Wilkes-Barre, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within the City of Wilkes-Barre

Department

City of Wilkes-Barre, Building Code Enforcement / Code Enforcement

Address

1st Floor, City Hall, 40 East Market Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711

Phone

570-208-1629

Email

bowens@wilkes-barre.pa.us

Website

https://www.wilkes-barre.city/code-enforcement/pages/building-permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm permit need with the Building Permits page; permits are required for electrical, building, plumbing, HVAC, and driveways/curb cuts.
2. Complete the city building permit application and include a signed contract; large commercial projects must also include three sets of drawings plus a labeled flash drive.
3. Submit the application electronically to the permits clerk, by mail, or in person at City Hall.
4. Pay the permit fee and any inspection or third-party plan review charges.
5. Pick up or receive the issued permit by mail, then display it on site.
6. Schedule required inspections and keep the permit posted until completion.

Typical processing time: Commercial permit applications without commercial drawings are available for pickup after 12:00 p.m. on the 3rd business day; residential timing is not separately posted

Source: City of Wilkes-Barre, Building Code Enforcement / Code Enforcement

General Requirements

Electrical, building, plumbing, HVAC, driveways, and curb cuts; homeowners may apply only for their primary residence

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Signed contract
• Contractor license and PA registration information
• Work description
• Job value
• Zoning status
• For large projects: three sets of drawings plus a flash drive

Permit validity

Pennsylvania UCC default applies where the city page does not publish a different local rule; permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days or is suspended or abandoned for 180 days, and cannot remain valid beyond 5 years

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; PA L&I states the triennial update based on the 2021 ICC series is effective January 1, 2026

Owner-builder

Homeowners may apply only for work on their primary residence and are then responsible for all work and inspections

Contractor requirements

City-licensed contractors are required for contractor-filed permits; Pennsylvania HICPA registration still applies where required

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$59.50 plus inspection fee ($60 residential or $75 commercial)

Plan check fee

Certain projects may require third-party plan review and additional fees

Permit fee formula

Valuation based, with higher brackets and a full schedule for projects over $10,000

Penalty (no permit)

Permit must be displayed or a $300 fine may apply

Payment note

Electronic submissions are mailed out after payment is processed if not picked up in person

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Wilkes-Barre, Building Code Enforcement / Code Enforcement to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Code Enforcement Office (phone)
• City Hall (in-person)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Project-specific; the city separately uses BHW for existing commercial inspections and requires permit holders to keep permits posted until completion

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; PA L&I states the triennial update based on the 2021 ICC series is effective January 1, 2026
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• 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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