South Strabane Township, PENNSYLVANIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Township building department handles building permits, zoning / accessory use permits, certificates of occupancy, grading permits, and related construction approvals within South Strabane Township.

Department

South Strabane Township Building Department

Address

South Strabane Township Municipal Building, 550 Washington Road, Washington, PA 15301

Phone

724-225-9055

Website

https://www.southstrabane.com/building-department/pages/obtaining-building-permit

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Download the building permit application or pick it up at the Township Municipal Building.
2. For commercial projects and additions, secure site plan approval first.
3. Submit the application with plot plan, cost, square footage, workers compensation documents, zoning information, and sewer / septic approvals where applicable.
4. Pay the permit, occupancy, plan review, and state UCC fees that apply to the project.
5. Notify the building official on completion for final inspection and occupancy permit issuance.

Source: South Strabane Township Building Department

General Requirements

The Township states the best public guide is its fee schedule, which addresses most projects requiring permits; the building permit application covers new buildings, additions, accessory structures, and other work requiring code review.

Required Documents

• Plot plan showing the exact project location
• Estimated cost
• Square footage
• Workers compensation certificate or exemption affidavit
• Sewer or septic certification if applicable
• Zoning district and setback information

Permit validity

Permit is valid for 180 days and only as long as the sewer permit remains valid; extensions or new permits may be required if construction is delayed.

Building code

Applicants must comply with ICC / Act 45 construction codes, local amendments, and smoke alarm requirements.

Contractor requirements

Workers compensation certificate or exemption affidavit is required; no separate South Strabane general contractor license requirement was clearly published.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Accessory structures 121 to 500 square feet $45; occupancy permit $250; above-ground pool $100; demolition residential $100 and commercial $200

Plan check fee

Building code appeals use a $1,000 escrow that includes a $500 nonrefundable application fee; standard plan-review handled through the permit and occupancy fee structure.

Permit fee formula

New residential principal structures $0.75 per square foot; new commercial $1.00 per square foot; interior residential structural changes $0.60 per square foot; interior commercial $0.75 per square foot; deck / porch permit $0.75 per square foot; over-1,000-square-foot accessory structures $125 plus $0.30 per square foot.

Payment note

PA state administrative fee is $4.50 per permit; paving / land coverage fee and other supplemental permit fees may also apply by project type.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2023).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the South Strabane Township Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Notify the building official on completion (other)

Inspection hours

Municipal Building regular business hours Monday through Friday daytime hours

Typical inspection sequence: Project-specific inspections during construction followed by final inspection and issuance of occupancy permit.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Applicants must comply with ICC / Act 45 construction codes, local amendments, and smoke alarm requirements.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• FAQ
• License lookup guide: Pennsylvania Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Pennsylvania Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Pennsylvania hub: Pennsylvania Contractor License & Permit Hub

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