County Building Permits
Northumberland County, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Pennsylvania counties do not contain separate general unincorporated building-permit territory. Every parcel in Northumberland County lies in a city, borough, or township. There is no countywide UCC building permit program for general construction permits. Applicants must contact the municipality where their project is located.
- Department
- Northumberland County Planning Department
- Address
- 399 S 5th Street, Second Floor, Sunbury, PA 17801
- Phone
- (570) 988-4343
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Determine the municipality (city, borough, or township) where the project site is located using the county municipality directory.
- Apply through that municipality or its designated UCC third-party agency, not through a countywide general building department.
- Use county planning, GIS, septic, floodplain, road, or related county resources only when a separate narrow county approval is expressly required for the project.
- If the municipality is opt-out under the PA UCC, follow the PA L&I or certified third-party residential path identified for that municipality.
- Do not rely on the county for a general building permit unless a separate county approval is expressly required.
General Requirements
No countywide general building permit program exists. Applicants must use the municipality-specific permit path for their project location.
Required Documents
- Varies by municipality and by any separate county function such as planning, GIS, septic, or floodplain review
- Building code
- Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC); 2021 ICC-based update took effect January 1, 2026, subject to Pennsylvania amendments
- Contractor requirements
- Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act registration applies to home improvement contractors performing work over $5,000. Workers compensation documentation is required where applicable.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Northumberland County Planning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Additional Resources
- Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC); 2021 ICC-based update took effect January 1, 2026, subject to Pennsylvania amendments
- Verify contractor license: PA Home Improvement Contractor Registration
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Owner-builder rules: View rules
- Northumberland County Municipality Directory
- PA L&I UCC Building Permit Information
- 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 Northumberland County Planning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Northumberland County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Northumberland County, PA?
- No countywide general building permit program exists. Applicants must use the municipality-specific permit path for their project location.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Northumberland County, PA?
- 1. Determine the municipality (city, borough, or township) where the project site is located using the county municipality directory. 2. Apply through that municipality or its designated UCC third-party agency, not through a countywide general building department. 3. Use county planning, GIS, septic, floodplain, road, or related county resources only when a separate narrow county approval is expressly required for the project. 4. If the municipality is opt-out under the PA UCC, follow the PA L&I or certified third-party residential path identified for that municipality. 5. Do not rely on the county for a general building permit unless a separate county approval is expressly required.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Northumberland County, PA?
- The following work is generally exempt: Fences 6 feet or lower in height (common PA UCC exemption for one- and two-family dwellings); Retaining walls 4 feet or lower that do not support a surcharge; Some sidewalks and driveways not over basements; Shallow prefabricated pools; Playground equipment and similar minor work. Note: These are common Pennsylvania UCC exemptions for one- and two-family dwellings. Zoning, floodplain, sewage, stormwater, and driveway approvals may still apply even where a UCC permit is not required. Confirm with the applicable municipality before proceeding.
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