Approvals for a new single family home in Pennsylvania
This is the list ShovelCue builds for a new single family home in Pennsylvania before it knows anything else about the site. It has 40 items in 7 groups.
Required the rules say soLikely usual for this kind of projectCheck locally depends on the site or the town
Due Diligence & Studies
Boundary / ALTA Survey
RequiredA boundary survey fixes the lot lines the building is placed from.
Topographic Survey
LikelyGives the grades the house, driveway and drainage are drawn on.
Geotechnical Investigation / Report
Check locallyOnly where the soils, a slope or the building department call for borings.
Wetlands Delineation
Check locallyLikely needed for a project like this. Check for wetlands, floodplain or other environmental conditions.
Flood / Floodplain Study
Check locallyLikely needed for a project like this. Check for wetlands, floodplain or other environmental conditions.
Stormwater / Drainage Study
Check locallySome towns ask for a drainage plan for a new building.
Land Use & Entitlements
Variance (Zoning Hearing Board)
Check locallyThe zoning hearing board opens its hearing within 60 days and decides within 45 days after the last hearing.
- Agency
- Zoning hearing board
- Clock
- Set by law
- Source
- legis.state.pa.us
Historic Preservation Approval
Check locallyOnly in a historic district, where the commission reviews new buildings.
Zoning Permit
RequiredThe zoning office confirms the new building meets the setbacks, height and lot coverage.
HOA or Architectural Review Approval
Check locallyAn HOA may need to approve the house design before it is built.
Design & Permit Documents
Civil Design Package
Check locallyMany towns ask for a lot grading and utility plan for a new building.
Architectural Design Package
RequiredThe building drawings, from design through the permit set.
Structural Design Package
LikelyThe structural drawings the building permit is reviewed on.
Fire Protection Design Package
Check locallyOnly where the building code or the town requires sprinklers.
Foundation Design
LikelyThe foundation design for the new building.
Energy Code Package
RequiredThe energy code report, usually filed with the permit set.
Permit Drawing Set
RequiredThe signed and sealed drawing sets the building department reviews.
Issued-for-Construction Drawing Set
LikelyThe final drawings the trades build from, with the permit comments included.
Environmental & Site Authorizations
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Approval
Check locallyThe erosion and sediment control plan the county conservation district reviews under the state erosion control rules.
- Agency
- County conservation district
- Source
- pa.gov
Sewage Facilities Planning Module
Check locallyNew development that adds sewage flow usually needs a sewage facilities planning approval from the town and the state before the permit.
- Agency
- Pennsylvania DEP and the municipality
- Clock
- Set by law
- Source
- pacodeandbulletin.gov
Utilities & Infrastructure
Water Service Approval
Check locallyLikely needed for a project like this, since new buildings need new utility service.
Sewer Service Approval
Check locallyLikely needed for a project like this, since new buildings need new utility service.
Electric Service Approval
Check locallyShovelCue has no Pennsylvania record for this line yet, so check who handles it for this site.
Road Opening Permit
LikelyA new driveway or utility connection in the street needs a road opening permit.
Permits & Construction Authorizations
Demolition Permit
Check locallyUsual when an existing structure is demolished.
Building Permit
RequiredThe town or its third party agency reviews the plans under the Uniform Construction Code and decides within 30 business days.
- Agency
- A municipal building code official or a state certified third party agency
- Clock
- Set by law
- Source
- pacodeandbulletin.gov
Plumbing Permit
RequiredThe plumbing permit, reviewed on the same clock as the building permit.
Electrical Permit
RequiredThe electrical permit, reviewed with the building permit.
Mechanical / HVAC Permit
RequiredThe heating and cooling permit, reviewed with the building permit.
Fire Protection Permit
Check locallyOnly where the building code or the town requires sprinklers.
Retaining Wall Permit
Check locallyOnly if the scope includes it.
Temporary Power Permit
LikelyLets the utility connect temporary power for construction.
Health Department Approval
Check locallyOnly with a well or septic system, or food service.
Certificate of Occupancy
RequiredEvery occupiable building needs it before use.
- Agency
- A municipal building code official or a state certified third party agency
- State rule
- The building code official issues the certificate within 5 business days after the final inspection report shows compliance.
- Clock
- Set by law
- Source
- pacodeandbulletin.gov
Construction Readiness
Construction Entrance Installed
LikelyA stabilized entrance so trucks do not track soil onto the road.
Erosion / Sediment Controls Installed
LikelySilt fence and controls in place before digging, as the erosion control plan shows.
PA One Call Notice (811)
LikelyNotify PA One Call at least 3 and no more than 10 business days before any digging or demolition.
- Agency
- Pennsylvania One Call System (811)
- Source
- dli.pa.gov
Survey Control Established
LikelyThe surveyor sets control points so the building goes in the right place.
Required Site Signage / Postings Complete
LikelyThe permit placard and the labor postings on site.
Site Ready to Mobilize
LikelyThe milestone for your target construction start.
Sources
- legis.state.pa.usVariance (Zoning Hearing Board)
- pa.govErosion and Sediment Control Plan Approval
- pacodeandbulletin.govSewage Facilities Planning Module
- pacodeandbulletin.govBuilding Permit
- dli.pa.govPA One Call Notice (811)
Items with no source link come from the national list and are decided by the town or the site. Ask the local office.
Other project types in Pennsylvania
This is general information from public sources. It is not legal advice. Confirm every item with your town and the agencies named before you rely on it.