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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Harmony Township
New construction and other regulated work require the shared county/municipal permit process, and any new impervious surface needs county stormwater review.
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: Harmony's local sewage, county stormwater, or other municipal controls may still apply even when UCC work is exempt.
Required documents
- Shared Forest County permit application
- Sketch showing buildings and distances to property lines
- Sewage permit if applicable
- Highway permit if applicable
- Floodplain information if applicable
- Workers compensation documentation when applicable
- Cabin affidavit if applicable
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; Harmony Township is OPT-IN with amendments.
- Permit validity
- State UCC 180-day start/inactivity rule and 5-year outer validity limit apply.
- Owner-builder
- No special Harmony owner-builder rule was posted beyond the shared workers compensation and recreational cabin affidavit forms.
- Contractor requirements
- HICPA registration applies for home improvement contractors over $5,000.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: State UCC timelines are 15 business days for residential permits and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended by agreement.
- 01 Contact Harmony Township or Derrick D. Beach to schedule an appointment and confirm what township, sewage, and county approvals apply.
- 02 Complete the posted Harmony Township building permit packet, which is the shared Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application form.
- 03 Attach the required sketch, sewage or highway permits if applicable, and the UCC Recreational Cabin Affidavit if the project is a recreational cabin.
- 04 File the county stormwater portion and fee with Forest County Conservation District and Planning.
- 05 After county stormwater approval, Harmony Township completes the local building permit review and signs the permit.
- 06 Notify the issuing officer upon completion so required inspections can be closed out.
Typical processing time: State UCC timelines are 15 business days for residential permits and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended by agreement.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Harmony 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; Harmony township/UCC fees were not clearly posted in a current public schedule.
County materials require full fee payment before plan approval.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 814-463-7783 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- By appointment only
Typical sequence: Required inspections occur as directed by the code official before final closeout.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Harmony Township permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Harmony Township, PA? ▸
New construction and other regulated work require the shared county/municipal permit process, and any new impervious surface needs county stormwater review.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Harmony Township, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Harmony 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; Harmony township/UCC fees were not clearly posted in a current public schedule.. Plan check fee: $300.00.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Harmony Township, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Harmony Township, PA, follow these steps: 1. Contact Harmony Township or Derrick D. Beach to schedule an appointment and confirm what township, sewage, and county approvals apply. 2. Complete the posted Harmony Township building permit packet, which is the shared Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application form. 3. Attach the required sketch, sewage or highway permits if applicable, and the UCC Recreational Cabin Affidavit if the project is a recreational cabin. 4. File the county stormwater portion and fee with Forest County Conservation District and Planning. 5. After county stormwater approval, Harmony Township completes the local building permit review and signs the permit. 6. Notify the issuing officer upon completion so required inspections can be closed out.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Harmony Township, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Harmony Township, PA typically run State UCC timelines are 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 Harmony Township, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Harmony 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: Harmony's local sewage, county stormwater, or other municipal controls may still apply even when UCC work is exempt. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Harmony Township, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Harmony Township, PA via: 814-463-7783.
last verified April 2026
source Building Permit Officer, Harmony Township; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/forest/harmony-township
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Permit Officer, Harmony Township; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.