City Building Permits
Center Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Center Township, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
ICOPD currently administers UCC building permits for Center Township. Effective April 13, 2026, Center Township assumes full responsibility for UCC administration and enforcement for all new permits. Existing permits issued before April 13, 2026 remain with ICOPD through completion. After April 13, 2026, contact Center Township directly at (724) 479-2688.
- Department
- Indiana County Office of Planning and Development (transitioning to Center Township on April 13, 2026)
- Address
- 801 Water St., Indiana, PA 15701-1705
- Phone
- (724) 465-3870
- ucc@ceo.co.indiana.pa.us
Online Permit Portal
Platform: ICOPD downloadable PDF application packets • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- For permits filed before April 13, 2026, use the ICOPD application path.
- Select the correct ICOPD residential or commercial packet and confirm SALDO review with Josh Krug if the project is commercial.
- Submit the application by mail or in person with drawings, application fee, and any required workers compensation form.
- For permits filed on or after April 13, 2026, contact Center Township directly at (724) 479-2688 for the township's new process.
- Schedule inspections through the authority that issued the permit and complete final approval before occupancy.
Typical processing time: No ICOPD-specific turnaround posted. Pennsylvania UCC residential review is generally 15 business days, or 5 business days with a design professional certification.
General Requirements
Pennsylvania UCC permit triggers apply to new construction, additions, structural alterations, demolition, change of occupancy, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Construction drawings
- Application fee
- Notarized workers compensation form (if applicant or contractor lacks workers compensation insurance)
- Any other municipal approvals required by the project
- Permit validity
- Permits become invalid if work does not begin within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days. A permit may not remain valid for more than 5 years from issuance.
- Building code
- Pennsylvania UCC. Pennsylvania L&I lists Center Township as OPT-IN with no amendments noted.
- Owner-builder
- An owner or authorized agent may apply. If the applicant or contractor does not carry workers compensation insurance, the notarized exemption form is required.
- Contractor requirements
- HICPA registration is required for covered Pennsylvania home improvement contractors performing at least $5,000 of work per year.
Fees
- Payment note
- For the current ICOPD path, the application must be submitted with the application fee and drawings. Post-April 13, 2026 fee information was not yet posted as of research date.
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 with compliant proportions
- Sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above 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-family or two-family dwelling
- Window awnings projecting 54 inches or less and not requiring additional support
- Uncovered decks with walking surface no more than 30 inches above grade
- Installation or rearrangement of communications wiring
- Ordinary repairs, except work affecting bearing walls, structural supports, egress, or regulated utility and MEP systems
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with ICOPD or Center Township before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ucc@ceo.co.indiana.pa.us (for permits issued through ICOPD) (email)
- (724) 465-3879 (leave a message, for permits issued through ICOPD) (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (ICOPD)
Typical inspection sequence: Pennsylvania UCC residential baseline: foundation, plumbing/mechanical/electrical rough, frame and masonry, wallboard, and final inspection.
For permits issued on or after April 13, 2026, contact Center Township directly at (724) 479-2688 for inspection scheduling.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Pennsylvania UCC. Pennsylvania L&I lists Center Township as OPT-IN with no amendments noted.
- Verify contractor license: Pennsylvania HICPA Contractor Registration
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- ICOPD Contact
- Pennsylvania L&I UCC Municipal Elections and Contact 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 Indiana County Office of Planning and Development (transitioning to Center Township on April 13, 2026) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Center Township Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Center Township, PA?
- Pennsylvania UCC permit triggers apply to new construction, additions, structural alterations, demolition, change of occupancy, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Center Township, PA?
- 1. For permits filed before April 13, 2026, use the ICOPD application path. 2. Select the correct ICOPD residential or commercial packet and confirm SALDO review with Josh Krug if the project is commercial. 3. Submit the application by mail or in person with drawings, application fee, and any required workers compensation form. 4. For permits filed on or after April 13, 2026, contact Center Township directly at (724) 479-2688 for the township's new process. 5. Schedule inspections through the authority that issued the permit and complete final approval before occupancy.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Center Township, PA?
- Typical processing time is No ICOPD-specific turnaround posted. Pennsylvania UCC residential review is generally 15 business days, or 5 business days with a design professional certification..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Center 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 with compliant proportions; Sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above 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-family or two-family dwelling; Window awnings projecting 54 inches or less and not requiring additional support; Uncovered decks with walking surface no more than 30 inches above grade; Installation or rearrangement of communications wiring; Ordinary repairs, except work affecting bearing walls, structural supports, egress, or regulated utility and MEP systems. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with ICOPD or Center Township before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Center Township, PA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: ucc@ceo.co.indiana.pa.us (for permits issued through ICOPD), (724) 465-3879 (leave a message, for permits issued through ICOPD).
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