Lower Nazareth Township, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Lower Nazareth administers zoning permits directly and routes building permit review through its third-party construction code process under the Township's posted fee schedules and permit instructions.

Department

Lower Nazareth Township Planning, Zoning and Permitting

Address

623 Municipal Drive, Nazareth, PA 18064

Phone

(610) 759-7434

Website

https://lowernazareth.com/departments/planning_zoning_permitting/permitting.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project needs a zoning permit, building permit, driveway permit, demolition permit, or another township approval. Lower Nazareth publishes project triggers on its permitting page.
2. Obtain any required pre-construction approvals first, including subdivision or land development, sewer, zoning, stormwater, PennDOT, and erosion and sediment approvals where applicable.
3. Submit a complete application. Lower Nazareth requires a signed permit application, two sets of plans and supporting documentation, workers compensation proof or owner waiver, and payment of the permit fee.
4. The Township sends complete building permit applications to its third-party agent for code review. Residential permits are approved or denied within 15 business days and commercial permits within 30 business days.
5. After approval, keep the returned approved set on site, post the permit where visible from the street, and follow the attached inspection schedule.
6. Complete inspections and obtain the use and occupancy permit. The Building Code Official issues the use and occupancy permit within 5 days after notice of final approval from the construction code official, subject to outstanding zoning or outside agency issues.

Typical processing time: Residential 15 business days; commercial 30 business days; use and occupancy permit within 5 days after final notice from the construction code official.

Source: Lower Nazareth Township Planning, Zoning and Permitting

General Requirements

Lower Nazareth requires zoning permits for structures, buildings, signs, changes in use, grading, demolition, fences, patios, decks, sheds, pools, driveways, home offices, home occupations, and new commercial projects. Building permits are required for new dwellings, additions, accessory structures over 500 square feet, decks over 30 inches or with roofs, pools over 24 inches deep, hot tubs, retaining walls over 48 inches, structural interior alterations, means of egress changes, and changes to regulated utility or mechanical systems.

Required Documents

• Signed permit application
• Two plan sets and supporting documentation
• Workers compensation coverage or owner waiver
• All required outside approvals

Permit validity

A building permit is valid for one year from the date of application, with a written extension available. The fee schedule separately lists a permit extension of up to 6 months for $100 where no additional review is required.

Building code

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and ICC codes as linked from the township's permitting page.

Owner-builder

A property owner doing their own work does not need to provide workers compensation insurance but must sign the waiver stating they are performing the work themselves.

Contractor requirements

Lower Nazareth directs residents to verify home improvement contractor registration with the Pennsylvania Attorney General. Workers compensation proof is required unless the owner waiver applies.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Zoning permit fee $75. Building permits use attached residential and non-residential schedules with a $105 Township administration and education fee plus a $100 plan review fee added to all permit fees unless otherwise noted.

Plan check fee

$100 plan review fee added to building permits unless otherwise noted; additional plan reviews are $100 per hour minimum one hour.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Residential building permit schedule uses flat rates plus per-square-foot or per-unit additions. Zoning permits are largely flat-rate. Some permits such as zoning and grading for other work use larger flat fees.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection, additional inspection, additional plan review, and phased construction fees are $100 per hour with a one-hour minimum unless otherwise noted. Swimming pool grading reinspection is listed at $150 per re-review, resubmission, or reinspection. Work started without a permit is charged at three times the regular fee plus any ordinance penalties.

Penalty (no permit)

Work started without a permit is charged at three times the regular fee plus any ordinance penalties

Payment note

Payment is required at application and the township accepts cash, check, ACH, and credit card. Convenience fees apply to ACH and credit card payments.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Smaller accessory structures at 500 square feet or less
• Uncovered decks no more than 30 inches above grade
• Some lower retaining walls

Important: Lower Nazareth's permitting page indicates smaller work may only need zoning or may be exempt from a building permit, but zoning review is still often required

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Through the Township or via the online system for permit-related notifications and status updates (online)

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issued, inspections per attached schedule, final approval by the third-party agent, then township use and occupancy issuance

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and ICC codes as linked from the township's permitting page.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Forms and Applications
• Online Permitting
• Permitting Information
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

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