How much does a building permit cost in Brown Township, PA?

The minimum permit fee is Residential minimums from $200 to $616 by project type; commercial new-construction minimum $385.. Fees are calculated as: Square-footage and valuation formulas depending on project type per the publicly posted Mifflin and Centre Counties Bureau Veritas schedules.. Plan check fee: Included in commercial permit fee; residential permit-not-issued plan review is 30% of projected permit fee..

How do I apply for a building permit in Brown Township, PA?

1. Contact Brown Township for zoning questions and to confirm local requirements. 2. Complete the Bureau Veritas permit application and gather the required plans and supporting documents. 3. Submit the building-permit package to Bureau Veritas in Lewistown at 75 Reserve Lane. 4. Bureau Veritas reviews the submission under the Pennsylvania UCC. 5. Pay fees, receive the permit, and call for inspections.

What work is exempt from building permits in Brown Township, PA?

The following work is generally exempt: Fences 6 feet or less in height; Retaining walls under 4 feet high unless used for structural bearing; Water tanks on grade under 5,000 gallons; Sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above grade and not over a basement or story below; Exterior or interior painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Window awnings within code limits; Replacement windows and doors that do not require framing alteration; Replacement of existing roofing material and existing siding; Non-structural porch or stoop repairs, added insulation, and rainwater gutters and leaders; Uncovered decks 30 inches or less above grade; Non-structural residential alterations without egress changes. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and other local requirements. Confirm with Brown Township and Bureau Veritas before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Brown Township, PA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Bureau Veritas: (717) 242-0992.

City Building Permits

Brown Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Brown Township, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Pennsylvania Mifflin County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within Brown Township, Mifflin County. Brown Township's official zoning and code-enforcement page directs applicants to Bureau Veritas for building permits.

Department: Brown Township (zoning matters); Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (UCC building permits)
Address: Bureau Veritas, 75 Reserve Lane, Lewistown, PA 17044
Phone: Brown Township: 717-667-2531; Bureau Veritas: 717-242-0992
Email: r.burns@brownshipmc.info
Website: https://browntownshipmc.info/municipal-info/zoning-and-code-enforcement/

Application Process

Contact Brown Township for zoning questions and to confirm local requirements.
Complete the Bureau Veritas permit application and gather the required plans and supporting documents.
Submit the building-permit package to Bureau Veritas in Lewistown at 75 Reserve Lane.
Bureau Veritas reviews the submission under the Pennsylvania UCC.
Pay fees, receive the permit, and call for inspections.

Typical processing time: 15 business days for one- and two-family dwellings; 5 business days with licensed design-professional certification; 30 business days for other permit types (Pennsylvania UCC statutory periods).

Source: Brown Township (zoning matters); Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (UCC building permits)

General Requirements

Building permits are required for regulated work under the Pennsylvania UCC.

Required Documents

Permit application
Plans
Site information
Contractor data
Any required prior approvals

Permit validity: State UCC default expiration rules generally apply: permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days, and a permit may not remain valid more than 5 years from issuance.
Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC); L&I lists Brown Township as OPT-IN effective 5/15/2004 with no amendments.
Owner-builder: Owners or authorized agents may apply.
Contractor requirements: No separate township contractor license was found. Pennsylvania HICPA registration applies where required by state law.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Residential minimums from $200 to $616 by project type; commercial new-construction minimum $385.
Plan check fee: Included in commercial permit fee; residential permit-not-issued plan review is 30% of projected permit fee.
Permit fee formula: Square-footage and valuation formulas depending on project type per the publicly posted Mifflin and Centre Counties Bureau Veritas schedules.
Reinspection fee: Commercial permit fees include re-inspections within reason; extra after-the-fact enforcement fees may be charged at $77 per hour with municipal approval.
Payment note: No Brown Township online permit-payment portal found. Verify payment method with Bureau Veritas before filing.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Fences 6 feet or less in height
Retaining walls under 4 feet high unless used for structural bearing
Water tanks on grade under 5,000 gallons
Sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above grade and not over a basement or story below
Exterior or interior painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Window awnings within code limits
Replacement windows and doors that do not require framing alteration
Replacement of existing roofing material and existing siding
Non-structural porch or stoop repairs, added insulation, and rainwater gutters and leaders
Uncovered decks 30 inches or less above grade
Non-structural residential alterations without egress changes

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and other local requirements. Confirm with Brown Township and Bureau Veritas before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Bureau Veritas: (717) 242-0992 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM (Lewistown Bureau Veritas office)

Typical inspection sequence: Typical UCC inspections vary by scope and usually include footing, foundation, framing, rough-trade, and final inspections.

Additional Resources

Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC); L&I lists Brown Township as OPT-IN effective 5/15/2004 with no amendments.
Verify contractor license: Pennsylvania HICPA Contractor Registration (Attorney General)
Zoning information: View zoning info
Brown Township Ordinances
Pennsylvania UCC Municipality List (L&I)
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 Brown Township (zoning matters); Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (UCC building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Brown Township Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Brown Township, PA?: Building permits are required for regulated work under the Pennsylvania UCC.
How much does a building permit cost in Brown Township, PA?: The minimum permit fee is Residential minimums from $200 to $616 by project type; commercial new-construction minimum $385.. Fees are calculated as: Square-footage and valuation formulas depending on project type per the publicly posted Mifflin and Centre Counties Bureau Veritas schedules.. Plan check fee: Included in commercial permit fee; residential permit-not-issued plan review is 30% of projected permit fee..
How do I apply for a building permit in Brown Township, PA?: 1. Contact Brown Township for zoning questions and to confirm local requirements. 2. Complete the Bureau Veritas permit application and gather the required plans and supporting documents. 3. Submit the building-permit package to Bureau Veritas in Lewistown at 75 Reserve Lane. 4. Bureau Veritas reviews the submission under the Pennsylvania UCC. 5. Pay fees, receive the permit, and call for inspections.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Brown Township, PA?: Typical processing time is 15 business days for one- and two-family dwellings; 5 business days with licensed design-professional certification; 30 business days for other permit types (Pennsylvania UCC statutory periods)..
What work is exempt from building permits in Brown Township, PA?: The following work is generally exempt: Fences 6 feet or less in height; Retaining walls under 4 feet high unless used for structural bearing; Water tanks on grade under 5,000 gallons; Sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above grade and not over a basement or story below; Exterior or interior painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Window awnings within code limits; Replacement windows and doors that do not require framing alteration; Replacement of existing roofing material and existing siding; Non-structural porch or stoop repairs, added insulation, and rainwater gutters and leaders; Uncovered decks 30 inches or less above grade; Non-structural residential alterations without egress changes. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and other local requirements. Confirm with Brown Township and Bureau Veritas before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Brown Township, PA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Bureau Veritas: (717) 242-0992.

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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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