City of Wilkes-Barre

Electrical, building, plumbing, HVAC, driveways, and curb cuts; homeowners may apply only for their primary residence

Note: No Wilkes-Barre-specific exemption list was posted on the city permit page. Pennsylvania UCC residential exemptions include fences 6 feet high or less, retaining walls 4 feet or less that do not support surcharge, on-grade water tanks up to 5,000 gallons, sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above grade and not over a story below, prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep, playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings, qualifying window awnings, and uncovered decks no more than 30 inches above grade.

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; PA L&I states the triennial update based on the 2021 ICC series is effective January 1, 2026

Permit validity

Pennsylvania UCC default applies where the city page does not publish a different local rule; permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days, and cannot remain valid beyond 5 years

Owner-builder

Homeowners may apply only for work on their primary residence and are then responsible for all work and inspections

Contractor requirements

City-licensed contractors are required for contractor-filed permits; Pennsylvania HICPA registration still applies where required

1. 01
   Confirm permit need with the Building Permits page; permits are required for electrical, building, plumbing, HVAC, and driveways/curb cuts.
2. 02
   Complete the city building permit application and include a signed contract; large commercial projects must also include three sets of drawings plus a labeled flash drive.
3. 03
   Submit the application electronically to the permits clerk, by mail, or in person at City Hall.
4. 04
   Pay the permit fee and any inspection or third-party plan review charges.
5. 05
   Pick up or receive the issued permit by mail, then display it on site.
6. 06
   Schedule required inspections and keep the permit posted until completion.

Typical processing time: Commercial permit applications without commercial drawings are available for pickup after 12:00 p.m. on the 3rd business day; residential timing is not separately posted

Source: City of Wilkes-Barre, Building Code Enforcement / Code Enforcement ↗

Electronic submissions are mailed out after payment is processed if not picked up in person

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

• Code Enforcement Office (phone)
• City Hall (in-person)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical sequence: Project-specific; the city separately uses BHW for existing commercial inspections and requires permit holders to keep permits posted until completion

Source: City of Wilkes-Barre, Building Code Enforcement / Code Enforcement ↗