Dunbar Borough, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

State UCC contact records list Dunbar Borough as OPT-IN with Tammy Stenson and the 724-439-8110 McMillen Engineering permit office.

Department

Municipal office; certified third-party UCC enforcement appears to be handled through McMillen Engineering, Inc.

Address

47 Connellsville Street, Dunbar, PA 15431; McMillen Engineering, 115 Wayland Smith Drive, Uniontown, PA 15401

Phone

724-277-4949; McMillen Engineering 724-439-8110

Email

No public borough email found in reviewed sources , no plain-text McMillen permit email was isolated from the reviewed public pages

Website

https://www.fayettecountypa.org/DocumentCenter/View/242/Municipal-Directory-Revised-01232023-PDF ; https://www.mcmilleng.com/building-code

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm local zoning, sewage, driveway, floodplain, and stormwater prerequisites before filing the UCC application.
2. Download the McMillen permit application that matches the project type, including residential, commercial, demolition, occupancy, or zoning where applicable.
3. Submit owner, parcel, contractor, valuation, and plan information, plus copies of triggered outside approvals, to the permit office.
4. Await review, fee calculation, and permit issuance before starting regulated work.
5. Keep the permit on site, request required inspections, and obtain final approval or occupancy before use.

Typical processing time: Not publicly posted in the reviewed McMillen materials.

Source: Municipal office; certified third-party UCC enforcement appears to be handled through McMillen Engineering, Inc.

General Requirements

Use Pennsylvania UCC permit triggers for new construction, additions, many decks and pools, structural alterations, demolition, and regulated electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work; verify municipal zoning or site-permit prerequisites before filing. McMillen's residential form specifically asks for copies of zoning, sewage, driveway, and stormwater approvals where applicable and states that no work may be concealed before inspector approval.

Required Documents

• Application form, parcel and owner data, project valuation, contractor information, plans or plan characteristics, and any triggered sewage, zoning, driveway, floodplain, or stormwater approvals

Permit validity

No municipality-specific public expiration rule was clearly posted in the reviewed sources; confirm directly with the enforcing office before relying on a start date or inactivity period.

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. Commonwealth sources state the 2021 ICC triennial update took effect January 1, 2026, while 2021 accessibility updates remain enjoined and 2018 accessibility standards still apply.

Owner-builder

Public forms reviewed for Fayette County typically allow the owner to apply directly or authorize an agent, but the permit holder remains responsible for compliance and inspections.

Contractor requirements

Pennsylvania home improvement contractors performing work over $5,000 should confirm HICPA registration at https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/home-improvement/. Connellsville's permit packet also asks for a local contractor registration number, and McMillen's residential form adds HUD installer requirements for manufactured housing.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Not publicly posted for this municipality in the reviewed sources

Plan check fee

Not publicly posted for this municipality in the reviewed sources

Permit fee formula

Not publicly posted for this municipality in the reviewed sources

Reinspection fee

McMillen's residential form states a reinspection fee applies if the permit is unavailable for sign-off or inspection must be rescheduled, but no public dollar amount was posted

Payment note

Confirm exact fees and payment method directly with McMillen and the municipality before submission

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• No municipality-specific exempt-work list was found in the reviewed local sources.
• Pennsylvania UCC rules state that ordinary repairs do not require a permit, but work stops being ordinary repair if it cuts or removes load-bearing elements, changes means of egress, or rearranges regulated plumbing, gas, mechanical, or electrical systems.
• Confirm any claimed exemption directly with the listed enforcing office before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Coordinate inspections directly with McMillen Engineering after permit issuance. (other)

Inspection hours

No public inspection-hour window was clearly posted in the reviewed sources.

Time windows

No public inspection-hour window was clearly posted in the reviewed sources.

Typical inspection sequence: Footing, foundation, rough-ins and framing, then final building and trade inspections as applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. Commonwealth sources state the 2021 ICC triennial update took effect January 1, 2026, while 2021 accessibility updates remain enjoined and 2018 accessibility standards still apply.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
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• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Dunbar Borough Building Permit FAQ

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

Use Pennsylvania UCC permit triggers for new construction, additions, many decks and pools, structural alterations, demolition, and regulated electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work; verify municipal zoning or site-permit prerequisites before filing. McMillen's residential form specifically asks for copies of zoning, sewage, driveway, and stormwater approvals where applicable and states that no work may be concealed before inspector approval.

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

The minimum permit fee is Not publicly posted for this municipality in the reviewed sources. Fees are calculated as: Not publicly posted for this municipality in the reviewed sources. Plan check fee: Not publicly posted for this municipality in the reviewed sources.

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

1. Confirm local zoning, sewage, driveway, floodplain, and stormwater prerequisites before filing the UCC application. 2. Download the McMillen permit application that matches the project type, including residential, commercial, demolition, occupancy, or zoning where applicable. 3. Submit owner, parcel, contractor, valuation, and plan information, plus copies of triggered outside approvals, to the permit office. 4. Await review, fee calculation, and permit issuance before starting regulated work. 5. Keep the permit on site, request required inspections, and obtain final approval or occupancy before use.

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

Typical processing time is Not publicly posted in the reviewed McMillen materials..

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

The following work is generally exempt: No municipality-specific exempt-work list was found in the reviewed local sources.; Pennsylvania UCC rules state that ordinary repairs do not require a permit, but work stops being ordinary repair if it cuts or removes load-bearing elements, changes means of egress, or rearranges regulated plumbing, gas, mechanical, or electrical systems.; Confirm any claimed exemption directly with the listed enforcing office before proceeding..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Coordinate inspections directly with McMillen Engineering after permit issuance..

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