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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Shippen Township
Same Jones permit sequence and county zoning approval rules.
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
- Exempt Fences not over 6 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge
- Exempt Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not over basements
- Exempt Shallow prefabricated pools
- Exempt Playground equipment
- Exempt Certain window awnings
- Exempt Certain low decks
Note: State UCC residential exemptions apply on the building permit side; zoning and floodplain approvals may still be required.
Required documents
- Application
- Plot plan
- Two sets of construction drawings
- County zoning approval
- Sewage or sewer approval
- E and S or stormwater permits if required
- Road occupancy permit if required
- Workers compensation evidence where applicable
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; Cameron County zoning and floodplain ordinances.
- Permit validity
- Pennsylvania UCC 180 day start and inactivity rules.
- Owner-builder
- No Shippen-specific rule found.
- Contractor requirements
- Pennsylvania HICPA registration where required; workers compensation documentation where applicable.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 30 business day state rule for complete applications.
- 01 Sewage or sewer approval first.
- 02 Cameron County zoning and floodplain approval second.
- 03 Jones Township UCC application third, with plans and all required supporting approvals.
- 04 Pay plan review and permit fees.
- 05 Receive permit and keep placard and plans on site.
- 06 Schedule and pass required inspections.
Typical processing time: 30 business day state rule for complete applications.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Shippen Township building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$150.00 to $200.00 (conflicting public materials)
02
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
03
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.
04
Reinspection fee
$75.00 each additional inspection
05
Penalty (no permit)
$100.00 to $250.00 for residential work started before permit issuance and $250.00 for nonresidential work
Jones checks payable to Jones Township.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 814-929-5138 or 814-594-6194 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- 48 hours notice required.
- Time windows
- Only footer inspections receive a specific appointment time.
Typical sequence: Footer, foundation, framing with rough trades, energy, wallboard if required, sanitary approval, then final inspection and certificate of occupancy where applicable.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Shippen Township permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Shippen Township, PA? ▸
Same Jones permit sequence and county zoning approval rules.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Shippen Township, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Shippen Township, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Shippen Township, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Shippen Township, PA, follow these steps: 1. Sewage or sewer approval first. 2. Cameron County zoning and floodplain approval second. 3. Jones Township UCC application third, with plans and all required supporting approvals. 4. Pay plan review and permit fees. 5. Receive permit and keep placard and plans on site. 6. Schedule and pass required inspections.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Shippen Township, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Shippen Township, PA typically run 30 business day state rule for complete applications.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Shippen Township, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Shippen Township, 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: State UCC residential exemptions apply on the building permit side; zoning and floodplain approvals may still be required. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Shippen Township, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Shippen Township, PA via: 814-929-5138 or 814-594-6194. 48 hours notice required..
last verified April 2026
source Jones Township Building Code Department for UCC building permits; Cameron County Zoning Office for zoning and floodplain; Shippen Township secretary for local township contact ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/cameron/shippen-township
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Jones Township Building Code Department for UCC building permits; Cameron County Zoning Office for zoning and floodplain; Shippen Township secretary for local township contact before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.