Freeport Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Listed as OPT-OUT on the Commonwealth UCC municipality table. The Department of Labor and Industry handles all commercial code enforcement; certified third-party agencies hired by property owners enforce residential UCC requirements. Local municipal contact: Freeport Township Building, 773 Golden Oaks Road, PO Box 4, New Freeport, PA 15352 / 724-447-2082.

Department

Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Buildings Section (commercial); certified third-party agency retained by property owner or contractor (residential)

Address

Department of Labor and Industry, Buildings Section, 651 Boas Street, Room 1606, Harrisburg, PA 17121-0750

Phone

717-787-3806

Website

https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dli/programs-services/labor-management-relations/bureau-of-occupational-and-industrial-safety/uniform-construction-code-home.html

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm that the project is in Freeport Township, which the Commonwealth UCC municipality table lists as OPT-OUT.
2. For commercial construction, signs, or demolitions, prepare the L&I package and submit it to the Buildings Section using the Commonwealth's UCC instructions.
3. For residential UCC work, hire a certified third-party agency — the Commonwealth UCC page states residential enforcement in opt-out municipalities is performed by certified third-party agencies retained by the property owner or contractor.
4. Obtain any separate local zoning, sewage, driveway, floodplain, or other non-UCC approvals before permit issuance where required.
5. Respond to review comments, secure the permit, and schedule inspections through the responsible state or third-party reviewer before proceeding to occupancy or closeout.

Typical processing time: Expedited plan review is available within 7 days for an added charge. Incomplete submissions may be returned if requested information is not supplied within 10 calendar days.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Buildings Section (commercial); certified third-party agency retained by property owner or contractor (residential)

General Requirements

Pennsylvania UCC rules require permits for new construction, additions, many structural alterations, demolition, change of occupancy, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work unless an exemption applies. In opt-out municipalities, commercial permits go to L&I and residential UCC enforcement goes to a certified third-party agency retained by the owner or contractor.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Plans and specifications
• Site plan
• Parcel and project information
• All other required permits or approvals related to the construction

Permit validity

A permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. A permit may not remain valid more than 5 years from issue date without extensions.

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. The triennial update approved October 2025 became effective January 1, 2026. The 2021 accessibility updates remain enjoined and 2018 accessibility requirements still apply.

Owner-builder

For residential work in opt-out municipalities, the property owner or contractor must retain a certified third-party agency for UCC enforcement.

Contractor requirements

Pennsylvania home improvement contractors performing work over $5,000 must confirm HICPA registration.

Fees

Plan check fee

Varies by responsible reviewer; expedited L&I review is available at extra cost.

Payment note

Confirm directly with L&I for commercial work or with the selected certified third-party agency for residential work before filing.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences no more than 6 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
• Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons if the height-to-width ratio does not exceed 2 to 1
• Sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling
• Window awnings that project no more than 54 inches and need no additional support
• Uncovered decks with floor no more than 30 inches above grade
• Installation or rearrangement of communications wiring
• Ordinary repairs, except work that removes load-bearing elements, affects required egress, or rearranges regulated plumbing, gas, mechanical, or electrical systems

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with the responsible enforcing agency before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Call the assigned inspector shown on the inspection log (state-handled projects); contact chosen third-party agency for residential (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Inspections outside normal hours are available on written request for added cost.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical UCC phases include footing or foundation, systems, framing or masonry, wallboard where applicable, and final inspection. The exact sequence depends on project type and reviewer.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. The triennial update approved October 2025 became effective January 1, 2026. The 2021 accessibility updates remain enjoined and 2018 accessibility requirements still apply.
• Verify contractor license: Pennsylvania HICPA Contractor Registration
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Pennsylvania UCC Home Page
• Pennsylvania UCC Municipality Table
• Pennsylvania UCC Chapter 403 Regulations
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Freeport Township Building Permit FAQ

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

Pennsylvania UCC rules require permits for new construction, additions, many structural alterations, demolition, change of occupancy, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work unless an exemption applies. In opt-out municipalities, commercial permits go to L&I and residential UCC enforcement goes to a certified third-party agency retained by the owner or contractor.

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

1. Confirm that the project is in Freeport Township, which the Commonwealth UCC municipality table lists as OPT-OUT. 2. For commercial construction, signs, or demolitions, prepare the L&I package and submit it to the Buildings Section using the Commonwealth's UCC instructions. 3. For residential UCC work, hire a certified third-party agency — the Commonwealth UCC page states residential enforcement in opt-out municipalities is performed by certified third-party agencies retained by the property owner or contractor. 4. Obtain any separate local zoning, sewage, driveway, floodplain, or other non-UCC approvals before permit issuance where required. 5. Respond to review comments, secure the permit, and schedule inspections through the responsible state or third-party reviewer before proceeding to occupancy or closeout.

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

Typical processing time is Expedited plan review is available within 7 days for an added charge. Incomplete submissions may be returned if requested information is not supplied within 10 calendar days..

What work is exempt from building permits in Freeport Township, PA?

The following work is generally exempt: Fences no more than 6 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons if the height-to-width ratio does not exceed 2 to 1; Sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above adjacent grade and not over a basement or story below; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Swings and playground equipment accessory to a one- or two-family dwelling; Window awnings that project no more than 54 inches and need no additional support; Uncovered decks with floor no more than 30 inches above grade; Installation or rearrangement of communications wiring; Ordinary repairs, except work that removes load-bearing elements, affects required egress, or rearranges regulated plumbing, gas, mechanical, or electrical systems. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with the responsible enforcing agency before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Call the assigned inspector shown on the inspection log (state-handled projects); contact chosen third-party agency for residential.

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