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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Canonsburg Borough
Permits are required to construct, alter, enlarge, demolish, occupy, or use buildings and related systems; zoning permits are also separately required for land use and structure placement.
Note: Borough pages direct applicants to the separate 'Do I Need a Building Permit?' resource. Verify any claimed ordinary repair exemption with the Borough or MCS before starting work.
Required documents
- Plot or site plan with property lines, setbacks, easements, structure location, grades, and retaining walls
- Two sets of construction drawings for most residential work; three sealed sets for commercial work
- Workers compensation certificate or waiver
- Septic / sewage approval
- Highway occupancy permit where applicable
- ADA details for commercial buildings
- Building code
- Pennsylvania UCC administered by the Borough and third party building inspector.
- Owner-builder
- Permit packet contemplates owner or applicant submission and requires applicant certification; no separate public owner-builder policy page was found.
- Contractor requirements
- Workers compensation proof or exemption is required; PA HIC registration is referenced in the permit packet for contractors doing at least $5,000 of home improvements per year.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine whether the project needs zoning approval, a building permit, or both; Canonsburg posts separate building and zoning applications.
- 02 Submit the zoning permit first when applicable through the Citizen Portal or Borough office.
- 03 Submit the building permit application and checklist with plot plan, construction drawings, workers compensation documents, and any other required approvals.
- 04 Pay the applicable Borough and Municipal Consulting Services fees.
- 05 Request inspections no sooner than 48 hours before the needed inspection and complete final inspection before occupancy.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2024-2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Residential and commercial building permit minimum $50 (2024 MCS schedule); occupancy permit residential $75 and commercial $100 (2025 Borough schedule)
02
Plan check fee
Residential new family dwelling $75 per dwelling unit; manufactured dwellings $0.20 per square foot; nonresidential plan review varies by schedule
03
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction/additions $0.35 per square foot; residential repairs/alterations $8 per $1,000; nonresidential new construction $0.50 per square foot; nonresidential additions $0.45 per square foot; nonresidential repairs/alterations $12 per $1,000; decks, porch roofs, walls, fences $100; above-ground pools $125; in-ground pools $225
04
Reinspection fee
First reinspection no charge; second reinspection $50; third reinspection $100; failure to show or reschedule within 24 hours $25 per incident
Borough fee schedule and MCS schedule both apply depending on permit type and inspection service.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2024-2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Request inspections from Municipal Consulting Services (other)
- Scheduling deadline
- Inspections must be requested no sooner than 48 hours before needed
- Inspection hours
- Borough office hours Monday through Friday, standard business hours
Typical sequence: Footing; outside sewer; foundation; inside sewer and plumbing; electrical by third party inspection agency; rough framing; energy conservation; wallboard; final inspection.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Canonsburg Borough permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Canonsburg Borough, PA? ▸
Permits are required to construct, alter, enlarge, demolish, occupy, or use buildings and related systems; zoning permits are also separately required for land use and structure placement.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Canonsburg Borough, PA? ▸
Building permit fees in Canonsburg Borough, PA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential and commercial building permit minimum $50 (2024 MCS schedule); occupancy permit residential $75 and commercial $100 (2025 Borough schedule). Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction/additions $0.35 per square foot; residential repairs/alterations $8 per $1,000; nonresidential new construction $0.50 per square foot; nonresidential additions $0.45 per square foot; nonresidential repairs/alterations $12 per $1,000; decks, porch roofs, walls, fences $100; above-ground pools $125; in-ground pools $225. Plan check fee: Residential new family dwelling $75 per dwelling unit; manufactured dwellings $0.20 per square foot; nonresidential plan review varies by schedule.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Canonsburg Borough, PA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Canonsburg Borough, PA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project needs zoning approval, a building permit, or both; Canonsburg posts separate building and zoning applications. 2. Submit the zoning permit first when applicable through the Citizen Portal or Borough office. 3. Submit the building permit application and checklist with plot plan, construction drawings, workers compensation documents, and any other required approvals. 4. Pay the applicable Borough and Municipal Consulting Services fees. 5. Request inspections no sooner than 48 hours before the needed inspection and complete final inspection before occupancy.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Canonsburg Borough, PA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Canonsburg Borough, PA via: Request inspections from Municipal Consulting Services. Inspections must be requested no sooner than 48 hours before needed.
last verified April 2026
source Canonsburg Borough Building Department; Code Enforcement / Zoning; Municipal Consulting Services LLC ↗
entry id permits/pennsylvania/washington/canonsburg
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Canonsburg Borough Building Department; Code Enforcement / Zoning; Municipal Consulting Services LLC before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.