Municipality of Norristown, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Municipality of Norristown building, housing, property maintenance, rental, and UCC enforcement within Norristown limits

Department

Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement / Buildings & Code Compliance

Address

235 E. Airy St., 2nd Floor, Norristown, PA 19401

Phone

610-272-8080

Website

https://www.norristown.org/180/Buildings-Code-Enforcement

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Obtain permit application and process materials from Buildings & Code Enforcement and confirm the project requires review before work starts.
2. Register the contractor with Norristown before doing work or pulling a permit.
3. Submit the permit application and required plans/documents to the department.
4. Pay permit and any plan review fees once review is complete.
5. Receive the permit, post/keep approved documents on site, then call for required inspections through the department.

Source: Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement / Buildings & Code Compliance

General Requirements

Most construction projects must be reviewed and approved before work starts; work without a permit is subject to double permit fees.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Plans and details sufficient for code review
• Contractor registration documentation
• Trade-specific supporting documents as applicable

Permit validity

Invalid if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance or is suspended/abandoned for 180 days; extension request form available.

Building code

Pennsylvania UCC / state-adopted International Codes; Norristown also enforces its local Building Safety, Property Maintenance and Housing Code.

Owner-builder

Permit may be completed by owner or contractor per permit process page.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must register with Norristown before work; unregistered contractors are subject to double the annual registration fee.

Fees

Plan check fee

Residential plans $75/hour; commercial plans $125/hour; plus $25 administrative fee per review.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based: $5,001–$50,000 at 3.00% per $1,000 or fraction; $50,001–$3,000,000 at 1.50% per $1,000 or fraction; $3,000,001+ at 0.75% per $1,000 or fraction; plus $50 administration fee and $4.50 state fee.

Reinspection fee

Less-than-24-hour cancellation $100; no-show $100; additional inspection after two included inspections per phase $50.

Penalty (no permit)

Work without permit: double the permit fee.

Payment note

Permit-related payment functionality is being added to the Carrigan MIS portal; confirm current payment steps with the department.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement / Buildings & Code Compliance to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Contact Buildings & Code Enforcement (phone)

Inspection hours

Standard municipal business hours.

Typical inspection sequence: Varies by project and permit phase; fee schedule notes phases such as footings, framing, plumbing, etc. Two inspections per phase are included; additional inspections after failed first two are charged.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania UCC / state-adopted International Codes; Norristown also enforces its local Building Safety, Property Maintenance and Housing Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building & Construction
• Permit Application Process
• Code Enforcement Building Fee Schedule
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Montgomery County