On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Harborcreek Township
Harborcreek lists zoning permit triggers including new structures, additions, attached and detached garages, pole barns, decks and porches, permanent swimming pools, storage sheds over 120 square feet or a second shed, accessory structures over 120 square feet, prefabricated structures, mobile homes, structure relocations, structural changes, non-residential renovations, signs, demolitions, and non-residential electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.
Decks or porches that are 29 inches or less in height, without a supporting roof and not over a basement area.
Detached garages or pole barns under 1,000 square feet.
Fences meeting Harborcreek's listed fence standards.
One storage shed under 244 square feet.
Residential roofing without structural changes.
Driveways, except separate state highway requirements.
Residential siding.
Temporary swimming pools.
Replacement windows and doors without structural changes, egress changes, or fire-rating issues.
Certain minor electrical replacement work.
Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height.
Portable appliances and residential kitchen appliance replacement.
- Exempt Decks or porches that are 29 inches or less in height, without a supporting roof and not over a basement area.
- Exempt Detached garages or pole barns under 1,000 square feet.
- Exempt Fences meeting Harborcreek's listed fence standards.
- Exempt One storage shed under 244 square feet.
- Exempt Residential roofing without structural changes.
- Exempt Driveways, except separate state highway requirements.
- Exempt Residential siding.
- Exempt Temporary swimming pools.
- Exempt Replacement windows and doors without structural changes, egress changes, or fire-rating issues.
- Exempt Certain minor electrical replacement work.
- Exempt Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height.
- Exempt Portable appliances and residential kitchen appliance replacement.
Required documents
- Zoning permit application
- Property and project details
- Plot or site information
- Stormwater or floodplain materials when applicable
- Separate building permit application materials required by the selected UCC inspection agency
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as enforced through Harborcreek's designated inspection agencies.
- Owner-builder
- No separate owner-builder rule was clearly posted on the reviewed Harborcreek pages.
- Contractor requirements
- BIU forms linked for Erie-area municipalities require workers compensation insurance or waiver documentation. Harborcreek itself did not post a separate contractor licensing rule on the reviewed pages.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Harborcreek's zoning FAQ states most zoning permits typically take about 15 minutes, but approval may take up to 2 days when a small project stormwater management submission or engineer review is needed.
- 01 Determine whether the project needs zoning approval using Harborcreek's zoning FAQ and ordinance summaries.
- 02 Prepare the zoning permit application, plot or site materials, and any stormwater or floodplain submissions that may be triggered.
- 03 Harborcreek suggests submitting building plans to the chosen inspection service for review before zoning permit submittal to keep the project moving.
- 04 Submit the zoning permit application and obtain township zoning approval.
- 05 The inspection agency may then issue the building permit; Harborcreek states inspection services are not authorized to release building permits before receiving zoning approval.
- 06 Complete required inspections with the selected inspection service and close out the permit.
Typical processing time: Harborcreek's zoning FAQ states most zoning permits typically take about 15 minutes, but approval may take up to 2 days when a small project stormwater management submission or engineer review is needed.
Source: Planning & Development / Zoning, Harborcreek Township ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Harborcreek Township building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25 for demolition zoning permits; $50 for residential additions, accessory structures, and pools.
02
Plan check fee
Harborcreek posts separate engineering and stormwater review fees, including $200 for residential stormwater review over 5,000 square feet of new impervious area and multiple staff review charges for non-residential projects. A full building permit plan review fee for BIU or Prosek was not posted on the township fee schedule reviewed.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed flat and square-foot-based zoning fees. Residential dwelling unit permits are flat fee; commercial and industrial building fees are based on square-foot tiers. Separate subdivision, land development, stormwater, and appeal fees are published.
04
Reinspection fee
Late filing of permit is $100 or double the fee, whichever is greater.
Zoning fees are due with the application. Public building permit payment instructions depend on the selected inspection agency.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Selected inspection agency (BIU or Prosek's Inspection Services) (other)
- Scheduling deadline
- BIU asks for at least 24 hour notice for inspections.
Typical sequence: Harborcreek does not publish a single township sequence. If BIU is the selected agency, BIU's published residential sequence is footing, under-slab plumbing when applicable, slab, foundation, rough-in, and final inspection before occupancy.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Harborcreek Township permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Harborcreek Township, PA? ▸
Harborcreek lists zoning permit triggers including new structures, additions, attached and detached garages, pole barns, decks and porches, permanent swimming pools, storage sheds over 120 square feet or a second shed, accessory structures over 120 square feet, prefabricated structures, mobile homes, structure relocations, structural changes, non-residential renovations, signs, demolitions, and non-residential electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Harborcreek Township, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Harborcreek Township, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25 for demolition zoning permits; $50 for residential additions, accessory structures, and pools.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed flat and square-foot-based zoning fees. Residential dwelling unit permits are flat fee; commercial and industrial building fees are based on square-foot tiers. Separate subdivision, land development, stormwater, and appeal fees are published.. Plan check fee: Harborcreek posts separate engineering and stormwater review fees, including $200 for residential stormwater review over 5,000 square feet of new impervious area and multiple staff review charges for non-residential projects. A full building permit plan review fee for BIU or Prosek was not posted on the township fee schedule reviewed..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Harborcreek Township, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Harborcreek Township, PA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project needs zoning approval using Harborcreek's zoning FAQ and ordinance summaries. 2. Prepare the zoning permit application, plot or site materials, and any stormwater or floodplain submissions that may be triggered. 3. Harborcreek suggests submitting building plans to the chosen inspection service for review before zoning permit submittal to keep the project moving. 4. Submit the zoning permit application and obtain township zoning approval. 5. The inspection agency may then issue the building permit; Harborcreek states inspection services are not authorized to release building permits before receiving zoning approval. 6. Complete required inspections with the selected inspection service and close out the permit.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Harborcreek Township, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Harborcreek Township, PA typically run Harborcreek's zoning FAQ states most zoning permits typically take about 15 minutes, but approval may take up to 2 days when a small project stormwater management submission or engineer review is needed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Harborcreek Township, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Harborcreek Township, PA. The following work is generally exempt: Decks or porches that are 29 inches or less in height, without a supporting roof and not over a basement area.; Detached garages or pole barns under 1,000 square feet.; Fences meeting Harborcreek's listed fence standards.; One storage shed under 244 square feet.; Residential roofing without structural changes.; Driveways, except separate state highway requirements.; Residential siding.; Temporary swimming pools.; Replacement windows and doors without structural changes, egress changes, or fire-rating issues.; Certain minor electrical replacement work.; Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height.; Portable appliances and residential kitchen appliance replacement.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Harborcreek Township, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Harborcreek Township, PA via: Selected inspection agency (BIU or Prosek's Inspection Services). BIU asks for at least 24 hour notice for inspections..
last verified April 2026
source Planning & Development / Zoning, Harborcreek Township ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/erie/harborcreek-township
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning & Development / Zoning, Harborcreek Township before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.