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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Saxton Borough
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.
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
- Exempt Fences not over 6 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting surcharge or impounding regulated liquids
- Exempt Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying height-to-width ratio
- Exempt 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
- Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Certain shallow above-ground prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep and 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Swings and other playground equipment accessory to 1- and 2-family dwellings
- Exempt Window replacement without structural change
- Exempt 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 having no pre-July 1, 1999 amendments on the municipal elections table.
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.
- Building code
- Pennsylvania UCC, with the statewide triennial update effective January 1, 2026. Pennsylvania L&I lists this municipality as having no pre-July 1, 1999 amendments on the municipal elections table.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 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.
- 02 Create a CommunityCore account or use the PMCA permit applications page to identify the correct permit packet.
- 03 Submit the application, site plan, construction documents, municipal land use approval where required, and workers compensation form or notarized waiver.
- 04 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.
- 05 Pay all charges before permit pickup or release; PMCA packet language states all charges must be paid before the permit is obtained.
- 06 Keep the permit on site and request required inspections as work progresses.
- 07 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Saxton Borough building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Not publicly posted in a Bedford PMCA fee schedule located during review
02
Plan check fee
Not separately published in a Bedford PMCA fee schedule located during review
03
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.
04
Reinspection fee
PMCA checklist language states additional fees may be charged for failed or missed inspections.
PMCA directs applicants to CommunityCore for online permits, inspections, and payments, and states all charges must be paid before permit issuance.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Saxton Borough permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Saxton Borough, 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Saxton Borough, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Saxton Borough, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Saxton Borough, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Saxton Borough, PA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Saxton Borough, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Saxton Borough, PA typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Saxton Borough, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Saxton Borough, 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 having no pre-July 1, 1999 amendments on the municipal elections table. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Saxton Borough, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Saxton Borough, PA 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..
last verified April 2026
source Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance, Inc. (PMCA) ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/bedford/saxton-borough
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance, Inc. (PMCA) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.