City Building Permits
Swatara Township, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Swatara Township, Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Township authority for building permits, zoning permits, stormwater, floodplain, subdivision/land development, on-lot sewage, and property maintenance in Swatara Township; building plan reviews and construction inspections are performed by Approved Code Services, Inc. as the exclusive third-party agency.
- Department
- Swatara Township Building and Codes Department
- Address
- 599 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111-2397
- Phone
- 717-564-2551
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Township website applications page • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Review the Building and Codes Department page and select the correct application, most commonly the combined building and/or zoning permit application.
- Prepare the application package, including owner, contractor, design, parcel, and scope information, plus any project-specific supporting plans.
- Submit the packet to the township; no public self-service portal is advertised.
- Township routes building plan review and inspections through Approved Code Services, Inc. and handles township zoning and related approvals in-house.
- After approval, complete inspections and secure any final zoning use and occupancy documentation required by the project type.
Typical processing time: No permit-by-permit turnaround is posted on the main department page.
General Requirements
Swatara says in general building permits are required for all new construction, additions, and alterations, while routine maintenance and repair of buildings and replacement of existing equipment generally do not need permits.
Required Documents
- Combined building/zoning permit application or project-specific application
- Parcel identification
- Owner/applicant/designer information
- Scope and valuation
- Workers compensation affidavit if applicable
- Supporting plans and stormwater or floodplain documents where required
- Permit validity
- Permit expires if no work is commenced within 6 months of issue. The main department page does not publish a single blanket expiration rule for every permit type, and the current fee resolution also includes separate fees for permit time extensions and permit modifications/renewals.
- Building code
- Township enforces statewide building codes through the Pennsylvania UCC and its third-party building code agency. Pennsylvania's current UCC update became effective January 1, 2026.
- Owner-builder
- Application allows owner, contractor, design professional, or other applicant roles. Workers compensation affidavit is posted for qualifying applicants.
- Contractor requirements
- Current application asks for Pennsylvania contractor registration number and Township Business Privilege License number unless not applicable. Pennsylvania home improvement registration context also applies where threshold is met.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Building permit minimums and zoning minimums are listed in the 2026 fee resolution by permit type.
- Plan check fee
- Included in the 2026 fee resolution and third-party review structure where applicable.
- Permit fee formula
- The township posts a combined fee resolution covering building, zoning, stormwater, subdivision/land development, zoning hearing, and related application charges; formulas vary by permit type and valuation or flat fee category.
- Reinspection fee
- The fee resolution includes permit time extension and permit modification/renewal charges and other supplemental fees.
- Payment note
- Applicants should review the 2026 fee resolution before submission because township and third-party review costs vary by project type.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Routine maintenance and repair of buildings
- Replacement of existing equipment
- Other work specifically exempt under the UCC, if confirmed with the township for the proposed scope
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Township/Approved Code Services, Inc. (in-person)
- Inspection hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Not listed on the main page; building inspections follow the Approved Code Services process and township zoning/final use approvals as applicable.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Township enforces statewide building codes through the Pennsylvania UCC and its third-party building code agency. Pennsylvania's current UCC update became effective January 1, 2026.
- Verify contractor license: Pennsylvania UCC and Labor & Industry
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- 2026 Fees Resolution
- Combined Building and Zoning Permit Application
- Stormwater Management
- License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Swatara Township Building and Codes Department before applying.
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