Union County, PA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

CK-COG administers UCC building permits for municipalities in Union County that have opted in to CK-COG code enforcement under Pennsylvania Act 45. Individual municipalities manage their own zoning; confirm with the specific municipality before applying.

Department

Central Keystone Council of Governments (CK-COG), Uniform Construction Code Management / Building Permits

Address

1610 Industrial Boulevard, Suite 400A, Lewisburg, PA 17837

Phone

(570) 522-1326

Email

permits@ckcog.com

Website

https://www.ckcog.com/municipal-members/union-county/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether your municipality requires a zoning permit or other local approvals (sewage, land development, driveway, floodplain, GIS address, conservation) before a building permit will be issued.
2. Prepare the UCC application, plans, and supporting documents. Residential projects require two plan sets; commercial projects require three plan sets and a $1,000 plan review deposit.
3. Submit the completed application package to CKCOG by email, mail, or in-person delivery, including workers compensation proof or exemption if a contractor is involved.
4. CKCOG reviews the submission for completeness and code compliance, then contacts the applicant when the permit is ready and calculates the fee.
5. Pay the permit fee in full before permit release or inspections. A 3% credit card convenience fee applies.
6. Schedule required inspections with CKCOG by phone, email, or fax with at least 24 hours notice (48 hours recommended).
7. Obtain the final certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance after all inspections are approved.

Typical processing time: Residential review typically takes less than 1 week when complete; Pennsylvania UCC requires residential permits within 15 business days if not returned for corrections. Commercial review takes up to 30 business days.

Source: Central Keystone Council of Governments (CK-COG), Uniform Construction Code Management / Building Permits

General Requirements

UCC permits are required for all new construction; living space additions; attached garages; decks or ramps over 30 inches high; structural roof framing work; in-ground pools and permanent above-ground pools over 24 inches deep; fences over 6 feet; retaining walls 4 feet or higher; detached accessory structures over 1,000 square feet; and renovations affecting egress, load-bearing walls, plumbing, or electrical systems.

Required Documents

• Completed CKCOG building permit application
• Construction plans (2 sets residential, 3 sets commercial)
• Zoning approval (where required by the municipality)
• Sewage, land development, driveway, floodplain, GIS address, and conservation approvals as applicable
• Residential energy worksheet for new residential construction
• Workers compensation proof or owner exemption affidavit if a contractor is involved
• Flood elevation certificate where applicable
• Commercial plan review deposit ($1,000)

Permit validity

Unpaid UCC applications and permits become abandoned and null and void 1 year after application submission.

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code under Act 45. CKCOG notes the 2021 I-Codes became effective January 1, 2026.

Owner-builder

Residential plans may be drawn by the homeowner. Homeowners performing all associated work themselves may sign the CKCOG exemption affidavit in lieu of providing workers compensation coverage.

Contractor requirements

CKCOG requires workers compensation proof or exemption from all contractors. Pennsylvania home improvement contractors performing covered work must register with the Office of Attorney General under HICPA unless they perform less than $5,000 of work in a calendar year.

Fees

Plan check fee

Included in residential permit fees. Commercial submissions require a $1,000 plan review deposit credited toward review and permit charges.

Permit fee formula

Residential new work uses CKCOG valuation or hourly-inspection formulas; 2026 residential schedule shows an $83 hourly rate plus a $4.50 state surcharge. Commercial uses: square foot construction cost x area x 0.007.

Reinspection fee

Work started before permit issuance is subject to special fees set by the Building Code Official. No general public reinspection fee schedule was identified.

Penalty (no permit)

Work started before permit issuance triggers special fees set by the Building Code Official.

Payment note

Payment in full required before permit release or inspections. CKCOG adds a 3% credit card convenience fee. Printing charges may apply for emailed 11x17 residential alteration drawings.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective January 1, 2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Ordinary repairs that do not affect structure, egress, or mechanical, plumbing, gas, or electrical systems
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a story below
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Above-ground prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep and not over 5,000 gallons
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings
• Window awnings within code limits, movable cases/counters/partitions under 5 feet 9 inches, and window replacement without structural change
• Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs listed in 34 Pa. Code section 403.42
• Agricultural buildings (an agricultural building exemption form is required from CKCOG; other local approvals may still apply)

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, land development, setback, floodplain, sewage, or other local and county requirements. Confirm with CKCOG and your municipality before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• CKCOG — (570) 522-1326 (phone)
• Email CKCOG at permits@ckcog.com (online)

Scheduling deadline

Minimum 24 hours notice required; 48 hours recommended.

Time windows

Early AM (8:00–10:00), Late AM (10:00–12:00), Afternoon (1:00–3:00)

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footer/post hole, foundation, frame and masonry, rough plumbing/mechanical/gas/electrical, insulation, lath/wallboard, and final. Decks and pools follow modified sequences.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code under Act 45. CKCOG notes the 2021 I-Codes became effective January 1, 2026.
• Verify contractor license: Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration (OAG)
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• CKCOG Inspections
• Union County Conservation District
• Union County GIS / Maps
• Union County Planning
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Union County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Union County, PA?

UCC permits are required for all new construction; living space additions; attached garages; decks or ramps over 30 inches high; structural roof framing work; in-ground pools and permanent above-ground pools over 24 inches deep; fences over 6 feet; retaining walls 4 feet or higher; detached accessory structures over 1,000 square feet; and renovations affecting egress, load-bearing walls, plumbing, or electrical systems.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Union County, PA?

Fees are calculated as: Residential new work uses CKCOG valuation or hourly-inspection formulas; 2026 residential schedule shows an $83 hourly rate plus a $4.50 state surcharge. Commercial uses: square foot construction cost x area x 0.007.. Plan check fee: Included in residential permit fees. Commercial submissions require a $1,000 plan review deposit credited toward review and permit charges..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Union County, PA?

1. Confirm whether your municipality requires a zoning permit or other local approvals (sewage, land development, driveway, floodplain, GIS address, conservation) before a building permit will be issued. 2. Prepare the UCC application, plans, and supporting documents. Residential projects require two plan sets; commercial projects require three plan sets and a $1,000 plan review deposit. 3. Submit the completed application package to CKCOG by email, mail, or in-person delivery, including workers compensation proof or exemption if a contractor is involved. 4. CKCOG reviews the submission for completeness and code compliance, then contacts the applicant when the permit is ready and calculates the fee. 5. Pay the permit fee in full before permit release or inspections. A 3% credit card convenience fee applies. 6. Schedule required inspections with CKCOG by phone, email, or fax with at least 24 hours notice (48 hours recommended). 7. Obtain the final certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance after all inspections are approved.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Union County, PA?

Typical processing time is Residential review typically takes less than 1 week when complete; Pennsylvania UCC requires residential permits within 15 business days if not returned for corrections. Commercial review takes up to 30 business days..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Union County, PA?

The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs that do not affect structure, egress, or mechanical, plumbing, gas, or electrical systems; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a story below; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Above-ground prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep and not over 5,000 gallons; Swings and playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings; Window awnings within code limits, movable cases/counters/partitions under 5 feet 9 inches, and window replacement without structural change; Minor electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing repairs listed in 34 Pa. Code section 403.42; Agricultural buildings (an agricultural building exemption form is required from CKCOG; other local approvals may still apply). Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, land development, setback, floodplain, sewage, or other local and county requirements. Confirm with CKCOG and your municipality before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Union County, PA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: CKCOG — (570) 522-1326, Email CKCOG at permits@ckcog.com. Minimum 24 hours notice required; 48 hours recommended..