Harborcreek Township, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Zoning permits are issued by Harborcreek Township. Building permits are administered through the township's designated inspection agencies, Building Inspection Underwriters Inc. and Prosek's Inspection Services, for UCC-regulated construction.

Department

Planning & Development / Zoning, Harborcreek Township

Address

5601 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek, PA 16421

Phone

(814) 899-3171

Website

https://www.harborcreek.org/departments/plan-dev/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project needs zoning approval using Harborcreek's zoning FAQ and ordinance summaries.
2. Prepare the zoning permit application, plot or site materials, and any stormwater or floodplain submissions that may be triggered.
3. Harborcreek suggests submitting building plans to the chosen inspection service for review before zoning permit submittal to keep the project moving.
4. Submit the zoning permit application and obtain township zoning approval.
5. The inspection agency may then issue the building permit; Harborcreek states inspection services are not authorized to release building permits before receiving zoning approval.
6. Complete required inspections with the selected inspection service and close out the permit.

Typical processing time: Harborcreek's zoning FAQ states most zoning permits typically take about 15 minutes, but approval may take up to 2 days when a small project stormwater management submission or engineer review is needed.

Source: Planning & Development / Zoning, Harborcreek Township

General Requirements

Harborcreek lists zoning permit triggers including new structures, additions, attached and detached garages, pole barns, decks and porches, permanent swimming pools, storage sheds over 120 square feet or a second shed, accessory structures over 120 square feet, prefabricated structures, mobile homes, structure relocations, structural changes, non-residential renovations, signs, demolitions, and non-residential electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.

Required Documents

• Zoning permit application
• Property and project details
• Plot or site information
• Stormwater or floodplain materials when applicable
• Separate building permit application materials required by the selected UCC inspection agency

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as enforced through Harborcreek's designated inspection agencies.

Owner-builder

No separate owner-builder rule was clearly posted on the reviewed Harborcreek pages.

Contractor requirements

BIU forms linked for Erie-area municipalities require workers compensation insurance or waiver documentation. Harborcreek itself did not post a separate contractor licensing rule on the reviewed pages.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25 for demolition zoning permits; $50 for residential additions, accessory structures, and pools.

Plan check fee

Harborcreek posts separate engineering and stormwater review fees, including $200 for residential stormwater review over 5,000 square feet of new impervious area and multiple staff review charges for non-residential projects. A full building permit plan review fee for BIU or Prosek was not posted on the township fee schedule reviewed.

Permit fee formula

Mixed flat and square-foot-based zoning fees. Residential dwelling unit permits are flat fee; commercial and industrial building fees are based on square-foot tiers. Separate subdivision, land development, stormwater, and appeal fees are published.

Reinspection fee

Late filing of permit is $100 or double the fee, whichever is greater.

Payment note

Zoning fees are due with the application. Public building permit payment instructions depend on the selected inspection agency.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Decks or porches that are 29 inches or less in height, without a supporting roof and not over a basement area.
• Detached garages or pole barns under 1,000 square feet.
• Fences meeting Harborcreek's listed fence standards.
• One storage shed under 244 square feet.
• Residential roofing without structural changes.
• Driveways, except separate state highway requirements.
• Residential siding.
• Temporary swimming pools.
• Replacement windows and doors without structural changes, egress changes, or fire-rating issues.
• Certain minor electrical replacement work.
• Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height.
• Portable appliances and residential kitchen appliance replacement.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Selected inspection agency (BIU or Prosek's Inspection Services) (other)

Scheduling deadline

BIU asks for at least 24 hour notice for inspections.

Typical inspection sequence: Harborcreek does not publish a single township sequence. If BIU is the selected agency, BIU's published residential sequence is footing, under-slab plumbing when applicable, slab, foundation, rough-in, and final inspection before occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as enforced through Harborcreek's designated inspection agencies.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Code Enforcement Summaries
• Building Permits
• Residential Zoning Process Guide
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

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