC states that Permits must be issued within 15 working days if not returned to the applicant for additional changes or information. (This time frame only applies if all required pre-construction approvals have been submitted with the Permit Application)
Payment (Click for Fee Information): Payment in full must be made before we can release the Permit or perform any inspections. There will be paperwork attached with your Permit explaining when inspections will be done during the installation of your pool to hot tub. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure all required inspections are completed and approved. No inspections can be performed until the Permit has been paid for in full.
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SOLAR PANELS – Ground Mount and Roof Mount:
(Click Here for PV Checklist)
All solar panel installations will require a Building Permit. Many municipalities also require a Zoning Permit, check with your municipality for any restrictions.
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. (click here for a list of municipalities with Zoning requirements)
b. A Certificate of Insurance on your contractor. The state requires proof of workmen’s compensation on the contractor (if the contractor has employees) or a signed and notarized Exemption form.
c. Specifications for the panels, including: roof attachment information and roof load design calculations for roof mounted panels or footer/pier information for ground mounted panels; wiring diagram, inverter information, PV Module information, array information, and wiring and over-current protection. This information should all be provided to you by the manufacturer or installer.
Application and Plans Review: When you bring your plans into the office, the Permit technician will check your application and plans submission for completeness and verify who is to be contacted when the Permit is ready for issue.
Permit Issuance: The plan review usually takes less than a week, depending on the complexity and completeness of the plans submitted. We will contact you when the Permit is ready for pick up and advise you of the cost. Pennsylvania UCC states that Permits must be issued within 15 working days if not returned to the applicant for additional changes or information. (This time frame only applies if all required pre-construction approvals have been submitted with the Permit Application)
Payment (Click for Fee Information): Payment in full must be made before we can release the Permit or perform any inspections. There will be paperwork attached with your Permit explaining when inspections will be done during the installation of your Solar Panels. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure all required inspections are completed and approved. No inspections can be performed until the Permit has been paid for in full.
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