Code Enforcement: Building Permits

To All Code Enforcement Applicants

Please be advised the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008) is effective July 1, 2009. Contractors who perform home improvements for which the total cash value is $5,000 or more per year are required to register with the Office of Attorney General by July 1. Click here for registration form and details.
Effective July 9, 2004, the new International Building Code mandated by the Department of Labor and Industry of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and adopted by the Township of Abington will take effect;
Within the regulations there will be more stringent requirements for plans that are submitted for permits, both commercial and residential;
Applications for commercial work must include plans prepared by an architect and be complete with electrical, plumbing, HVAC and energy calculations;
Plans prepared for residential applications must also be prepared by an architect, and include electrical, plumbing, energy and HVAC calculations. Site plans, accurately drawn and calculated, must also be completed and submitted for review for both commercial and residential applications;
Improperly preparing your application, as noted above, will automatically cause delays in your time schedule for most anticipated work; therefore, ample time should be factored in when preparing your plans. Due to the scope of work to be reviewed, additional time will be required by the Code Department to review the average submittal;
Any application for a building permit that requires access to a highway falling under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, will not be issued until a Highway Occupancy Permit is issued;
The Township of Abington is now requiring that all commercial projects be reviewed entirely prior to permit submission to the Township. An entire plan review would consist of Building, Electric, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire, and Accessibility.
Accessibility plan review and inspections may be performed by one of the four companies listed below:

1. Keystone Municipal Services, 606 Rose Lane, Morton PA 19070,
     Office: 610-544-6410; Fax: 610-544-6411.
2. Code Inspection, Inc., 605 Horsham Road, Horsham, PA 19044,
     Office: 1-866-672-9175; Fax: 215-672-7642.
3. Building Inspection Underwriters, Inc., 302 E. Pennsylvania Avenue,
      Feasterville, PA 19053, Office: 215-322-2626; Fax: 215-364-7921.
4. United Inspection Agency, 180 S. Main St., Ambler, PA 19002
     Office: 215-542-9971; Fax 215-540-9721
Questions regarding the process can be directed to Lisa Erkert,
Office Manager - 267-536-1016

Building Permits are required for roofing, siding, fencing and retaining walls. An application for a Building Permit or Use and Occupancy Permit does not grant permission for the job to start. No work may start until the permit is issued.

Impervious Surface Permits
(Driveways, Patios and any additional Concrete and Macadam Surfaces)