County Building Permits
Monroe County, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Monroe County does not operate a countywide building permit department. Building permit administration under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) is handled at the municipal level by each borough and township. The county provides planning, zoning, floodplain, and land-use coordination functions. Contact your specific municipality for building permits.
- Department
- Monroe County Planning Commission
- Address
- Monroe County Courthouse, One Quaker Plaza, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Identify your municipality (borough or township) within Monroe County.
- Contact your municipality's zoning or code enforcement office to determine which permits are required.
- If your municipality has opted into the Pennsylvania UCC, submit building permit applications through the municipality or its retained Building Code Official (BCO).
- Pay the applicable municipal and code-review fees.
- Complete required inspections through the municipality's assigned UCC inspector and obtain final approval.
General Requirements
All Monroe County municipalities have opted into the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. Building permits are required for construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and change of use as specified by each municipality. Contact your municipality directly to confirm specific triggers.
Required Documents
- Completed municipal permit application
- Project description and construction plans (where required by the municipality)
- Required documentation specific to permit type (zoning, building, sewage, driveway, etc.)
- Applicable fees
- Permit validity
- Under Pennsylvania UCC defaults, permits expire if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance or if no inspection is passed within 180 days. The overall permit term is limited to 5 years. Municipal-specific rules may vary.
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC), incorporating the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted by the Commonwealth.
- Owner-builder
- Pennsylvania does not prohibit owner-builders from obtaining permits for their own residences. Confirm any local requirements with your municipality.
- Contractor requirements
- Home improvement contractors performing covered work must register under the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA). Verify registration at the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office before hiring.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Monroe County Planning Commission to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: Inspections are scheduled through each municipality's assigned Building Code Official (BCO) or retained third-party inspection agency. Contact your municipality for specific scheduling procedures.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC), incorporating the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) as adopted by the Commonwealth.
- Verify contractor license: PA HICPA Contractor Registration Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- PA L&I UCC Municipal Election List
- Pennsylvania UCC Overview
- 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 Monroe County Planning Commission before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monroe County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, PA?
- All Monroe County municipalities have opted into the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. Building permits are required for construction, alteration, repair, demolition, and change of use as specified by each municipality. Contact your municipality directly to confirm specific triggers.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, PA?
- 1. Identify your municipality (borough or township) within Monroe County. 2. Contact your municipality's zoning or code enforcement office to determine which permits are required. 3. If your municipality has opted into the Pennsylvania UCC, submit building permit applications through the municipality or its retained Building Code Official (BCO). 4. Pay the applicable municipal and code-review fees. 5. Complete required inspections through the municipality's assigned UCC inspector and obtain final approval.
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