On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for State College
Borough zoning permit for regulated site and exterior work; CRCA permit when a structure or portion of a structure is constructed, renovated, or removed
Borough-specific exemption lists vary by permit page and were not consolidated on one State College page reviewed
Pennsylvania UCC exemptions for one- and two-family dwellings include fences not over 6 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge
Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons
Certain sidewalks and driveways
Shallow prefabricated pools
Playground equipment
Some awnings
Certain low uncovered decks
- Exempt Borough-specific exemption lists vary by permit page and were not consolidated on one State College page reviewed
- Exempt Pennsylvania UCC exemptions for one- and two-family dwellings include 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 Certain sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt Shallow prefabricated pools
- Exempt Playground equipment
- Exempt Some awnings
- Exempt Certain low uncovered decks
Note: Borough-specific exemption lists vary by permit page; verify edge cases with the Planning Department before proceeding.
Required documents
- Completed zoning/building permit application
- Site-specific zoning materials
- Construction drawings as required
- Workers compensation form
- CRCA submittals for the project type
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code administered locally through CRCA; PA L&I states the 2021 ICC based triennial update is effective January 1, 2026
- Permit validity
- Borough page reviewed does not publish a separate zoning expiration rule; CRCA posts an application expiration policy and Pennsylvania UCC inactivity rules apply unless extended
- Owner-builder
- No State College-specific owner-builder rule was clearly posted on the reviewed zoning pages
- Contractor requirements
- Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act registration applies where required; CRCA also requires workers compensation documentation
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No borough-specific zoning turnaround was posted on the reviewed State College pages; CRCA does not post a single standard issuance time for all permit types
- 01 Determine whether the project needs a borough zoning permit first; borough pages for fences and other site work state zoning applications must be submitted to the Planning Department before CRCA review.
- 02 Prepare the applicable borough zoning materials and the CRCA building permit application if the project also needs UCC review.
- 03 Submit zoning materials to the Planning Department and pay the borough fee established by the annual fee schedule.
- 04 After zoning approval, submit the CRCA building permit application, plans, workers compensation form, and required deposit.
- 05 CRCA reviews the submission, calculates the remaining fee, and issues the permit after approvals and payment.
- 06 Schedule required inspections and keep the permit active until final approval.
Typical processing time: No borough-specific zoning turnaround was posted on the reviewed State College pages; CRCA does not post a single standard issuance time for all permit types
§ 04
Fee schedule
State College building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
CRCA building permit minimum $55.50; borough zoning fee varies by permit type
02
Plan check fee
Additional CRCA plan review after the second review is $130.00 per hour
03
Permit fee formula
CRCA building permit fees are valuation or ICC square-foot-cost based, plus $35 residential or $75 commercial application fee and $4.50 state surcharge; borough zoning fees are permit-type specific
04
Reinspection fee
CRCA rental no-show fee $100.00; CRCA residential and commercial reinspection fees are generally $100.00
CRCA requires a non-refundable minimum payment equal to 40 percent of the total permit fee before plan review starts
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- CRCA office (in-person)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Borough zoning review first where required, then CRCA permit issuance, then trade or phase inspections and final approval
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about State College permits
01 Do I need a building permit in State College, PA? ▸
Borough zoning permit for regulated site and exterior work; CRCA permit when a structure or portion of a structure is constructed, renovated, or removed
02 How much does a building permit cost in State College, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in State College, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is CRCA building permit minimum $55.50; borough zoning fee varies by permit type. Fees are calculated as: CRCA building permit fees are valuation or ICC square-foot-cost based, plus $35 residential or $75 commercial application fee and $4.50 state surcharge; borough zoning fees are permit-type specific. Plan check fee: Additional CRCA plan review after the second review is $130.00 per hour.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in State College, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in State College, PA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project needs a borough zoning permit first; borough pages for fences and other site work state zoning applications must be submitted to the Planning Department before CRCA review. 2. Prepare the applicable borough zoning materials and the CRCA building permit application if the project also needs UCC review. 3. Submit zoning materials to the Planning Department and pay the borough fee established by the annual fee schedule. 4. After zoning approval, submit the CRCA building permit application, plans, workers compensation form, and required deposit. 5. CRCA reviews the submission, calculates the remaining fee, and issues the permit after approvals and payment. 6. Schedule required inspections and keep the permit active until final approval.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in State College, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in State College, PA typically run No borough-specific zoning turnaround was posted on the reviewed State College pages; CRCA does not post a single standard issuance time for all permit types. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in State College, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in State College, PA. The following work is generally exempt: Borough-specific exemption lists vary by permit page and were not consolidated on one State College page reviewed; Pennsylvania UCC exemptions for one- and two-family dwellings include fences not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet unless supporting surcharge; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons; Certain sidewalks and driveways; Shallow prefabricated pools; Playground equipment; Some awnings; Certain low uncovered decks. Note: Borough-specific exemption lists vary by permit page; verify edge cases with the Planning Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in State College, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in State College, PA via: CRCA office.
last verified April 2026
source Centre Region Code Administration (CRCA) for building permits; Borough of State College Planning Department for zoning permits ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/centre/state-college
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Centre Region Code Administration (CRCA) for building permits; Borough of State College Planning Department for zoning permits before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.