City Building Permits

Greenwood Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Greenwood Township, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Pennsylvania Juniata County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within Greenwood Township, Juniata County. UCC enforcement is handled locally through Building Inspection Underwriters of PA, Inc. (BIU). Pennsylvania L&I lists Greenwood Township as OPT-IN effective July 1, 2004.

Department
Greenwood Township
Address
13486 RT 235, Millerstown, PA 17062
Phone
717-589-3915

Online Permit Portal

Platform: Building Inspection Underwriters of PA, Inc. (BIU) • Account required: No • Submission: Online or in-person

Additional resources:

Application Process

  1. Confirm local prerequisites and zoning requirements with Greenwood Township.
  2. Download the applicable BIU permit form and review the residential or commercial plan-review guidance on the BIU website.
  3. Prepare the application, plans, site plan, contractor information, workers compensation proof or exemption, and any required outside approvals.
  4. Submit materials to the township or BIU as directed by the form instructions.
  5. BIU reviews the package for Pennsylvania UCC compliance and coordinates any required corrections.
  6. Pay fees, receive the permit, post it on site, and schedule required inspections with BIU using your permit number, 9-1-1 street address, and inspection type.

Typical processing time: Pennsylvania Act 45 statutory review periods apply: 15 business days for one- and two-family dwellings, 5 business days with a licensed design professional certification, and 30 business days for other permits. No shorter Greenwood-specific estimate was published.

Source: Greenwood Township

General Requirements

Permit triggers follow 34 Pa. Code 403.42 under the Pennsylvania UCC. A permit is generally required for construction, alteration, repair, removal, change of occupancy, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work.

Required Documents

  • Completed permit application
  • Plans
  • Site plan
  • Contractor information
  • Workers compensation proof or exemption
  • Any project-specific outside approvals
Permit validity
Permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after commencement. Maximum validity is 5 years from issuance under 34 Pa. Code 403.42a(g).
Building code
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC). L&I municipality list shows OPT-IN with no amendments.
Owner-builder
BIU states it is the responsibility of licensed contractors, owner-builders, and subcontractors to ensure code compliance.
Contractor requirements
No township-specific contractor license required. State home improvement registration rules may apply for qualifying work.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Fences not over 6 feet high
  • Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids
  • Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons within code limits
  • Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route
  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
  • Ordinary repairs as defined by 34 Pa. Code 403.42(d)

Important: No township-specific exempt-work handout was found. Pennsylvania UCC exemptions and ordinary-repair rules in 34 Pa. Code 403.42 apply. Confirm with Greenwood Township before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Call BIU to request inspections; have your permit number, 9-1-1 street address, and inspection type ready (phone)
Scheduling deadline
At least 24 hours notice is required for inspections per BIU residential guidelines.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical BIU sequence: footing, plumbing under slab (when applicable), slab, foundation, rough-in, and final. Work should not proceed beyond each stage without approval. No building may be occupied until all inspections are approved and a certificate of occupancy is issued.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Greenwood Township before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Greenwood Township Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Greenwood Township, PA?
Permit triggers follow 34 Pa. Code 403.42 under the Pennsylvania UCC. A permit is generally required for construction, alteration, repair, removal, change of occupancy, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work.
How do I apply for a building permit in Greenwood Township, PA?
1. Confirm local prerequisites and zoning requirements with Greenwood Township. 2. Download the applicable BIU permit form and review the residential or commercial plan-review guidance on the BIU website. 3. Prepare the application, plans, site plan, contractor information, workers compensation proof or exemption, and any required outside approvals. 4. Submit materials to the township or BIU as directed by the form instructions. 5. BIU reviews the package for Pennsylvania UCC compliance and coordinates any required corrections. 6. Pay fees, receive the permit, post it on site, and schedule required inspections with BIU using your permit number, 9-1-1 street address, and inspection type.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Greenwood Township, PA?
Typical processing time is Pennsylvania Act 45 statutory review periods apply: 15 business days for one- and two-family dwellings, 5 business days with a licensed design professional certification, and 30 business days for other permits. No shorter Greenwood-specific estimate was published..
What work is exempt from building permits in Greenwood Township, PA?
The following work is generally exempt: Fences not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge or impounding certain liquids; Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons within code limits; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade, not over a basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Ordinary repairs as defined by 34 Pa. Code 403.42(d). Note: No township-specific exempt-work handout was found. Pennsylvania UCC exemptions and ordinary-repair rules in 34 Pa. Code 403.42 apply. Confirm with Greenwood Township before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Greenwood Township, PA?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Call BIU to request inspections; have your permit number, 9-1-1 street address, and inspection type ready. At least 24 hours notice is required for inspections per BIU residential guidelines..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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