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

The minimum permit fee is Residential new stick-built minimum $616; modular/manufactured minimum $385; residential additions minimum $308; residential alterations minimum $200; commercial new-construction minimum $385.. Fees are calculated as: Residential new stick-built: $0.46 per sq ft of living space plus $0.25 per sq ft of garages or finished basements. Additions: $0.46 per sq ft plus garage factor. Residential alterations: $77 for the first $1,000 plus $12 per $1,000 thereafter. Commercial new construction: square-footage times occupancy and construction factors. Commercial alterations: $77 for the first $1,000 plus $12 per $1,000 thereafter.. Plan check fee: Residential permit-not-issued plan review is 30% of projected permit fee; commercial permit fee includes plan review..

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

1. Review Derry Township's building and zoning permit page and gather the correct local and Bureau Veritas forms. 2. Prepare the application package with plans, site details, and any township approvals needed for demolition, residential, commercial, accessory, driveway, sidewalk, sign, or zoning items. 3. Submit the Bureau Veritas building-permit application to the Lewistown Bureau Veritas office and any township permit forms to Derry Township as applicable. 4. Bureau Veritas reviews the UCC permit under Pennsylvania law. 5. Pay fees, receive the permit, and call for inspections.

What work is exempt from building permits in Derry 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 permits required by Derry Township. Confirm with the township and Bureau Veritas before proceeding.

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

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

City Building Permits

Derry Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Pennsylvania Mifflin County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All properties within Derry Township, Mifflin County. Mifflin County directs Derry Township applicants to Bureau Veritas for UCC building permits. Derry Township handles local zoning and ancillary permits.

Department: Derry Township (zoning and code enforcement); Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (UCC building permits)
Address: Derry Township: 73 Reserve Lane, Lewistown, PA 17044; Bureau Veritas: 75 Reserve Lane, Lewistown, PA 17044
Phone: Derry Township: 717-248-8151; Bureau Veritas: 717-242-0992
Email: twpmanager@derrytwp.info
Website: https://derrytwp.info/building-permit/

Application Process

Review Derry Township's building and zoning permit page and gather the correct local and Bureau Veritas forms.
Prepare the application package with plans, site details, and any township approvals needed for demolition, residential, commercial, accessory, driveway, sidewalk, sign, or zoning items.
Submit the Bureau Veritas building-permit application to the Lewistown Bureau Veritas office and any township permit forms to Derry Township as applicable.
Bureau Veritas reviews the UCC permit under Pennsylvania law.
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: Derry Township (zoning and code enforcement); Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (UCC building permits)

General Requirements

Derry Township's forms page lists required permits for building, burning, driveway-sidewalk, sewer, soliciting-peddling, and zoning. UCC building permits are required for regulated construction, renovation, and demolition work.

Required Documents

Permit application
Plans
Zoning materials as applicable
Any needed township or outside-agency 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 Derry 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 new stick-built minimum $616; modular/manufactured minimum $385; residential additions minimum $308; residential alterations minimum $200; commercial new-construction minimum $385.
Plan check fee: Residential permit-not-issued plan review is 30% of projected permit fee; commercial permit fee includes plan review.
Permit fee formula: Residential new stick-built: $0.46 per sq ft of living space plus $0.25 per sq ft of garages or finished basements. Additions: $0.46 per sq ft plus garage factor. Residential alterations: $77 for the first $1,000 plus $12 per $1,000 thereafter. Commercial new construction: square-footage times occupancy and construction factors. Commercial alterations: $77 for the first $1,000 plus $12 per $1,000 thereafter.
Reinspection fee: Commercial permit fee includes re-inspections within reason; additional after-the-fact processing fees may be charged at $77 per hour with municipal approval.
Payment note: No Derry-specific online permit-submission portal found. Verify payment method with the township and Bureau Veritas.

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 permits required by Derry Township. Confirm with the 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: Varies by project and commonly includes footing, foundation, framing, rough-trade, and final inspections.

Additional Resources

Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC); L&I lists Derry 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
Derry Township Ordinances
Derry Township Zoning Code Enforcement
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 Derry Township (zoning and code enforcement); Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (UCC building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Derry Township Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Derry Township, PA?: Derry Township's forms page lists required permits for building, burning, driveway-sidewalk, sewer, soliciting-peddling, and zoning. UCC building permits are required for regulated construction, renovation, and demolition work.
How much does a building permit cost in Derry Township, PA?: The minimum permit fee is Residential new stick-built minimum $616; modular/manufactured minimum $385; residential additions minimum $308; residential alterations minimum $200; commercial new-construction minimum $385.. Fees are calculated as: Residential new stick-built: $0.46 per sq ft of living space plus $0.25 per sq ft of garages or finished basements. Additions: $0.46 per sq ft plus garage factor. Residential alterations: $77 for the first $1,000 plus $12 per $1,000 thereafter. Commercial new construction: square-footage times occupancy and construction factors. Commercial alterations: $77 for the first $1,000 plus $12 per $1,000 thereafter.. Plan check fee: Residential permit-not-issued plan review is 30% of projected permit fee; commercial permit fee includes plan review..
How do I apply for a building permit in Derry Township, PA?: 1. Review Derry Township's building and zoning permit page and gather the correct local and Bureau Veritas forms. 2. Prepare the application package with plans, site details, and any township approvals needed for demolition, residential, commercial, accessory, driveway, sidewalk, sign, or zoning items. 3. Submit the Bureau Veritas building-permit application to the Lewistown Bureau Veritas office and any township permit forms to Derry Township as applicable. 4. Bureau Veritas reviews the UCC permit under Pennsylvania law. 5. Pay fees, receive the permit, and call for inspections.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Derry 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 Derry 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 permits required by Derry Township. Confirm with the township and Bureau Veritas before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Derry 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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