Canonsburg Borough, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Borough zoning staff handle zoning permits and the online citizen portal; Municipal Consulting Services LLC handles building permit review and inspections for UCC work.

Department

Canonsburg Borough Building Department; Code Enforcement / Zoning; Municipal Consulting Services LLC

Address

Canonsburg Borough, 68 East Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317

Phone

Borough 724-745-1800; Building Inspector 724-263-0377

Email

mcservices111@gmail.com

Website

https://www.canonsburgboro.com/building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project needs zoning approval, a building permit, or both; Canonsburg posts separate building and zoning applications.
2. Submit the zoning permit first when applicable through the Citizen Portal or Borough office.
3. Submit the building permit application and checklist with plot plan, construction drawings, workers compensation documents, and any other required approvals.
4. Pay the applicable Borough and Municipal Consulting Services fees.
5. Request inspections no sooner than 48 hours before the needed inspection and complete final inspection before occupancy.

Source: Canonsburg Borough Building Department; Code Enforcement / Zoning; Municipal Consulting Services LLC

General Requirements

Permits are required to construct, alter, enlarge, demolish, occupy, or use buildings and related systems; zoning permits are also separately required for land use and structure placement.

Required Documents

• Plot or site plan with property lines, setbacks, easements, structure location, grades, and retaining walls
• Two sets of construction drawings for most residential work; three sealed sets for commercial work
• Workers compensation certificate or waiver
• Septic / sewage approval
• Highway occupancy permit where applicable
• ADA details for commercial buildings

Building code

Pennsylvania UCC administered by the Borough and third party building inspector.

Owner-builder

Permit packet contemplates owner or applicant submission and requires applicant certification; no separate public owner-builder policy page was found.

Contractor requirements

Workers compensation proof or exemption is required; PA HIC registration is referenced in the permit packet for contractors doing at least $5,000 of home improvements per year.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential and commercial building permit minimum $50 (2024 MCS schedule); occupancy permit residential $75 and commercial $100 (2025 Borough schedule)

Plan check fee

Residential new family dwelling $75 per dwelling unit; manufactured dwellings $0.20 per square foot; nonresidential plan review varies by schedule

Permit fee formula

Residential new construction/additions $0.35 per square foot; residential repairs/alterations $8 per $1,000; nonresidential new construction $0.50 per square foot; nonresidential additions $0.45 per square foot; nonresidential repairs/alterations $12 per $1,000; decks, porch roofs, walls, fences $100; above-ground pools $125; in-ground pools $225

Reinspection fee

First reinspection no charge; second reinspection $50; third reinspection $100; failure to show or reschedule within 24 hours $25 per incident

Payment note

Borough fee schedule and MCS schedule both apply depending on permit type and inspection service.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024-2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Canonsburg Borough Building Department; Code Enforcement / Zoning; Municipal Consulting Services LLC to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Request inspections from Municipal Consulting Services (other)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections must be requested no sooner than 48 hours before needed

Inspection hours

Borough office hours Monday through Friday, standard business hours

Typical inspection sequence: Footing; outside sewer; foundation; inside sewer and plumbing; electrical by third party inspection agency; rough framing; energy conservation; wallboard; final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Pennsylvania UCC administered by the Borough and third party building inspector.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Borough Fee Schedule
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

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