Scranton, PA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Scranton, Department of Economic and Community Development, Bureau of Code Enforcement

Street address

340 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18503

Phone

570-348-4193

toleski@scrantonpa.gov

Coverage

Applies within Scranton city limits; code enforcement is handled in-house by the city, with commercial plan review also routed through NEIC per the city permit process page

Online portal

OpenGov

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Scranton

All construction projects require a permit; almost everything needs a permit including solar, decks, business construction, and most other work

Scope of work

Permit?

Painting inside or outside of homes

Exempt

Gutter installation

Exempt

Exempt Painting inside or outside of homes
Exempt Gutter installation

Required documents

Complete application
Contractor or homeowner information
Scope of work
Required plans
Contract copy when a contractor is doing the work
Any floodplain, zoning, or historic review materials applicable to the site

Building code: Effective January 1, 2026: 2021 ICC code set as adopted through the Pennsylvania UCC, plus 2024 IPMC, 2020 NEC, and 2017 ANSI 117.1
Permit validity: No standard permit expiration was clearly published
Owner-builder: Homeowners may pull permits only when doing the work themselves; if a contractor is doing the work, the contractor must pull the permit
Contractor requirements: Contractors working in Scranton must be city-licensed and insured; the city requires a certificate of insurance for all licenses and states multiple license classes require testing

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: One to two business days for permits generally; 15 business days for residential permits and 30 business days for commercial permits

01

Contact Code Enforcement first to confirm code requirements and whether plans are required.
02

Complete zoning review first, including any variance, special exception, conditional use, historic review, or floodplain review that applies.
03

Submit the permit application through OpenGov or the city permit workflow, with plans for new construction, expansions, and other projects requiring plan review.
04

For commercial work, complete third-party plan review through NEIC where required.
05

After approval, pay fees and pick up or print the permit, then post it visibly on site.
06

Complete inspections during construction and obtain the final certificate of occupancy when applicable.

Typical processing time: One to two business days for permits generally; 15 business days for residential permits and 30 business days for commercial permits

Source: City of Scranton, Department of Economic and Community Development, Bureau of Code Enforcement ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Scranton building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$30 for projects costing $1 to $300, plus $4.50 state fee

Plan check fee

Building plan review up to $3,000,000 is 0.000715 x construction cost with a $137.50 minimum; trade plan review charges are generally 25% of the building fee

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based permit fee table

Penalty (no permit)

Work without a permit doubles the fee

Permit is issued after approval and payment; permit pickup or printout occurs after approval

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

City page states an inspector will reach out to request an inspection for completed work (contact)
Call Code Enforcement for permit and inspection assistance (phone)

Inspection hours: Office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; full-time code officer on duty Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM beginning the week of January 6, 2025

Typical sequence: Permit issuance, any needed trade and building inspections during work, then final inspection and certificate of occupancy where applicable

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Scranton permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Scranton, PA? ▸

All construction projects require a permit; almost everything needs a permit including solar, decks, business construction, and most other work

02 How much does a building permit cost in Scranton, PA? ▸

Building permit fees in Scranton, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $30 for projects costing $1 to $300, plus $4.50 state fee. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based permit fee table. Plan check fee: Building plan review up to $3,000,000 is 0.000715 x construction cost with a $137.50 minimum; trade plan review charges are generally 25% of the building fee.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Scranton, PA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Scranton, PA, follow these steps: 1. Contact Code Enforcement first to confirm code requirements and whether plans are required. 2. Complete zoning review first, including any variance, special exception, conditional use, historic review, or floodplain review that applies. 3. Submit the permit application through OpenGov or the city permit workflow, with plans for new construction, expansions, and other projects requiring plan review. 4. For commercial work, complete third-party plan review through NEIC where required. 5. After approval, pay fees and pick up or print the permit, then post it visibly on site. 6. Complete inspections during construction and obtain the final certificate of occupancy when applicable.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Scranton, PA? ▸

Building permit processing times in Scranton, PA typically run One to two business days for permits generally; 15 business days for residential permits and 30 business days for commercial permits. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Scranton, PA? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Scranton, PA. The following work is generally exempt: Painting inside or outside of homes; Gutter installation. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Scranton, PA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Scranton, PA via: City page states an inspector will reach out to request an inspection for completed work, Call Code Enforcement for permit and inspection assistance.

last verified April 2026 source City of Scranton, Department of Economic and Community Development, Bureau of Code Enforcement ↗ entry id permits/pennsylvania/lackawanna/scranton

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Scranton, Department of Economic and Community Development, Bureau of Code Enforcement before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Scranton

Other jurisdictions in Lackawanna County.