City Building Permits

Bern Township, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

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

Pennsylvania Berks County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Bern Township handles zoning/building permit intake for township properties, with technical code administration reflected in the permit packet through LTL Consultants.

Department
Bern Township; LTL Consultants, Ltd. handles building code review and inspections
Address
Bern Township, 1069 Old Bernville Road, Reading, PA 19605
Phone
(610) 926-2267
Website
https://www.berntownship.org/newsite/

Online Permit Portal

Open Building Permit Packet

Platform: Township website with downloadable permit packet and PDF forms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

  1. Use the Bern Township permit packet and complete the zoning/building permit application.
  2. Submit the $80 application fee with the application.
  3. Provide a plot plan showing all structures and distances to property lines, plus septic, well, and easement information where applicable.
  4. For residential building permits, also provide 2 copies of the building plans and any applicable sewer, on-lot septic, PennDOT, water authority, stormwater, and conservation district approvals.
  5. For commercial permits, provide 3 copies of signed and sealed building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical plans plus any land development, utility, DEP, or stormwater materials triggered by the project.
  6. Sign the permit terms and conditions and wait for township/LTL review before beginning work.

Source: Bern Township; LTL Consultants, Ltd. handles building code review and inspections

General Requirements

Township packet covers zoning/building permits for new buildings, additions, renovations, repairs, demolition, signs, decks/patios, swimming pools, accessory structures, fences, and other work. Stormwater application and fee are required for all projects except fences.

Required Documents

  • Completed application
  • $80 application fee
  • Residential 2 plan sets or commercial 3 plan sets
  • Plot plan
  • Utility and sewage approvals
  • PennDOT permit if applicable
  • Water authority approval if applicable
  • Stormwater approval if creating more than 1,000 square feet of impervious area
  • Erosion and sediment control approval if applicable
  • DEP asbestos forms for commercial demolition/renovation
Permit validity
Building and zoning permits are valid for 1 year from issue. Construction must start within 180 days. Permits may be extended once by application and extension fee paid before expiration.
Building code
Pennsylvania Act 45 of 1999, Uniform Construction Code, plus township zoning and related ordinances
Owner-builder
Application is signed by owner/applicant and includes owner responsibility statements.
Contractor requirements
Application requires principal contractor information and PA contractor registration number.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$80
Plan check fee
Included in the broader fee resolution.
Permit fee formula
Township has a separate building and zoning fee resolution. Not all line-item formulas were text-extractable from the reviewed scanned PDF.
Payment note
Application fee must accompany the application. Checks are payable to the township per the permit packet checklist.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Bern Township; LTL Consultants, Ltd. handles building code review and inspections to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • (610) 926-2267 (phone)
Inspection hours
Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Not published in one public Bern checklist reviewed. UCC sequencing should be confirmed at permit issuance.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Bern Township; LTL Consultants, Ltd. handles building code review and inspections before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Bern Township can be complicated.

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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.

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