City Building Permits

Cooper Township, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Pennsylvania Montour County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Pennsylvania L&I lists Cooper Township as opt-in with amendments and Matthew Witmer as building code official. Cooper Township directs permit applicants to Jim Dragano through Mahoning Township. Mahoning Township states BIU is the building plans examiner and building permit official for both Mahoning and Cooper Townships.

Department
Mahoning Township Zoning Department (zoning for Cooper Township); Building Inspection Underwriters of PA, Inc. — BIU (UCC plan review and inspections)
Address
Cooper Township: 59 Steltz Road, Danville, PA 17821; Mahoning Township Zoning Office: 849 Bloom Road, Danville, PA 17821; BIU: 302 East Pennsylvania Boulevard, Feasterville, PA 19053
Phone
Cooper Township: (570) 275-6232; Mahoning Zoning Office: (570) 275-5521; BIU scheduling: 1-866-344-9681
Website
https://cooper-township.org/required-permits/

Online Permit Portal

Open Mahoning Township Zoning Permits and UCC

Platform: Municipay (payments only) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Contact the zoning office before work; Cooper Township directs permit questions to Jim Dragano through Mahoning Township.
  2. Complete the zoning permit application and gather required supporting approvals including subdivision approval, sewage approval, driveway permit or PennDOT highway occupancy permit, and county E&S or stormwater documentation.
  3. Print and submit the application packet to the Mahoning Township zoning office in person; applications must not be emailed.
  4. For UCC work, submit the BIU building permit application and plans for review by the building code official.
  5. After permit issuance, schedule inspections through BIU.

Source: Mahoning Township Zoning Department (zoning for Cooper Township); Building Inspection Underwriters of PA, Inc. — BIU (UCC plan review and inspections)

General Requirements

Building and renovation permits are required in Mahoning and Cooper Townships. The zoning permit application covers erection or alteration of structures, fences, patios on or above ground, occupancy change, signs, razing, and similar work.

Required Documents

  • Completed zoning permit application
  • Land subdivision approval (if applicable)
  • Sewage permit and septic design or public utility approval
  • Driveway permit or PennDOT highway occupancy permit
  • County E&S approval or stormwater design
  • Site plan
  • Certificate of insurance
Building code
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC); Cooper Township is opt-in with pre-1999 amendments per Pennsylvania L&I.
Contractor requirements
No township contractor license requirement. Pennsylvania home improvement contractors performing work over $5,000 must register under HICPA.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Zoning: $20.00 filing fee plus $10.00 per thousand dollars of cost estimate
Permit fee formula
Zoning permit: filing fee plus cost-based increment. BIU UCC fees are not separately published on the township pages reviewed.
Payment note
Online permit payment available through Municipay.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective January 5, 2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Mahoning Township Zoning Department (zoning for Cooper Township); Building Inspection Underwriters of PA, Inc. — BIU (UCC plan review and inspections) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • BIU — (866) 344-9681 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: BIU inspection sequence: footing, foundation, foundation damp proofing/footer drains, foundation anchorage, rough frame, roofing, rough plumbing, rough mechanical, rough electric, service, slabs or decks, draftstopping and fireblocking, insulation, sheetrock, laterals, siding/soffit/vents if required, and final.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Mahoning Township Zoning Department (zoning for Cooper Township); Building Inspection Underwriters of PA, Inc. — BIU (UCC plan review and inspections) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cooper Township Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Cooper Township, PA?
Building and renovation permits are required in Mahoning and Cooper Townships. The zoning permit application covers erection or alteration of structures, fences, patios on or above ground, occupancy change, signs, razing, and similar work.
How much does a building permit cost in Cooper Township, PA?
The minimum permit fee is Zoning: $20.00 filing fee plus $10.00 per thousand dollars of cost estimate. Fees are calculated as: Zoning permit: filing fee plus cost-based increment. BIU UCC fees are not separately published on the township pages reviewed..
How do I apply for a building permit in Cooper Township, PA?
1. Contact the zoning office before work; Cooper Township directs permit questions to Jim Dragano through Mahoning Township. 2. Complete the zoning permit application and gather required supporting approvals including subdivision approval, sewage approval, driveway permit or PennDOT highway occupancy permit, and county E&S or stormwater documentation. 3. Print and submit the application packet to the Mahoning Township zoning office in person; applications must not be emailed. 4. For UCC work, submit the BIU building permit application and plans for review by the building code official. 5. After permit issuance, schedule inspections through BIU.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Cooper Township, PA?
Inspections can be scheduled via: BIU — (866) 344-9681.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Cooper Township can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works
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.

Other cities in Montour County

Mahoning Township Danville Borough Liberty Township Valley Township
View all Montour County jurisdictions →