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

The minimum permit fee is $50 plus the $4.50 state fee for listed miscellaneous residential projects in county-enforced jurisdictions. Fees are calculated as: Project-specific; square-foot based for many residential code permits and flat for some planning functions. Plan check fee: $100 for new homes; $50 for detached accessory structures over 1,000 square feet.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Replacement of roof shingles or other roof coverings; Non-structural basement finishing; Installation of a new furnace, water heater, air conditioner, or similar appliance; Installation of a new generator (utility may still require electrical inspection); Unroofed deck less than 30 inches above grade. Note: No single countywide exempt-work list applies to all municipalities. These examples apply in LCPD-served residential jurisdictions. Confirm with LCPD or your municipality before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lebanon County, PA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Call Heather at 717-304-4066. Provide as much advance notice as possible; first-come, first-served scheduling..

County Building Permits

Lebanon County, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Pennsylvania Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Lebanon County does not operate a countywide general building-permit department for all municipalities. County functions cover municipalities that contract with LCPD for zoning or UCC enforcement, plus county subdivision, sewage, and related planning functions. For properties in incorporated municipalities, contact the local municipal office and its designated code agency.

Department: Lebanon County Planning Department
Address: Room 206, Municipal Building, 400 S 8th St, Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: 717-228-4444
Email: lcpdreview@lebanoncountypa.gov
Website: https://www.lebanoncountypa.gov/departments/planning

Online Permit Portal

Open Lebanon County Planning Department

Platform: Email and paper submission through LCPD • Account required: No • Submission: Online or in-person

Additional resources:

Commonwealth Code Inspection Service

Application Process

Determine whether the project site is in a municipality that uses LCPD for zoning or residential UCC enforcement.
If it is, follow the county application path for zoning, sewage, subdivision, and residential code review as applicable.
Submit the signed UCC application and PDF plans to lcpdreview@lebanoncountypa.gov, or drop off one paper set at Room 206, Municipal Building.
LCPD quotes the fee after review and issues the residential permit after payment; commercial code submissions are forwarded to CCIS after county zoning processing.
If the site is in a municipality that does not use LCPD, use the municipality's own zoning office and its appointed UCC inspection agency.

Typical processing time: LCPD states 15 business days after a complete residential UCC submission in its contracted jurisdictions.

Source: Lebanon County Planning Department

General Requirements

County requirements depend on whether the municipality has contracted with the County for zoning, sewage, subdivision, or residential UCC administration. In LCPD-served municipalities, permits are required for new dwellings, additions, manufactured homes, roofed porches and patios, decks over 30 inches high, accessory structures over UCC thresholds, structural alterations, pools, hot tubs, solar, and other UCC-regulated work.

Required Documents

UCC application
Readable construction plans
Site information
Zoning permit if required
Trade details as applicable
Sewage or subdivision materials if required

Permit validity: County UCC permit form states the permit may become invalid if work does not start within 180 days, is inactive for 180 days, or is not completed within 5 years. County zoning permits are generally valid 1 to 2 years.
Building code: Pennsylvania UCC using the 2018 I-Codes as amended by state regulation, where the County is the enforcing agency.
Owner-builder: Owner or authorized agent may sign county UCC applications.
Contractor requirements: Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) registration is required for covered home improvement work over $5,000.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $50 plus the $4.50 state fee for listed miscellaneous residential projects in county-enforced jurisdictions
Plan check fee: $100 for new homes; $50 for detached accessory structures over 1,000 square feet
Permit fee formula: Project-specific; square-foot based for many residential code permits and flat for some planning functions
Reinspection fee: Not consolidated in one countywide schedule
Payment note: County residential worksheet says check or cash.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Replacement of roof shingles or other roof coverings
Non-structural basement finishing
Installation of a new furnace, water heater, air conditioner, or similar appliance
Installation of a new generator (utility may still require electrical inspection)
Unroofed deck less than 30 inches above grade

Important: No single countywide exempt-work list applies to all municipalities. These examples apply in LCPD-served residential jurisdictions. Confirm with LCPD or your municipality before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Call Heather at 717-304-4066 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Provide as much advance notice as possible; first-come, first-served scheduling.
Inspection hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence for residential UCC permits: footer, foundation, framing, insulation, drywall where required, and final, with specialty inspections as needed.

Additional Resources

Building code: Pennsylvania UCC using the 2018 I-Codes as amended by state regulation, where the County is the enforcing agency.
Verify contractor license: Pennsylvania L&I UCC / HICPA Information
Zoning information: View zoning info
Commonwealth Code Inspection Service
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 Lebanon County Planning Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lebanon County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lebanon County, PA?: County requirements depend on whether the municipality has contracted with the County for zoning, sewage, subdivision, or residential UCC administration. In LCPD-served municipalities, permits are required for new dwellings, additions, manufactured homes, roofed porches and patios, decks over 30 inches high, accessory structures over UCC thresholds, structural alterations, pools, hot tubs, solar, and other UCC-regulated work.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lebanon County, PA?: The minimum permit fee is $50 plus the $4.50 state fee for listed miscellaneous residential projects in county-enforced jurisdictions. Fees are calculated as: Project-specific; square-foot based for many residential code permits and flat for some planning functions. Plan check fee: $100 for new homes; $50 for detached accessory structures over 1,000 square feet.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lebanon County, PA?: 1. Determine whether the project site is in a municipality that uses LCPD for zoning or residential UCC enforcement. 2. If it is, follow the county application path for zoning, sewage, subdivision, and residential code review as applicable. 3. Submit the signed UCC application and PDF plans to lcpdreview@lebanoncountypa.gov, or drop off one paper set at Room 206, Municipal Building. 4. LCPD quotes the fee after review and issues the residential permit after payment; commercial code submissions are forwarded to CCIS after county zoning processing. 5. If the site is in a municipality that does not use LCPD, use the municipality's own zoning office and its appointed UCC inspection agency.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Lebanon County, PA?: Typical processing time is LCPD states 15 business days after a complete residential UCC submission in its contracted jurisdictions..
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lebanon County, PA?: The following work is generally exempt: Replacement of roof shingles or other roof coverings; Non-structural basement finishing; Installation of a new furnace, water heater, air conditioner, or similar appliance; Installation of a new generator (utility may still require electrical inspection); Unroofed deck less than 30 inches above grade. Note: No single countywide exempt-work list applies to all municipalities. These examples apply in LCPD-served residential jurisdictions. Confirm with LCPD or your municipality before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lebanon County, PA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Call Heather at 717-304-4066. Provide as much advance notice as possible; first-come, first-served scheduling..

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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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