City Building Permits
Bethlehem (Northampton portion), PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Bethlehem (Northampton portion), Pennsylvania. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Bethlehem spans Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Properties in the Northampton County portion are still permitted by the City of Bethlehem's citywide code enforcement and zoning offices.
- Department
- City of Bethlehem Bureau of Code Enforcement, Community and Economic Development
- Address
- 10 East Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
- Phone
- (610) 865-7091
- econdev@bethlehem-pa.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: City of Bethlehem Forms and Permits • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Start with zoning. Bethlehem states zoning is the first step for most projects and directs applicants to call or visit the Zoning Office first.
- Download the correct permit form from the City Forms and Permits page. Building/zoning permit, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, BCCO, and appeal forms are posted separately.
- Assemble the submission package. Bethlehem's building permit application checklist requires multiple sets of plans, site plans for exterior work, and trade permit applications where electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work is included.
- Submit the application to the Bureau of Code Enforcement and include workers compensation documentation or the owner waiver, plus business privilege registration materials for contractors if not already on file.
- Pay fees after review and permit calculation. Separate trade permit fees may apply.
- Call for required inspections and complete all reviews before final approval and any needed certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance.
Typical processing time: No general city turnaround target was located in the reviewed Bethlehem permit pages.
Source: City of Bethlehem Bureau of Code Enforcement, Community and Economic Development
General Requirements
Zoning approval is required for new construction, additions, fences, and other residential projects. Building permits are required for new buildings, additions, alterations, reroofing, decks, interior alterations, pools, signs, sheds, parking lots, and trade work regulated by the UCC.
Required Documents
- Building permit application
- Two residential or three commercial plan sets and site plans
- Trade permit applications for related electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
- Workers compensation certificate or owner waiver
- Contractor business privilege information if not already on file
- Permit validity
- The public Bethlehem pages reviewed do not post a general expiration rule. Fee ordinance language says the City retains 20 percent of the permit fee if a permit is revoked, withdrawn, or expires.
- Building code
- Bethlehem enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. The city fee ordinance expressly references Act 45 and UCC enforcement.
- Owner-builder
- Bethlehem posts a workers compensation waiver form for owner applicants who are exempt from providing contractor coverage.
- Contractor requirements
- The city's building permit application requires a current certificate of insurance for workers compensation and a Business Registration or Mercantile License application if not already on file. Trade permits are handled separately.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $18 for very small sheds, $30 above-ground pool, $36 fence zoning permit, $42 single-family roofing, $50 many plumbing and mechanical residential items, and $60 for alterations up to $5,000
- Plan check fee
- Plan review is embedded in the posted building fee schedules for many items.
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed. Alterations are valuation based, new construction is square-foot based by construction type, and many zoning and trade permits are flat-rate.
- Trade permit fee
- Varies by trade
- Reinspection fee
- Additional reinspections are $75 per visit. Fire occupancy or system reinspections may also be billed at $75 per hour after the included inspection and one reinspection.
- Payment note
- Bethlehem adds the state-imposed $4.50 training fee to every permit issued.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Bethlehem Bureau of Code Enforcement, Community and Economic Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Through the Bureau of Code Enforcement after permit issuance (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Initial permit issuance, then inspections by discipline or milestone, followed by certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance where applicable
Additional Resources
- Building code: Bethlehem enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. The city fee ordinance expressly references Act 45 and UCC enforcement.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Code Enforcement
- Forms and Permits
- Ordinances
- 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 City of Bethlehem Bureau of Code Enforcement, Community and Economic Development before applying.
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