A building or zoning permit is required for almost any type of construction or remodeling. Depending on the project, permits are first reviewed by either the zoning officer or the building inspector, but most often both will review the plans. During a project the building inspector may require one or more onsite inspections, such as a footer inspection, framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, insulation and drywall, and the final inspection. These inspections help to ensure the work is safe and compliant with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. Our building and zoning ordinances can be found in the Borough Code, a physical copy of which is available for review at our office.
Please remember that if the property is within the historical district, the work must be reviewed and approved by the Historic Architectural Review Board before the Borough can review any building or zoning permits.
Please remember to call 811 before digging to have underground utility lines marked. Striking an underground electric or natural gas line can cause serious injury, damages and service interruption. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are all examples of digging projects where a call to 811 should be one of the first steps.
Sub-Division and Land Development Ordinance
Building/Zoning Inspector:
Keystone Municipal Services
Inspections by appointment
Call Borough office at 215-757-3768
Building Permits
A building permit must be obtained for various types of projects including but not limited to the following: demolition, new construction, additions, renovations, alterations or changes to buildings, structures, dwellings and accessory buildings, porches, patios, decks, above and in-ground swimming pools, sidewalks, driveways, curbs, plumbing and electrical improvements, signs, storage tanks, HVAC systems, and fire suppression systems.
During the building process a number of inspections may need to be completed by the building inspector. Please schedule your inspections accordingly. Any questions you have regarding the inspection process or scheduling can be discussed with the inspector.
Below is a list of the most common construction, repair, and replacement work that does or does not require a building permit. Please note that other permits, such as HARB or Zoning, may be required for certain items. Additional permit requirements, if any, will be explained when you submit your building permit application.
If you are ever unsure of whether a project requires a building permit, please contact the Borough office and they will forward your question to the Borough Building Code Official.
Residential & Commercial Buildings
- Replacement of Water Heaters, Furnaces, A/C condensers, Heat Pumps, etc.
- Installation of New Air Handlers, Furnaces & A/C condensers for a 2nd Zone, Ductless Mini-Split systems, etc.
- Water heater, furnaces, A/C Conversions of Oil to Gas, Gas to Electric, Electric to Gas, Propane, Etc.
- Chimney Liners
- Generators
- Roof Replacements
- Decks
- Finished Basements
- New gas inserts or gas logs in existing fireplaces
- Any new electric to be installed. Including but not limited to: New home runs, adding existing lights, outlets, switches, subpanels, EV chargers, etc.
Commercial Only
- Most alterations will require a building permit to a commercial building, no matter how small.
- Larger alterations will require a PA Registered Design Professional to prepare the plans.
Work Not Requiring a Building Permit
- Replacement of Flooring
- Painting
- Installation of Vinyl Siding
- Replacement of existing lighting fixtures, outlets, switches using the same wiring and boxes, etc.
- Bathroom remodeling “in kind”- when not moving/relocating plumbing, adding lighting fixtures or moving/relocating walls and using all existing plumbing.
- Replacement of toilets, vanities, sinks, countertops, shower/tub diverters, etc.
- Kitchen remodeling “in kind” as long as you are not moving/relocating plumbing, adding lighting fixtures, moving/relocating walls, adding countertop space or new islands, etc.
- Replacement of Entry doors and Windows as long as the replacement door or windows are the largest size possible and not increasing or decreasing the size of the existing opening framing.
