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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Derry Township
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.
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
- Exempt Fences 6 feet or less in height
- Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet high unless used for structural bearing
- Exempt Water tanks on grade under 5,000 gallons
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above grade and not over a basement or story below
- Exempt Exterior or interior painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Window awnings within code limits
- Exempt Replacement windows and doors that do not require framing alteration
- Exempt Replacement of existing roofing material and existing siding
- Exempt Non-structural porch or stoop repairs, added insulation, and rainwater gutters and leaders
- Exempt Uncovered decks 30 inches or less above grade
- Exempt 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.
Required documents
- Permit application
- Plans
- Zoning materials as applicable
- Any needed township or outside-agency approvals
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC); L&I lists Derry Township as OPT-IN effective 5/15/2004 with no amendments.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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).
- 01 Review Derry Township's building and zoning permit page and gather the correct local and Bureau Veritas forms.
- 02 Prepare the application package with plans, site details, and any township approvals needed for demolition, residential, commercial, accessory, driveway, sidewalk, sign, or zoning items.
- 03 Submit the Bureau Veritas building-permit application to the Lewistown Bureau Veritas office and any township permit forms to Derry Township as applicable.
- 04 Bureau Veritas reviews the UCC permit under Pennsylvania law.
- 05 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).
§ 04
Fee schedule
Derry Township building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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.
02
Plan check fee
Residential permit-not-issued plan review is 30% of projected permit fee; commercial permit fee includes plan review.
03
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.
04
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.
No Derry-specific online permit-submission portal found. Verify payment method with the township and Bureau Veritas.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: Varies by project and commonly includes footing, foundation, framing, rough-trade, and final inspections.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Derry Township permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Derry Township, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Derry Township, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Derry Township, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Derry Township, PA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Derry Township, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Derry Township, PA typically run 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).. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Derry Township, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Derry Township, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Derry Township, PA via: Bureau Veritas: (717) 242-0992.
last verified April 2026
source Derry Township (zoning and code enforcement); Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (UCC building permits) ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/mifflin/derry-township
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Derry Township (zoning and code enforcement); Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. (UCC building permits) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.