On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Howe Township
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.
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)
- 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
- Exempt 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.
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
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; Howe Township is OPT-IN with amendments.
- Permit validity
- Incomplete construction requires an extension if approved by the municipality or inspection agency; state UCC 180-day start/inactivity rule also applies.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Temporary approval may be issued before the next board meeting; State UCC deadlines still apply for code review.
- 01 Complete every line of the township building permit packet and return all required forms together.
- 02 Pay the township permit fee and the separate county stormwater fee, and attach the required sketch with measurements to the nearest road.
- 03 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.
- 04 Howe Township may issue temporary approval until the next supervisors meeting.
- 05 After supervisors approval, pick up the signed receipt and building permit placard and display it in the window facing the road during construction.
- 06 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Howe Township building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$20.00
02
Plan check fee
$300.00
03
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.
04
Reinspection fee
$100.00
05
Penalty (no permit)
$100.00
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 814-968-4203 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday
Typical sequence: Inspections are handled by the township or inspection agency as required under the UCC.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Howe Township permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Howe Township, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Howe Township, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Howe Township, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Howe Township, PA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Howe Township, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Howe Township, PA typically run Temporary approval may be issued before the next board meeting; State UCC deadlines still apply for code review.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Howe Township, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Howe Township, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Howe Township, PA via: 814-968-4203.
last verified April 2026
source Howe Township permit and code enforcement office; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/forest/howe-township
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Howe Township permit and code enforcement office; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.