Bethlehem (Lehigh portion), PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Bethlehem spans Lehigh and Northampton Counties. The city code enforcement office administers permits citywide, including Bethlehem parcels in Lehigh County.

Department

City of Bethlehem, Department of Community and Economic Development, Code Enforcement Bureau

Address

10 East Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Phone

(610) 865-7091

Website

https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Community-Economic-Development/Code-Enforcement

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Identify the needed permit or certificate type from the Code Enforcement forms library.
2. Complete the applicable application with property, owner, contractor, and project information.
3. Include supporting materials such as plans, business registration items, or occupancy documentation where the specific form requires them.
4. Submit the package to City of Bethlehem Code Enforcement and pay the listed fee.
5. Complete inspections and obtain occupancy approval where required.

Typical processing time: Processing time not clearly published on the pages reviewed.

Source: City of Bethlehem, Department of Community and Economic Development, Code Enforcement Bureau

General Requirements

Code Enforcement publishes permit and certificate forms for construction, occupancy, and use changes. Permit triggers are form-specific and not summarized in one public FAQ on the reviewed pages.

Required Documents

• Application form
• Owner and contractor information
• Use and occupancy details
• Plans where the form requires them

Permit validity

Not clearly published in the reviewed public pages.

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, with current PA UCC adoption based on the 2021 ICC series effective January 1, 2026.

Owner-builder

Not clearly published in the reviewed public pages.

Contractor requirements

Pennsylvania HICPA registration applies where required. Additional city trade or business registration requirements may apply depending on work type.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Varies by application type.

Plan check fee

Not clearly summarized in one public schedule.

Permit fee formula

Varies by permit or certificate type.

Reinspection fee

Not clearly summarized in one public schedule.

Payment note

Public forms instruct applicants to make checks payable to the City of Bethlehem.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Bethlehem, Department of Community and Economic Development, Code Enforcement Bureau to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Through Code Enforcement after permit filing and approval (phone)

Inspection hours

Not clearly published on the reviewed pages.

Typical inspection sequence: Project-specific. Certificate of occupancy forms indicate final approval and occupancy review steps.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, with current PA UCC adoption based on the 2021 ICC series effective January 1, 2026.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Code Enforcement Section
• Commercial Certificate of Occupancy Form
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Lehigh County