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

The minimum permit fee is Township zoning permit minimum $35.00; CRCA building permit minimum $55.50. Fees are calculated as: Township zoning permit fee is estimated construction cost times 0.001 up to $1,000,000 and 0.0005 over that amount, with a $35.00 minimum. Plan check fee: Township resubmission of site plans prior to a zoning permit is $30.00; CRCA additional plan review after the second review is $130.00 per hour.

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

1. Determine whether a zoning permit or zoning waiver is needed; the township checklist says most construction requires zoning review before going to CRCA. 2. Prepare the completed building permit application, impervious coverage sheet, site plan, construction drawings, and any utility or erosion-related approvals required by the checklist. 3. Submit the township zoning application and fee. 4. The zoning officer approves or denies a complete application within 30 days, or within 60 days where residential site plan review is required. 5. After township zoning approval, submit or continue with the CRCA building permit application for UCC review. 6. Obtain final township inspection before the zoning permit expires, and complete CRCA inspections as required.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Painting and minor repairs do not require a township zoning permit; Some interior renovations in a non-rental, non-home-occupation single-family residence may qualify for a zoning waiver if there is no change in use, footprint, ingress or egress, or height; Pennsylvania UCC residential exemptions apply to the building-code side where state exemption criteria are met. Note: Verify exemption eligibility with the township before proceeding, especially for interior work.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Township office or CRCA.

City Building Permits

College Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in College Township, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Pennsylvania Centre County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Most construction requires College Township zoning approval before going to CRCA; the township checklist notes some interior single-family residential work may qualify for a zoning waiver.

Department: College Township Planning and Zoning Department (zoning permits); Centre Region Code Administration (building permits)
Address: College Township: 1481 E. College Avenue, State College, PA 16801; CRCA: 2643 Gateway Drive, Suite 1, State College, PA 16801
Phone: Township: 814-231-3021; CRCA: 814-231-3056
Email: mgabrovsek@collegetownship.org
Website: https://www.collegetownship.org/205/Planning-Zoning-Department

Online Permit Portal

Open College Township Planning and Zoning

Platform: Township forms, checklists, and Document Center plus CRCA forms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether a zoning permit or zoning waiver is needed; the township checklist says most construction requires zoning review before going to CRCA.
Prepare the completed building permit application, impervious coverage sheet, site plan, construction drawings, and any utility or erosion-related approvals required by the checklist.
Submit the township zoning application and fee.
The zoning officer approves or denies a complete application within 30 days, or within 60 days where residential site plan review is required.
After township zoning approval, submit or continue with the CRCA building permit application for UCC review.
Obtain final township inspection before the zoning permit expires, and complete CRCA inspections as required.

Typical processing time: 30 days from receipt of a full and complete zoning application, or 60 days when residential site plan review is required

Source: College Township Planning and Zoning Department (zoning permits); Centre Region Code Administration (building permits)

General Requirements

Most construction requires a township zoning permit before CRCA review; normal maintenance such as painting and minor repairs does not require a zoning permit

Required Documents

Completed application
Zoning fee
Impervious coverage sheet
Site plan
Two copies of construction drawings for zoning review
Utility approvals if needed
Erosion plan sheet if required

Permit validity: A completed project must be inspected by the township before the expiration date stated on the zoning permit
Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code enforced by CRCA
Owner-builder: Township checklist notes some interior work in a non-rental, non-home-occupation single-family residence may qualify for a zoning waiver; no broader owner-builder rule was posted
Contractor requirements: Pennsylvania HICPA registration applies where required; CRCA workers compensation documentation applies on building permits

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Township zoning permit minimum $35.00; CRCA building permit minimum $55.50
Plan check fee: Township resubmission of site plans prior to a zoning permit is $30.00; CRCA additional plan review after the second review is $130.00 per hour
Permit fee formula: Township zoning permit fee is estimated construction cost times 0.001 up to $1,000,000 and 0.0005 over that amount, with a $35.00 minimum
Reinspection fee: Township zoning hearing application fee is $200 plus $1,000 escrow; CRCA reinspection charges apply by fee schedule
Payment note: Township checklist says permit and application fees are due on submission and payable to College Township

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2023).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the College Township Planning and Zoning Department (zoning permits); Centre Region Code Administration (building permits) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Township office or CRCA (in-person)

Inspection hours: Township hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; CRCA hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Township zoning review, CRCA permit review and issuance, trade or phase inspections, then township final zoning inspection if applicable

Additional Resources

Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code enforced by CRCA
Zoning information: View zoning info
Building Permit Checklist
Zoning Change & Use Verification
CRCA Building Permits
License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the College Township Planning and Zoning Department (zoning permits); Centre Region Code Administration (building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

College Township Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in College Township, PA?: Most construction requires a township zoning permit before CRCA review; normal maintenance such as painting and minor repairs does not require a zoning permit
How much does a building permit cost in College Township, PA?: The minimum permit fee is Township zoning permit minimum $35.00; CRCA building permit minimum $55.50. Fees are calculated as: Township zoning permit fee is estimated construction cost times 0.001 up to $1,000,000 and 0.0005 over that amount, with a $35.00 minimum. Plan check fee: Township resubmission of site plans prior to a zoning permit is $30.00; CRCA additional plan review after the second review is $130.00 per hour.
How do I apply for a building permit in College Township, PA?: 1. Determine whether a zoning permit or zoning waiver is needed; the township checklist says most construction requires zoning review before going to CRCA. 2. Prepare the completed building permit application, impervious coverage sheet, site plan, construction drawings, and any utility or erosion-related approvals required by the checklist. 3. Submit the township zoning application and fee. 4. The zoning officer approves or denies a complete application within 30 days, or within 60 days where residential site plan review is required. 5. After township zoning approval, submit or continue with the CRCA building permit application for UCC review. 6. Obtain final township inspection before the zoning permit expires, and complete CRCA inspections as required.
How long does it take to get a building permit in College Township, PA?: Typical processing time is 30 days from receipt of a full and complete zoning application, or 60 days when residential site plan review is required.
What work is exempt from building permits in College Township, PA?: The following work is generally exempt: Painting and minor repairs do not require a township zoning permit; Some interior renovations in a non-rental, non-home-occupation single-family residence may qualify for a zoning waiver if there is no change in use, footprint, ingress or egress, or height; Pennsylvania UCC residential exemptions apply to the building-code side where state exemption criteria are met. Note: Verify exemption eligibility with the township before proceeding, especially for interior work.
How do I schedule a building inspection in College Township, PA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Township office or CRCA.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in College Township can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works

Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

Other cities in Centre County

State College Bellefonte Patton Township Ferguson Township Harris Township

View all Centre County jurisdictions →