City Building Permits

Borough of Downingtown, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Borough of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Pennsylvania Chester County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Borough code office administers building, maintenance, zoning, plan review, and permit issuance for Downingtown Borough.

Department
Code Enforcement (Planning, Zoning & Building)
Address
4-10 W. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335
Phone
610-269-0344
Website
https://www.downingtown.org/158/Code-Enforcement-Planning-Zoning-Buildin

Online Permit Portal

Open Forms/Applications

Platform: CivicPlus • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Review the Permit Application Introduction Letter and obtain the correct form from the borough Forms/Applications page.
  2. Complete the permit application and assemble plans/supporting documents.
  3. Submit the package and fee to the Code Enforcement Office at 4-10 W Lancaster Avenue by mail or drop-off.
  4. Borough staff reviews the submission and may coordinate with Planning Commission or Zoning Hearing Board if applicable.
  5. Pay any remaining assessed fees and await permit approval.
  6. Schedule inspections with the borough code office as required.

Typical processing time: Residential permits 15 business days; commercial permits and zoning applications 30 business days; contractor licenses about 1 week after fee and insurance submission.

Source: Code Enforcement (Planning, Zoning & Building)

General Requirements

Borough FAQ says building permits are required for interior and exterior work on homes and non-residential buildings; examples include interior renovations and electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning work, roof shingle replacement, sheds over 200 square feet, additions, porches, and decks.

Required Documents

  • Permit form
  • Supporting plans/documents per application type
Permit validity
Permits are issued for one year, may be re-issued annually for three years, and are void if work has not started within six months.
Building code
Pennsylvania UCC with local zoning/historic overlay rules layered on top.
Owner-builder
No special public owner-builder rule was located beyond standard application submission.
Contractor requirements
Borough contractor licenses are issued within one week if fee is paid and proof of insurance naming the Borough of Downingtown as certificate holder is submitted.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Residential new construction $0.45/sf with $1,800 minimum; residential renovation/addition $0.45/sf with $150 minimum; detached accessory buildings $0.35/sf with $125 minimum; commercial new construction $0.95/sf with $2,500 minimum.
Plan check fee
Residential plan review $0.12/sf with $250 minimum for new construction and $120 minimum for renovations; commercial plan review $0.40/sf with $550 minimum for new construction and $200 minimum for renovations.
Permit fee formula
Mix of square-foot pricing, per-fixture pricing, valuation percentages, flat zoning/U&O fees, and annual contractor or renewal charges.
Reinspection fee
Permit renewal $125; permit surcharge for work without a permit is normal permit fee x2; sewer penalties and returned-check fees are separately listed.
Payment note
Applications are processed when the application fee has been received.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Fences
  • Sheds under 200 square feet
  • Patios/pavers
  • Condensing units
  • Generator units

Important: No borough-wide no-permit list was found on the code office page. The FAQ distinguishes some smaller exterior work as zoning permit work rather than building permit work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • 610-269-0344 (phone)
Inspection hours
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Typical inspection sequence: Not laid out step-by-step on the public page; inspections follow permit type and borough review.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Code Enforcement (Planning, Zoning & Building) before applying.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Borough of Downingtown 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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