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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Barnett Township
Any new construction that creates new impervious surface requires the county prior-approval permit, and Barnett Township then completes the local building permit process for regulated UCC work.
Fences no more than 6 feet high
Retaining walls no more than 4 feet unless supporting surcharge
Certain water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons
Sidewalks and driveways not over a basement
Shallow prefabricated pools
Playground equipment
Some window awnings
Low uncovered decks
Communications wiring
- Exempt Fences no more than 6 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls no more than 4 feet unless supporting surcharge
- Exempt Certain water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not over a basement
- Exempt Shallow prefabricated pools
- Exempt Playground equipment
- Exempt Some window awnings
- Exempt Low uncovered decks
- Exempt Communications wiring
Note: Even when UCC exemptions apply, county stormwater, sewage, floodplain, driveway, or township zoning/setback controls may still apply.
Required documents
- Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application
- Project sketch with distances to property lines and roads
- Sewage approval if applicable
- Highway permit if applicable
- Workers compensation form when applicable
- Cabin affidavit if the structure is a recreational cabin
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. Barnett Township is OPT-IN with amendments; the statewide triennial update took effect January 1, 2026.
- Permit validity
- A permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days; a permit may not remain valid for more than 5 years from issuance.
- Owner-builder
- The state UCC allows the owner or an authorized agent to apply, and the shared county forms include the standard workers compensation owner exemption and recreational cabin affidavit.
- Contractor requirements
- Pennsylvania does not license most contractors at the state level, but home improvement contractors performing work over $5,000 must register under HICPA.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Pennsylvania UCC rules require action within 15 business days for residential permits and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended by agreement.
- 01 Contact the township Building Permit Officer to confirm whether the project needs a township permit, sewage approval, floodplain review, or PennDOT highway occupancy approval.
- 02 Submit the Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application and required sketch to the Forest County Conservation District and Planning Office with the county stormwater fee.
- 03 Include any required sewage permit, workers compensation form, and recreational cabin affidavit if applicable to the project.
- 04 After county stormwater approval, the county forwards the permit to Barnett Township to complete the local building permit process.
- 05 The township Building Permit Officer or its inspection agency reviews the package and issues the permit when local approval is complete.
- 06 Keep the permit on site and notify the issuing officer when the project is complete so required inspections can be closed out.
Typical processing time: Pennsylvania UCC rules require action within 15 business days for residential permits and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended by agreement.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Barnett Township building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25.00
02
Plan check fee
$300.00
03
Permit fee formula
County stormwater is flat by impervious area; township building permit fees were not publicly posted in a current fee schedule.
County stormwater page says no plan will be approved before full payment of fees.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 814-752-6231 (phone)
Typical sequence: Under the UCC, footing/foundation, framing or trade inspections, and final inspection are typically required as directed by the code official.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Barnett Township permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Barnett Township, PA? ▸
Any new construction that creates new impervious surface requires the county prior-approval permit, and Barnett Township then completes the local building permit process for regulated UCC work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Barnett Township, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Barnett Township, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25.00. Fees are calculated as: County stormwater is flat by impervious area; township building permit fees were not publicly posted in a current fee schedule.. Plan check fee: $300.00.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Barnett Township, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Barnett Township, PA, follow these steps: 1. Contact the township Building Permit Officer to confirm whether the project needs a township permit, sewage approval, floodplain review, or PennDOT highway occupancy approval. 2. Submit the Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application and required sketch to the Forest County Conservation District and Planning Office with the county stormwater fee. 3. Include any required sewage permit, workers compensation form, and recreational cabin affidavit if applicable to the project. 4. After county stormwater approval, the county forwards the permit to Barnett Township to complete the local building permit process. 5. The township Building Permit Officer or its inspection agency reviews the package and issues the permit when local approval is complete. 6. Keep the permit on site and notify the issuing officer when the project is complete so required inspections can be closed out.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Barnett Township, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Barnett Township, PA typically run Pennsylvania UCC rules require action within 15 business days for residential permits and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended by agreement.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Barnett Township, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Barnett Township, PA. The following work is generally exempt: Fences no more than 6 feet high; Retaining walls no more than 4 feet unless supporting surcharge; Certain water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons; Sidewalks and driveways not over a basement; Shallow prefabricated pools; Playground equipment; Some window awnings; Low uncovered decks; Communications wiring. Note: Even when UCC exemptions apply, county stormwater, sewage, floodplain, driveway, or township zoning/setback controls may still apply. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Barnett Township, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Barnett Township, PA via: 814-752-6231.
last verified April 2026
source Building Permit Officer, Barnett Township; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/forest/barnett-township
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Permit Officer, Barnett Township; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.