Hopewell Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Pennsylvania L&I lists Hopewell Township as an OPT-IN municipality under the UCC. Public-facing PMCA packets also indicate municipal land use approval may be required before PMCA issues the building permit, but a dedicated local zoning page was not consistently found for this jurisdiction.

Department

Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance, Inc. (PMCA)

Address

125 S. Richard Street, Suite 102, Bedford, PA 15522

Phone

(814) 310-2326

Email

pmcabedford@pacodealliance.com

Website

https://pacodealliance.com/locations/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project also needs a borough or township land use, zoning, floodplain, or similar local sign-off before PMCA will issue the permit.
2. Create a CommunityCore account or use the PMCA permit applications page to identify the correct permit packet.
3. Submit the application, site plan, construction documents, municipal land use approval where required, and workers compensation form or notarized waiver.
4. PMCA reviews the submittal for UCC compliance and issues approval or denial in writing; Pennsylvania UCC timing is generally 15 business days for standard residential applications, 5 business days if sealed by a licensed design professional certification, and 30 business days for other UCC permit applications.
5. Pay all charges before permit pickup or release; PMCA packet language states all charges must be paid before the permit is obtained.
6. Keep the permit on site and request required inspections as work progresses.
7. Use PMCA final inspection and certificate of occupancy procedures where applicable before occupancy.

Typical processing time: Pennsylvania UCC timing is generally 15 business days for standard residential permits, 5 business days for certain sealed residential submissions, and 30 business days for other UCC permits; PMCA does not publish one universal shorter Bedford-specific turnaround.

Source: Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance, Inc. (PMCA)

General Requirements

A permit is generally required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, and for regulated electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical work subject to the Pennsylvania UCC.

Required Documents

• Application form
• site plan
• plans or supporting drawings as required by project type
• municipal land use approval where required
• and workers compensation insurance information or notarized exemption waiver.

Permit validity

A permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days; a permit may not remain valid for more than 5 years from issue date unless extended in writing.

Building code

Pennsylvania UCC, with the statewide triennial update effective January 1, 2026. Pennsylvania L&I lists this municipality as carrying pre-July 1, 1999 amendments. L&I states it does not keep the text of those amendments, so applicants should confirm with the municipality and PMCA whether any local carryover change affects permit triggers or exemptions.

Owner-builder

Homeowners may apply and may claim a workers compensation exemption only if they do all work themselves without hiring others to assist.

Contractor requirements

Pennsylvania has no general statewide contractor license for most construction work, but home improvement contractors on covered jobs over $5,000 must register under HICPA. Local trade licensing requirements were not consistently published in reviewed Bedford County municipal sources.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Not publicly posted in a Bedford PMCA fee schedule located during review

Plan check fee

Not separately published in a Bedford PMCA fee schedule located during review

Permit fee formula

Varies by permit type and scope; PMCA public application materials indicate project charges are calculated as part of review rather than through one Bedford County web fee table.

Reinspection fee

PMCA checklist language states additional fees may be charged for failed or missed inspections.

Payment note

PMCA directs applicants to CommunityCore for online permits, inspections, and payments, and states all charges must be paid before permit issuance.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding regulated liquids
• Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying height-to-width ratio
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Certain shallow above-ground prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons
• Swings and other playground equipment accessory to 1- and 2-family dwellings
• Window replacement without structural change
• Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work listed in 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403, including specified fixture and leak repairs

Important: Pennsylvania L&I lists this municipality as carrying pre-July 1, 1999 amendments. L&I states it does not keep the text of those amendments, so applicants should confirm with the municipality and PMCA whether any local carryover change affects permit triggers or exemptions.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online (online)
• Phone (phone)

Scheduling deadline

PMCA Bedford Office hours are listed as 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. PMCA states electronic inspection requests submitted before 3:00 PM are generally targeted for the next business day; requests after 3:00 PM are scheduled 2 business days out.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, followed by applicable footing or foundation, framing, rough trade, insulation or energy, and final inspections depending on project scope.

Additional charges may apply for failed or missed inspections.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania UCC, with the statewide triennial update effective January 1, 2026. Pennsylvania L&I lists this municipality as carrying pre-July 1, 1999 amendments. L&I states it does not keep the text of those amendments, so applicants should confirm with the municipality and PMCA whether any local carryover change affects permit triggers or exemptions.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Hopewell Township Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Hopewell Township, PA?

A permit is generally required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, and for regulated electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical work subject to the Pennsylvania UCC.

How much does a building permit cost in Hopewell Township, PA?

The minimum permit fee is Not publicly posted in a Bedford PMCA fee schedule located during review. Fees are calculated as: Varies by permit type and scope; PMCA public application materials indicate project charges are calculated as part of review rather than through one Bedford County web fee table.. Plan check fee: Not separately published in a Bedford PMCA fee schedule located during review.

How do I apply for a building permit in Hopewell Township, PA?

1. Confirm whether the project also needs a borough or township land use, zoning, floodplain, or similar local sign-off before PMCA will issue the permit. 2. Create a CommunityCore account or use the PMCA permit applications page to identify the correct permit packet. 3. Submit the application, site plan, construction documents, municipal land use approval where required, and workers compensation form or notarized waiver. 4. PMCA reviews the submittal for UCC compliance and issues approval or denial in writing; Pennsylvania UCC timing is generally 15 business days for standard residential applications, 5 business days if sealed by a licensed design professional certification, and 30 business days for other UCC permit applications. 5. Pay all charges before permit pickup or release; PMCA packet language states all charges must be paid before the permit is obtained. 6. Keep the permit on site and request required inspections as work progresses. 7. Use PMCA final inspection and certificate of occupancy procedures where applicable before occupancy.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Hopewell Township, PA?

Typical processing time is Pennsylvania UCC timing is generally 15 business days for standard residential permits, 5 business days for certain sealed residential submissions, and 30 business days for other UCC permits; PMCA does not publish one universal shorter Bedford-specific turnaround..

What work is exempt from building permits in Hopewell Township, PA?

The following work is generally exempt: Fences not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding regulated liquids; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying height-to-width ratio; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Certain shallow above-ground prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons; Swings and other playground equipment accessory to 1- and 2-family dwellings; Window replacement without structural change; Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work listed in 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403, including specified fixture and leak repairs. Note: Pennsylvania L&I lists this municipality as carrying pre-July 1, 1999 amendments. L&I states it does not keep the text of those amendments, so applicants should confirm with the municipality and PMCA whether any local carryover change affects permit triggers or exemptions.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Hopewell Township, PA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Online, Phone. PMCA Bedford Office hours are listed as 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. PMCA states electronic inspection requests submitted before 3:00 PM are generally targeted for the next business day; requests after 3:00 PM are scheduled 2 business days out..

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