Tionesta Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Tionesta Township is an OPT-IN municipality with amendments. The township page posts Jeff Elder plus Bureau Veritas as building permit contacts, with county stormwater prior approval still required.

Department

Building Permit Officer, Tionesta Township; Bureau Veritas for UCC inspection support; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval

Address

Tionesta Township, 896 Route 36, PO Box 307, Tionesta, PA 16353; Forest County Courthouse, 526 Elm Street, Box 3, Tionesta, PA 16353

Phone

814-282-1852

Email

tionestatwp@gmail.com

Website

https://co.forest.pa.us/residents/tionesta_township.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Contact Jeff Elder or the township office to confirm whether the project needs township permit review and what supporting approvals apply.
2. Prepare the shared Forest County permit application, sketch or site plan, 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 signoff, Tionesta Township completes local permit processing with Jeff Elder and Bureau Veritas.
5. Coordinate any required UCC inspections with the township's posted permit contacts.
6. Notify the issuing officer upon completion for final closeout.

Typical processing time: State UCC deadlines are 15 business days for residential and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended.

Source: Building Permit Officer, Tionesta Township; Bureau Veritas for UCC inspection support; Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater prior approval

General Requirements

Regulated UCC construction requires township review, and county prior approval applies to new impervious surface under the Forest County stormwater ordinance.

Required Documents

• Shared county permit form
• Sketch or site plan
• Sewage approvals if applicable
• Highway permit if applicable
• Workers compensation form
• Any additional documents requested by the township or Bureau Veritas

Permit validity

State UCC 180-day start and inactivity rule plus 5-year maximum validity apply.

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; Tionesta Township is OPT-IN with amendments.

Owner-builder

No special Tionesta Township owner-builder rule was found beyond the standard owner or agent filing structure and countywide workers compensation/cabin affidavit forms.

Contractor requirements

Pennsylvania HICPA registration applies where required.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25.00

Plan check fee

$300.00

Permit fee formula

County stormwater is flat by impervious area; township/UCC fee formula was not clearly posted.

Payment note

County plan approvals require payment first.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building Permit Officer, Tionesta Township; Bureau Veritas for UCC inspection support; 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

• 814-282-1852 (phone)
• 814-849-2448 (Bureau Veritas) (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections occur as directed under the UCC.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; Tionesta Township is OPT-IN with amendments.
• Forest County Stormwater Management
• 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Tionesta Township Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Tionesta Township, PA?

Regulated UCC construction requires township review, and county prior approval applies to new impervious surface under the Forest County stormwater ordinance.

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

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.

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

1. Contact Jeff Elder or the township office to confirm whether the project needs township permit review and what supporting approvals apply. 2. Prepare the shared Forest County permit application, sketch or site plan, 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 signoff, Tionesta Township completes local permit processing with Jeff Elder and Bureau Veritas. 5. Coordinate any required UCC inspections with the township's posted permit contacts. 6. Notify the issuing officer upon completion for final closeout.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Tionesta Township, PA?

Typical processing time is State UCC deadlines are 15 business days for residential and 30 business days for commercial permits unless extended..

What work is exempt from building permits in Tionesta 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, floodplain, and access approvals may still apply even where UCC work is exempt.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 814-282-1852, 814-849-2448 (Bureau Veritas).

Other cities in Forest County