How much does a building permit cost in Howe Township, PA?

The minimum permit fee is $20.00. Fees are calculated as: Howe township charges a flat local permit fee ($20.00 if submitted without mailing, or $25.00 by mail); county stormwater fees are flat by impervious area.. Plan check fee: $300.00.

How do I apply for a building permit in Howe Township, PA?

1. Complete every line of the township building permit packet and return all required forms together. 2. Pay the township permit fee and the separate county stormwater fee, and attach the required sketch with measurements to the nearest road. 3. Include workers compensation documentation or owner exemption, the Building Permit Compliance form, and the recreational cabin affidavit if the property is a recreational cabin, cottage, or camp. 4. Howe Township may issue temporary approval until the next supervisors meeting. 5. After supervisors approval, pick up the signed receipt and building permit placard and display it in the window facing the road during construction. 6. Notify the issuing officer upon project completion so inspections can be closed out.

What work is exempt from building permits in Howe 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; Porches, sheds, and other small additions (may not need sewage permits). Note: Even though small structures may not need sewage permits, they still may need township or stormwater review.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Howe Township, PA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 814-968-4203.

City Building Permits

Howe Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Howe Township, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Pennsylvania Forest County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Howe Township is an OPT-IN municipality with amendments. Howe Township posts downloadable permit materials on its official site, and the reviewed permit instructions show a township-issued placard process plus county stormwater signoff.

Department: Howe Township permit and code enforcement office; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval
Address: Howe Township, 7947 Route 666, Sheffield, PA 16347; Forest County Courthouse, 526 Elm Street, Box 3, Tionesta, PA 16353
Phone: 814-968-4203
Email: howetownship@gmail.com
Website: https://howetwp.org/permits

Online Permit Portal

Open Howe Township Permits

Platform: GoDaddy website with downloadable PDF packets • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Complete every line of the township building permit packet and return all required forms together.
Pay the township permit fee and the separate county stormwater fee, and attach the required sketch with measurements to the nearest road.
Include workers compensation documentation or owner exemption, the Building Permit Compliance form, and the recreational cabin affidavit if the property is a recreational cabin, cottage, or camp.
Howe Township may issue temporary approval until the next supervisors meeting.
After supervisors approval, pick up the signed receipt and building permit placard and display it in the window facing the road during construction.
Notify the issuing officer upon project completion so inspections can be closed out.

Typical processing time: Temporary approval may be issued before the next board meeting; State UCC deadlines still apply for code review.

Source: Howe Township permit and code enforcement office; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval

General Requirements

The posted Howe instructions require the township building permit process for new construction and other regulated work, and the county requires stormwater prior approval for new impervious surface.

Required Documents

Completed application
Township fee
County stormwater fee
Sketch with dimensions to the nearest road
Workers compensation form or exemption
Building Permit Compliance form
Recreational cabin affidavit if applicable
Sewage or highway permits where applicable

Permit validity: Incomplete construction requires an extension if approved by the municipality or inspection agency; state UCC 180-day start/inactivity rule also applies.
Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; Howe Township is OPT-IN with amendments.
Owner-builder: Howe's packet expressly allows the applicant to mark the workers compensation form as an owner or contractor with no employees and to sign the recreational cabin affidavit where applicable.
Contractor requirements: Pennsylvania HICPA registration applies for home improvement contractors over $5,000.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $20.00
Plan check fee: $300.00
Permit fee formula: Howe township charges a flat local permit fee ($20.00 if submitted without mailing, or $25.00 by mail); county stormwater fees are flat by impervious area.
Reinspection fee: $100.00
Penalty (no permit): $100.00
Payment note: Howe instructions call for check or money order payable to Howe Township, and a separate check for county stormwater payable to the Forest County Conservation Department.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Howe Township permit and code enforcement office; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

814-968-4203 (phone)

Inspection hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections are handled by the township or inspection agency as required under the UCC.

Additional Resources

Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; Howe Township is OPT-IN with amendments.
Howe Township Officials
PA Department of Labor & Industry - UCC Information
License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Howe Township permit and code enforcement office; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Howe Township Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Howe Township, PA?: The posted Howe instructions require the township building permit process for new construction and other regulated work, and the county requires stormwater prior approval for new impervious surface.
How much does a building permit cost in Howe Township, PA?: The minimum permit fee is $20.00. Fees are calculated as: Howe township charges a flat local permit fee ($20.00 if submitted without mailing, or $25.00 by mail); county stormwater fees are flat by impervious area.. Plan check fee: $300.00.
How do I apply for a building permit in Howe Township, PA?: 1. Complete every line of the township building permit packet and return all required forms together. 2. Pay the township permit fee and the separate county stormwater fee, and attach the required sketch with measurements to the nearest road. 3. Include workers compensation documentation or owner exemption, the Building Permit Compliance form, and the recreational cabin affidavit if the property is a recreational cabin, cottage, or camp. 4. Howe Township may issue temporary approval until the next supervisors meeting. 5. After supervisors approval, pick up the signed receipt and building permit placard and display it in the window facing the road during construction. 6. Notify the issuing officer upon project completion so inspections can be closed out.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Howe Township, PA?: Typical processing time is Temporary approval may be issued before the next board meeting; State UCC deadlines still apply for code review..
What work is exempt from building permits in Howe 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; Porches, sheds, and other small additions (may not need sewage permits). Note: Even though small structures may not need sewage permits, they still may need township or stormwater review.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Howe Township, PA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: 814-968-4203.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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