Lehigh County, PA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Not applicable for a separate countywide unincorporated territory permit office

Street address

Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South 7th Street, Allentown, PA 18101

Phone

(610) 782-3000

Coverage

Lehigh County is divided into municipalities. The county's own materials describe 25 municipalities in the county, and no separate unincorporated county permitting program was identified for general building permits.

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Lehigh County

Permit requirements depend on the municipality where the parcel is located.

Note: Use the actual municipality's exemption guidance instead of assuming county-level rules.

Required documents

Determined by the municipality with jurisdiction

Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as enforced by the municipality or designated enforcement agency.
Permit validity: Determined by the municipality with jurisdiction.
Owner-builder: Determined by the municipality with jurisdiction.
Contractor requirements: Pennsylvania HICPA registration applies where required. Any additional local requirements depend on the municipality with jurisdiction.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Varies by municipality.

01

Confirm the parcel's actual municipality, because Lehigh County general building permits are handled at the municipal level rather than through a separate county unincorporated-area permit office.
02

Apply to the city, borough, township, or state-designated third-party or Labor and Industry authority that has jurisdiction over that parcel.

Typical processing time: Varies by municipality.

Source: Not applicable for a separate countywide unincorporated territory permit office ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Lehigh County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Varies by municipality.

Permit fee formula

Determined by the municipality with jurisdiction.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Through the actual municipality or designated enforcement agency (phone)

Inspection hours: Determined by the municipality with jurisdiction.

Typical sequence: Determined by the municipality with jurisdiction.

Source: Not applicable for a separate countywide unincorporated territory permit office ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Lehigh County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lehigh County, PA? ▸

Permit requirements depend on the municipality where the parcel is located.

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lehigh County, PA? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Lehigh County, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Varies by municipality.. Fees are calculated as: Determined by the municipality with jurisdiction..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lehigh County, PA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lehigh County, PA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel's actual municipality, because Lehigh County general building permits are handled at the municipal level rather than through a separate county unincorporated-area permit office. 2. Apply to the city, borough, township, or state-designated third-party or Labor and Industry authority that has jurisdiction over that parcel.

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Lehigh County, PA typically run Varies by municipality.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lehigh County, PA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lehigh County, PA via: Through the actual municipality or designated enforcement agency.

last verified April 2026 source Not applicable for a separate countywide unincorporated territory permit office ↗ entry id permits/pennsylvania/lehigh/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Not applicable for a separate countywide unincorporated territory permit office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Lehigh County