Borough of Shippensburg, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Borough handles land use and local zoning administration. Building permits are tied to the borough's designated inspection agency, currently identified as PMCA.

Department

Borough of Shippensburg Codes/Zoning, designated inspection agency PMCA

Address

111 N. Fayette Street, P.O. Box 129, Shippensburg, PA 17257

Phone

717-532-2147 (borough); 717-496-4996 (PMCA)

Website

https://borough.shippensburg.pa.us/Government/Codes-Zoning

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether a Land Use Permit is required; it is required in conjunction with any required building permit and for any new use or change of use before construction or alteration.
2. Submit the land use or local borough application to the Borough of Shippensburg.
3. For UCC building permit work, coordinate with the borough's designated inspection agency (PMCA).
4. Use PMCA's online permit platform or its permit application forms to submit the UCC permit package.
5. Pay borough land use fees and PMCA building permit fees under the designated agency's schedule.
6. Obtain all approvals before starting work and complete inspections through the designated agency or borough representative, depending on permit type.

Typical processing time: Not posted on the borough Codes/Zoning page.

Source: Borough of Shippensburg Codes/Zoning, designated inspection agency PMCA

General Requirements

Borough FAQ states building permits are required for work covered by the Pennsylvania UCC. Issuance of a Land Use Permit is a prerequisite to obtaining a building permit. Sidewalk repair or construction and street opening work also require permits.

Required Documents

• Land use permit materials for zoning review
• PMCA building permit application packet and supporting UCC documents depending on scope

Permit validity

Not clearly posted on the borough public pages.

Building code

Pennsylvania UCC; Shippensburg Borough has opted in to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code

Owner-builder

Not clearly posted on borough pages.

Contractor requirements

Pennsylvania HICPA registration applies to covered home improvement contractors; PMCA building permit process follows the PA UCC for served municipalities.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Land Use Permit $40; Sidewalk Permit $60; Street Opening Permit $75 first 50 feet

Plan check fee

Through PMCA rate schedule for UCC building permits; borough page does not break out plan review separately

Permit fee formula

Land Use Permit flat $40. Building permit fees are charged in accordance with the current rate schedule of PMCA, the designated borough inspection agency.

Reinspection fee

Per PMCA agency charges

Payment note

Public fee data is split between borough local fees and PMCA agency charges, so applicants need both schedules

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Borough of Shippensburg Codes/Zoning, designated inspection agency PMCA to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• PMCA online inspection tools for PMCA-issued permits (online)
• Borough representative for local permits (sidewalks, street openings) (phone)

Inspection hours

Not clearly posted on the borough pages

Typical inspection sequence: Land use permit first where applicable, UCC permit issuance through designated agency, progress inspections, final approval

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania UCC; Shippensburg Borough has opted in to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Borough Codes & Zoning
• Borough Fees
• PA Code Alliance
• Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

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