On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for South Whitehall Township
The township says building permits are required in many situations and publishes a list of residential situations where they are not required. Commercial construction generally requires permits for alterations, additions, and new construction unless an exception applies.
Alterations with fair market value under $500, including labor and materials
Retaining walls under 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
Fences under 4 feet high unless serving as the required pool barrier
Concrete patios (building permit not required but zoning permit required)
Decks 30 inches or less above grade (building permit not required but zoning permit required)
Detached residential accessory buildings under 500 square feet
In-kind window, storm window, door, garage door, and storm door replacement in the same clear-width opening without framing changes
Replacement of existing roof material without structural roof framing changes
Replacement of glass, gutters, leaders, and exterior siding
Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, similar finish work, and shallow prefabricated pools up to 24 inches of water
- Exempt Alterations with fair market value under $500, including labor and materials
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
- Exempt Fences under 4 feet high unless serving as the required pool barrier
- Exempt Concrete patios (building permit not required but zoning permit required)
- Exempt Decks 30 inches or less above grade (building permit not required but zoning permit required)
- Exempt Detached residential accessory buildings under 500 square feet
- Exempt In-kind window, storm window, door, garage door, and storm door replacement in the same clear-width opening without framing changes
- Exempt Replacement of existing roof material without structural roof framing changes
- Exempt Replacement of glass, gutters, leaders, and exterior siding
- Exempt Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, similar finish work, and shallow prefabricated pools up to 24 inches of water
Note: Refer to the township permit page for the complete residential exemption list and any additional conditions.
Required documents
- Completed application
- Plans and specifications in the quantities required by the reviewing agency
- Workers compensation coverage or exemption form
- Other supporting reviews depending on scope
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, with current PA UCC adoption based on the 2021 ICC series effective January 1, 2026.
- Permit validity
- Not clearly published on the permit page reviewed.
- Owner-builder
- Not clearly summarized on the permit page reviewed.
- Contractor requirements
- Workers compensation insurance or exemption form is published. The fee schedule also includes annual master and journeyman plumber license fees. Pennsylvania HICPA registration still applies where required.
Source: South Whitehall Township Community Development, Building and Construction ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Processing time not clearly published.
- 01 Download the correct permit or license application from the township permit page.
- 02 Submit the completed package to the Township Building at 4444 Walbert Avenue or use the secure drop box.
- 03 Pay by check or money order; the township says cash and credit cards are not accepted at this time.
- 04 The township forwards the processed application to third-party agencies and or the zoning officer for review.
- 05 After approval, a permit clerk contacts the applicant regarding issuance fees.
- 06 Pay issuance fees before pick-up or mail payment so the permit can be mailed back.
Typical processing time: Processing time not clearly published.
Source: South Whitehall Township Community Development, Building and Construction ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
South Whitehall Township building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50 application fee for residential construction, non-residential building, and major non-residential trade permits
02
Plan check fee
Incorporated into township review structure; additional plan re-reviews are $50 each
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed; application fee plus issuance fee table largely based on building gross square footage or permit category.
04
Reinspection fee
Additional inspections or re-inspections by SWT inspectors are $50 each; zoning re-reviews and floodplain re-reviews also carry additional fees
Permit page currently says pay by check or money order and do not email applications. Fee schedule separately lists a variable credit card processing fee for township payments generally.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Through permit clerks and the applicable reviewing or inspection agency after issuance (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays
Typical sequence: The fee schedule notes typical inspections such as footer, foundation, building, accessibility and energy rough-ins, insulation, wallboard, and finals.
Source: South Whitehall Township Community Development, Building and Construction ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about South Whitehall Township permits
01 Do I need a building permit in South Whitehall Township, PA? ▸
The township says building permits are required in many situations and publishes a list of residential situations where they are not required. Commercial construction generally requires permits for alterations, additions, and new construction unless an exception applies.
02 How much does a building permit cost in South Whitehall Township, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in South Whitehall Township, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50 application fee for residential construction, non-residential building, and major non-residential trade permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed; application fee plus issuance fee table largely based on building gross square footage or permit category.. Plan check fee: Incorporated into township review structure; additional plan re-reviews are $50 each.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in South Whitehall Township, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in South Whitehall Township, PA, follow these steps: 1. Download the correct permit or license application from the township permit page. 2. Submit the completed package to the Township Building at 4444 Walbert Avenue or use the secure drop box. 3. Pay by check or money order; the township says cash and credit cards are not accepted at this time. 4. The township forwards the processed application to third-party agencies and or the zoning officer for review. 5. After approval, a permit clerk contacts the applicant regarding issuance fees. 6. Pay issuance fees before pick-up or mail payment so the permit can be mailed back.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in South Whitehall Township, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in South Whitehall Township, PA typically run Processing time not clearly published.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in South Whitehall Township, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in South Whitehall Township, PA. The following work is generally exempt: Alterations with fair market value under $500, including labor and materials; Retaining walls under 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge; Fences under 4 feet high unless serving as the required pool barrier; Concrete patios (building permit not required but zoning permit required); Decks 30 inches or less above grade (building permit not required but zoning permit required); Detached residential accessory buildings under 500 square feet; In-kind window, storm window, door, garage door, and storm door replacement in the same clear-width opening without framing changes; Replacement of existing roof material without structural roof framing changes; Replacement of glass, gutters, leaders, and exterior siding; Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, similar finish work, and shallow prefabricated pools up to 24 inches of water. Note: Refer to the township permit page for the complete residential exemption list and any additional conditions. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in South Whitehall Township, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in South Whitehall Township, PA via: Through permit clerks and the applicable reviewing or inspection agency after issuance.
last verified April 2026
source South Whitehall Township Community Development, Building and Construction ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/lehigh/south-whitehall-township
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with South Whitehall Township Community Development, Building and Construction before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.