jaspector
§ PA Montgomery County
County building permits

Unincorporated Montgomery County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Montgomery County Office of Public Health (for health permits only; no county general building permit authority)

Street address
1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401
Phone
610-278-5117
Email
publichealth@montgomerycountypa.gov
Coverage
Montgomery County does not function as a general building permit authority. Pennsylvania law fully divides the county into municipalities; each municipality issues its own building permits. The county issues certain Office of Public Health permits for food facilities, camps, pools, and some well/sewage matters.
Online portal
Montgomery County Permitting & Licensing
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Montgomery County

General building permits are handled by the municipality, not the county. County public health permits apply for listed health-regulated activities (food facilities, camps, pools, wells, sewage).

Note: Not applicable as a standalone general county building-permit jurisdiction. All general building permit exemptions are determined by the applicable municipality.

Required documents
  • Requirements depend on the actual municipal or county public health program
Building code
Pennsylvania UCC is enforced at the municipal level in Montgomery County.
Permit validity
Program-specific for county health permits; follow municipality rules for building permits.
Owner-builder
Follow the rules of the municipality with jurisdiction.
Contractor requirements
Follow the rules of the municipality with jurisdiction, plus applicable Pennsylvania state requirements.

Source: Montgomery County Office of Public Health (for health permits only; no county general building permit authority) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Determine the municipality in which the property lies; that municipality is normally the building permit authority.
  2. 02
    If the issue is a county public health permit, use the county Permitting & Licensing page to identify the proper program.
  3. 03
    For wells and sewage, contact the local office identified by Montgomery County Office of Public Health.
  4. 04
    Submit the permit/license materials to the municipality or county health program that actually has jurisdiction.
  5. 05
    Do not assume Montgomery County issues a general building permit; there is no broad county building-permit system.

Source: Montgomery County Office of Public Health (for health permits only; no county general building permit authority) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Montgomery County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Program-specific for county health permits; municipal for actual building permits.

Confirm directly with the specific county program or municipality that has jurisdiction.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Contact your municipality for building permit inspections (phone)

Typical sequence: Municipality-specific for building permits; county-program-specific for health permits.

Source: Montgomery County Office of Public Health (for health permits only; no county general building permit authority) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Montgomery County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, PA? ▸
General building permits are handled by the municipality, not the county. County public health permits apply for listed health-regulated activities (food facilities, camps, pools, wells, sewage).
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Montgomery County, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Montgomery County, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Program-specific for county health permits; municipal for actual building permits..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, PA, follow these steps: 1. Determine the municipality in which the property lies; that municipality is normally the building permit authority. 2. If the issue is a county public health permit, use the county Permitting & Licensing page to identify the proper program. 3. For wells and sewage, contact the local office identified by Montgomery County Office of Public Health. 4. Submit the permit/license materials to the municipality or county health program that actually has jurisdiction. 5. Do not assume Montgomery County issues a general building permit; there is no broad county building-permit system.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Montgomery County, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Montgomery County, PA via: Contact your municipality for building permit inspections.
last verified April 2026 source Montgomery County Office of Public Health (for health permits only; no county general building permit authority) ↗ entry id permits/pennsylvania/montgomery/unincorporated
Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Montgomery County Office of Public Health (for health permits only; no county general building permit authority) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

← Back to Montgomery County permit guides