Driftwood Borough, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within Driftwood Borough. Driftwood Borough is an opt-in municipality; Jones Township administers UCC building permits under an intermunicipal arrangement; Cameron County handles zoning and floodplain approval.

Department

Jones Township Building Code Department for UCC building permits; Cameron County Zoning Office for zoning and floodplain; Driftwood Borough office for local coordination

Address

Jones Township Building Code Department, PO Box 25, 320 Faries St, Wilcox, PA 15870

Phone

814-929-5138 or 814-781-3663

Email

russ.braun@outlook.com

Website

https://jonestownship.com/cameron-county-building-codes/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. If the project needs sewage approval, obtain sewer approval or an on-lot sewage permit first.
2. Apply to Cameron County Zoning Officer Michelle Reed for zoning and floodplain approval.
3. Prepare the Jones Township UCC application, plot plan, drawings, sewage or sewer approval, zoning permit, and any stormwater, road occupancy, or assessment approvals that apply.
4. Submit the application package and nonrefundable plan review fee to Jones Township Building Code Department.
5. Jones Township reviews the package and issues the permit after approvals and payment of the calculated permit fee.
6. Schedule inspections with at least 48 hours notice and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy if applicable.

Typical processing time: Pennsylvania UCC regulations require action on a complete application within 30 business days unless a longer period is agreed to or another statute applies; incomplete plans can add weeks or months.

Source: Jones Township Building Code Department for UCC building permits; Cameron County Zoning Office for zoning and floodplain; Driftwood Borough office for local coordination

General Requirements

Jones Township states sewage, zoning, and UCC building permits are required in that order for new dwellings, mobile homes, recreational cabins, and other regulated structures; zoning and floodplain approval also apply through Cameron County.

Required Documents

• Application
• Plot plan
• Two sets of construction drawings
• Zoning approval
• Sewage or sewer approval
• E and S or stormwater permits if required
• Road occupancy permit if required
• Workers compensation evidence when filed by an agent or contractor

Permit validity

Pennsylvania UCC permit validity rules apply. A permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days.

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. PA L&I states the 2021 ICC based UCC update took effect January 1, 2026.

Owner-builder

Owners may sign the permit application themselves; no separate local owner-builder policy was posted beyond the standard owner or agent certification on the forms.

Contractor requirements

Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act registration applies to home improvement contractors performing work over $5,000; workers compensation documentation is required where applicable.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$150.00 to $200.00 (conflicting public materials)

Plan check fee

Residential new dwellings $100.00; residential additions and detached buildings under 1000 square feet $50.00; nonresidential base plan review fee $500.00

Permit fee formula

Residential work is mostly square-foot based plus plan review; commercial work uses a $500 plan review fee plus square-foot or valuation pricing; demolition, pools, cabins, and service inspections use flat fees.

Reinspection fee

$75.00 for each additional inspection

Penalty (no permit)

$100.00 to $250.00 for residential work started before permit issuance and $250.00 for nonresidential work

Payment note

Plan review fees are nonrefundable; checks are payable to Jones Township.

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 unless supporting surcharge
• Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons
• Sidewalks and driveways not over basements
• Shallow prefabricated pools
• Playground equipment
• Certain window awnings
• Certain low decks

Important: Zoning, floodplain, sewage, road occupancy, and stormwater approvals may still apply even where the UCC exempts the work from a building permit.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 814-929-5138 or 814-594-6194 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

At least 48 hours notice is required.

Time windows

Only footer inspections are given a specific appointment time.

Typical inspection sequence: Footer, foundation, framing with rough trades, energy, wallboard if required, sanitary approval, then final inspection and certificate of occupancy where applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. PA L&I states the 2021 ICC based UCC update took effect January 1, 2026.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Driftwood Borough Contact
• Inspection Requirements
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Driftwood Borough Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Driftwood Borough, PA?

Jones Township states sewage, zoning, and UCC building permits are required in that order for new dwellings, mobile homes, recreational cabins, and other regulated structures; zoning and floodplain approval also apply through Cameron County.

How much does a building permit cost in Driftwood Borough, PA?

The minimum permit fee is $150.00 to $200.00 (conflicting public materials). Fees are calculated as: Residential work is mostly square-foot based plus plan review; commercial work uses a $500 plan review fee plus square-foot or valuation pricing; demolition, pools, cabins, and service inspections use flat fees.. Plan check fee: Residential new dwellings $100.00; residential additions and detached buildings under 1000 square feet $50.00; nonresidential base plan review fee $500.00.

How do I apply for a building permit in Driftwood Borough, PA?

1. If the project needs sewage approval, obtain sewer approval or an on-lot sewage permit first. 2. Apply to Cameron County Zoning Officer Michelle Reed for zoning and floodplain approval. 3. Prepare the Jones Township UCC application, plot plan, drawings, sewage or sewer approval, zoning permit, and any stormwater, road occupancy, or assessment approvals that apply. 4. Submit the application package and nonrefundable plan review fee to Jones Township Building Code Department. 5. Jones Township reviews the package and issues the permit after approvals and payment of the calculated permit fee. 6. Schedule inspections with at least 48 hours notice and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy if applicable.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Driftwood Borough, PA?

Typical processing time is Pennsylvania UCC regulations require action on a complete application within 30 business days unless a longer period is agreed to or another statute applies; incomplete plans can add weeks or months..

What work is exempt from building permits in Driftwood Borough, PA?

The following work is generally exempt: Fences not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons; Sidewalks and driveways not over basements; Shallow prefabricated pools; Playground equipment; Certain window awnings; Certain low decks. Note: Zoning, floodplain, sewage, road occupancy, and stormwater approvals may still apply even where the UCC exempts the work from a building permit.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Driftwood Borough, PA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 814-929-5138 or 814-594-6194. At least 48 hours notice is required..

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