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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Hickory Township
Regulated UCC construction needs township permit review, and county prior approval applies to new impervious surface under the Forest County stormwater ordinance.
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: County stormwater, sewage, and access permits may still apply even where UCC work is exempt.
Required documents
- Shared county permit form
- Sketch or site plan
- Sewage approvals if applicable
- Highway permit if applicable
- Workers compensation information
- Other supporting plans requested by the township or code official
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; Hickory Township is OPT-IN with amendments.
- Permit validity
- State UCC 180-day start and inactivity rule plus 5-year maximum validity apply.
- Owner-builder
- No Hickory-specific owner-builder rule was found beyond the standard owner or agent filing and workers compensation/cabin affidavit forms used countywide.
- Contractor requirements
- Pennsylvania HICPA registration applies where required.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: State UCC review deadlines are 15 business days for residential and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended.
- 01 Contact Hickory Township Building Permit Officer Tammy McQuiston to confirm project requirements and local submission details.
- 02 Prepare the shared Forest County permit application, site sketch, and any sewage, floodplain, highway, workers compensation, or cabin-affidavit materials required for the project.
- 03 Submit the county stormwater portion and fee to Forest County Conservation District and Planning.
- 04 After county stormwater approval, Hickory Township completes local building permit processing.
- 05 The Building Permit Officer or designated inspection agency performs UCC review and any required inspections.
- 06 Notify the issuing official upon completion for final closeout.
Typical processing time: State UCC review deadlines are 15 business days for residential and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Hickory 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/UCC fee formula was not clearly posted.
County plan approvals require payment first.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 814-463-7321 (phone)
Typical sequence: Required inspections occur as directed under the UCC.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Hickory Township permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Hickory Township, PA? ▸
Regulated UCC construction needs township permit review, and county prior approval applies to new impervious surface under the Forest County stormwater ordinance.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Hickory Township, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Hickory 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/UCC fee formula was not clearly posted.. Plan check fee: $300.00.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Hickory Township, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Hickory Township, PA, follow these steps: 1. Contact Hickory Township Building Permit Officer Tammy McQuiston to confirm project requirements and local submission details. 2. Prepare the shared Forest County permit application, site sketch, and any sewage, floodplain, highway, workers compensation, or cabin-affidavit materials required for the project. 3. Submit the county stormwater portion and fee to Forest County Conservation District and Planning. 4. After county stormwater approval, Hickory Township completes local building permit processing. 5. The Building Permit Officer or designated inspection agency performs UCC review and any required inspections. 6. Notify the issuing official upon completion for final closeout.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Hickory Township, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Hickory Township, PA typically run State UCC review deadlines are 15 business days for residential and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Hickory Township, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Hickory 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: County stormwater, sewage, and access permits may still apply even where 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 Hickory Township, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Hickory Township, PA via: 814-463-7321.
last verified April 2026
source Building Permit Officer, Hickory Township; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/forest/hickory-township
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Permit Officer, Hickory Township; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.