On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Lower Nazareth Township
Lower Nazareth requires zoning permits for structures, buildings, signs, changes in use, grading, demolition, fences, patios, decks, sheds, pools, driveways, home offices, home occupations, and new commercial projects. Building permits are required for new dwellings, additions, accessory structures over 500 square feet, decks over 30 inches or with roofs, pools over 24 inches deep, hot tubs, retaining walls over 48 inches, structural interior alterations, means of egress changes, and changes to regulated utility or mechanical systems.
Smaller accessory structures at 500 square feet or less
Uncovered decks no more than 30 inches above grade
Some lower retaining walls
- Exempt Smaller accessory structures at 500 square feet or less
- Exempt Uncovered decks no more than 30 inches above grade
- Exempt Some lower retaining walls
Note: Lower Nazareth's permitting page indicates smaller work may only need zoning or may be exempt from a building permit, but zoning review is still often required
Required documents
- Signed permit application
- Two plan sets and supporting documentation
- Workers compensation coverage or owner waiver
- All required outside approvals
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and ICC codes as linked from the township's permitting page.
- Permit validity
- A building permit is valid for one year from the date of application, with a written extension available. The fee schedule separately lists a permit extension of up to 6 months for $100 where no additional review is required.
- Owner-builder
- A property owner doing their own work does not need to provide workers compensation insurance but must sign the waiver stating they are performing the work themselves.
- Contractor requirements
- Lower Nazareth directs residents to verify home improvement contractor registration with the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Workers compensation proof is required unless the owner waiver applies.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Residential 15 business days; commercial 30 business days; use and occupancy permit within 5 days after final notice from the construction code official.
- 01 Determine whether the project needs a zoning permit, building permit, driveway permit, demolition permit, or another township approval. Lower Nazareth publishes project triggers on its permitting page.
- 02 Obtain any required pre-construction approvals first, including subdivision or land development, sewer, zoning, stormwater, PennDOT, and erosion and sediment approvals where applicable.
- 03 Submit a complete application. Lower Nazareth requires a signed permit application, two sets of plans and supporting documentation, workers compensation proof or owner waiver, and payment of the permit fee.
- 04 The Township sends complete building permit applications to its third-party agent for code review. Residential permits are approved or denied within 15 business days and commercial permits within 30 business days.
- 05 After approval, keep the returned approved set on site, post the permit where visible from the street, and follow the attached inspection schedule.
- 06 Complete inspections and obtain the use and occupancy permit. The Building Code Official issues the use and occupancy permit within 5 days after notice of final approval from the construction code official, subject to outstanding zoning or outside agency issues.
Typical processing time: Residential 15 business days; commercial 30 business days; use and occupancy permit within 5 days after final notice from the construction code official.
Source: Lower Nazareth Township Planning, Zoning and Permitting ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Lower Nazareth Township building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Zoning permit fee $75. Building permits use attached residential and non-residential schedules with a $105 Township administration and education fee plus a $100 plan review fee added to all permit fees unless otherwise noted.
02
Plan check fee
$100 plan review fee added to building permits unless otherwise noted; additional plan reviews are $100 per hour minimum one hour.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Residential building permit schedule uses flat rates plus per-square-foot or per-unit additions. Zoning permits are largely flat-rate. Some permits such as zoning and grading for other work use larger flat fees.
04
Reinspection fee
Reinspection, additional inspection, additional plan review, and phased construction fees are $100 per hour with a one-hour minimum unless otherwise noted. Swimming pool grading reinspection is listed at $150 per re-review, resubmission, or reinspection. Work started without a permit is charged at three times the regular fee plus any ordinance penalties.
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work started without a permit is charged at three times the regular fee plus any ordinance penalties
Payment is required at application and the township accepts cash, check, ACH, and credit card. Convenience fees apply to ACH and credit card payments.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Through the Township or via the online system for permit-related notifications and status updates (online)
Typical sequence: Permit issued, inspections per attached schedule, final approval by the third-party agent, then township use and occupancy issuance
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Lower Nazareth Township permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Lower Nazareth Township, PA? ▸
Lower Nazareth requires zoning permits for structures, buildings, signs, changes in use, grading, demolition, fences, patios, decks, sheds, pools, driveways, home offices, home occupations, and new commercial projects. Building permits are required for new dwellings, additions, accessory structures over 500 square feet, decks over 30 inches or with roofs, pools over 24 inches deep, hot tubs, retaining walls over 48 inches, structural interior alterations, means of egress changes, and changes to regulated utility or mechanical systems.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Lower Nazareth Township, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Lower Nazareth Township, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Zoning permit fee $75. Building permits use attached residential and non-residential schedules with a $105 Township administration and education fee plus a $100 plan review fee added to all permit fees unless otherwise noted.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential building permit schedule uses flat rates plus per-square-foot or per-unit additions. Zoning permits are largely flat-rate. Some permits such as zoning and grading for other work use larger flat fees.. Plan check fee: $100 plan review fee added to building permits unless otherwise noted; additional plan reviews are $100 per hour minimum one hour..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Lower Nazareth Township, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Lower Nazareth Township, PA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project needs a zoning permit, building permit, driveway permit, demolition permit, or another township approval. Lower Nazareth publishes project triggers on its permitting page. 2. Obtain any required pre-construction approvals first, including subdivision or land development, sewer, zoning, stormwater, PennDOT, and erosion and sediment approvals where applicable. 3. Submit a complete application. Lower Nazareth requires a signed permit application, two sets of plans and supporting documentation, workers compensation proof or owner waiver, and payment of the permit fee. 4. The Township sends complete building permit applications to its third-party agent for code review. Residential permits are approved or denied within 15 business days and commercial permits within 30 business days. 5. After approval, keep the returned approved set on site, post the permit where visible from the street, and follow the attached inspection schedule. 6. Complete inspections and obtain the use and occupancy permit. The Building Code Official issues the use and occupancy permit within 5 days after notice of final approval from the construction code official, subject to outstanding zoning or outside agency issues.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Lower Nazareth Township, PA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Lower Nazareth Township, PA typically run Residential 15 business days; commercial 30 business days; use and occupancy permit within 5 days after final notice from the construction code official.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Lower Nazareth Township, PA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Lower Nazareth Township, PA. The following work is generally exempt: Smaller accessory structures at 500 square feet or less; Uncovered decks no more than 30 inches above grade; Some lower retaining walls. Note: Lower Nazareth's permitting page indicates smaller work may only need zoning or may be exempt from a building permit, but zoning review is still often required When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Lower Nazareth Township, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Lower Nazareth Township, PA via: Through the Township or via the online system for permit-related notifications and status updates.
last verified April 2026
source Lower Nazareth Township Planning, Zoning and Permitting ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/northampton/lower-nazareth-township
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Lower Nazareth Township Planning, Zoning and Permitting before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.