Borough of Kennett Square, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Borough authority for permits and local zoning/planning matters within Kennett Square Borough. Public-facing building permit information is thinner than some peers.

Department

Codes, Planning & Zoning

Address

600 S Broad Street, Suite 110, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Phone

610-444-6020

Email

help@kennettsq.org

Website

https://www.kennettsq.org/departments/codes_zoning/forms_and_permits.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Review the borough Forms & Permits page and current fee schedule.
2. Submit the applicable permit through the TraISR online permit portal or use the borough's posted application forms where required.
3. Provide fees and any supporting plans/documents required for the permit type.
4. Borough staff reviews the submission and schedules any required inspections.
5. Pass any required life safety/building inspections.
6. Receive permit or certificate issuance after review and inspection clearance.

Typical processing time: No general permit review clock was posted; resale U&O submissions are requested at least 30 days before settlement.

Source: Codes, Planning & Zoning

General Requirements

Borough forms page posts permit applications for building-related and use/occupancy-related approvals; exact thresholds vary by permit type.

Required Documents

• Varies by permit type
• Borough forms page provides current packets
• References fee schedule and portal workflow

Permit validity

Not clearly posted on the public forms page reviewed.

Building code

Pennsylvania UCC for construction, plus borough ordinances and zoning rules published in Municode.

Owner-builder

Contractor registration form states a borough resident/homeowner performing the work must file a notarized workers compensation exemption affidavit if no employees/subcontractors will be used.

Contractor requirements

Contractor registration is required for all contractors and subcontractors performing commercial work in the borough; residential contractors must provide HIC number; annual contractor registration fee is $100; insurance/workers compensation documentation is required before a building permit is issued.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

See current borough 2026 fee schedule; the public page exposes the schedule but fee line items were not machine-readable in the page scrape.

Plan check fee

See current borough fee schedule.

Permit fee formula

Permit-type specific per current borough fee schedule.

Reinspection fee

Life safety inspection is required before issuance of resale U&O, rental, or commercial registration approvals; additional fee details are in the current borough fee schedule.

Payment note

Fees are handled through the borough permit workflow and current schedule.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Codes, Planning & Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Borough Staff (in_person)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Public page expressly references life safety inspection before resale U&O, rental, or commercial registration issuance; detailed building inspection sequence was not publicly laid out.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania UCC for construction, plus borough ordinances and zoning rules published in Municode.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• TraISR Permit Portal
• Forms & Permits
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

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