Forest County, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Forest County does not appear to run a countywide general building-permit department for all projects. Every place in Forest County is within an incorporated municipality, and all nine municipalities in the county are OPT-IN. The county's verified role in public sources is stormwater and planning review, not countywide UCC permit issuance.

Department

Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater and planning matters only

Address

Forest County Courthouse, 526 Elm Street, Box 3, Tionesta, PA 16353

Phone

814-755-3450

Website

https://co.forest.pa.us/departments/stormwater_management.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine the municipality where the property sits because that municipality, not the county, issues the local UCC permit.
2. If the project creates new impervious surface, file the Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application and stormwater fee with the county Conservation District and Planning Office.
3. Include the required sketch and any other county stormwater materials needed for review.
4. The county reviews the stormwater portion and then sends the permit on to the municipality to complete the local building permit process.
5. Obtain the local township or borough permit and any required UCC inspections from the municipal permit officer or inspection agency.
6. Close out county and municipal requirements before final occupancy or use.

Typical processing time: The county page does not advertise a separate UCC permit clock because it is not the countywide building-permit issuer.

Source: Forest County Conservation District and Planning for county stormwater and planning matters only

General Requirements

Any creation of new impervious surfaces requires a Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application and fee. Any new construction requires this permit. Any structure remaining past 30 days requires a stormwater permit under the county stormwater ordinance.

Required Documents

• Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application
• Project sketch
• Any stormwater plan materials required by the county for larger projects

Permit validity

UCC building-permit expiration rules are set by the municipality and the state code, not by a countywide permit office.

Building code

Not applicable as a countywide permitting program. UCC adoption and enforcement in Forest County are municipal, and all nine municipalities are listed by PA L&I as OPT-IN.

Owner-builder

No county-specific owner-builder rule was found.

Contractor requirements

Pennsylvania HICPA registration applies for home improvement contractors over $5,000 where applicable.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25.00

Plan check fee

$300.00

Permit fee formula

$25.00 for 1 to 5,000 square feet of impervious surface; $150.00 for more than 5,000 square feet

Penalty (no permit)

$100.00

Payment note

The county states no plan will be approved before full payment of fees.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• A pool application does not generate a stormwater fee because the pool acts as retention, but a stormwater permit is still required so a building permit may be issued for electrical components.

Important: No countywide building-permit exemption list applies because the county is not the general UCC permit issuer. Municipal UCC exemptions come from state law and local municipal administration, not from a countywide building department.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: County stormwater review is separate from local UCC inspections. Building inspections are scheduled through the municipality or its designated inspection agency.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Not applicable as a countywide permitting program. UCC adoption and enforcement in Forest County are municipal, and all nine municipalities are listed by PA L&I as OPT-IN.
• Forest County Conservation District & Planning
• 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

Forest County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Forest County, PA?

Any creation of new impervious surfaces requires a Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application and fee. Any new construction requires this permit. Any structure remaining past 30 days requires a stormwater permit under the county stormwater ordinance.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Forest County, PA?

The minimum permit fee is $25.00. Fees are calculated as: $25.00 for 1 to 5,000 square feet of impervious surface; $150.00 for more than 5,000 square feet. Plan check fee: $300.00.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Forest County, PA?

1. Determine the municipality where the property sits because that municipality, not the county, issues the local UCC permit. 2. If the project creates new impervious surface, file the Forest County Municipal Permit/Prior Approval Application and stormwater fee with the county Conservation District and Planning Office. 3. Include the required sketch and any other county stormwater materials needed for review. 4. The county reviews the stormwater portion and then sends the permit on to the municipality to complete the local building permit process. 5. Obtain the local township or borough permit and any required UCC inspections from the municipal permit officer or inspection agency. 6. Close out county and municipal requirements before final occupancy or use.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Forest County, PA?

Typical processing time is The county page does not advertise a separate UCC permit clock because it is not the countywide building-permit issuer..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Forest County, PA?

The following work is generally exempt: A pool application does not generate a stormwater fee because the pool acts as retention, but a stormwater permit is still required so a building permit may be issued for electrical components.. Note: No countywide building-permit exemption list applies because the county is not the general UCC permit issuer. Municipal UCC exemptions come from state law and local municipal administration, not from a countywide building department.