Permitting - About

Whitehall Township has opted to enforce the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. This state law, along with our local amendments to same, regulates all building, plumbing and electrical work. Permits are required ANY TIME alterations or additions are made to your property and ANY TIME electrical or plumbing work is performed.

Permits are also required for ANY change of use or occupancy of a building (including when you sell your home or rent an apartment). All permits must be secured by the individual doing the work. This means that, in all instances, where a contractor, electrician or plumber is involved, they must secure the permit, regardless of what any agreement between you as the property owner and the professional states.

All permits must be secured PRIOR to commencing work. In addition, depending upon the extent of the work being done and the volume of applications received, permits may take anywhere from 15 to 30 business days to be issued. It is very important for you to plan ahead.

Therefore, if you are a business proposing to establish your facility in Whitehall Township, there are a number of permits and procedures required prior to occupying or using a structure and opening for business.

As of 2012, Whitehall Township has contracted ALL INSPECTION AND PLAN REVIEW for all new construction, alterations and additions to a third party agency. The current contracted agency is Keycodes Inspection Inspection Agency (www.keycodes.net). All questions regarding construction, codes, plan review, inspection and permit and approval status should be directed to their offices at 610-866-9663. No inspections are scheduled in-house and no permits will be issued without Keycodes approval. However, all paperwork is still submitted to, and issued by the Township. Permits Required include (but may not be limited to) the following:

Building Permits
For any proposed alterations, interior or exterior, a building permit must be secured.

1. Electrical Permits - required for any electrical work and for any electrical signs.
2. Plumbing Permits - required for any plumbing work. Work must be done by a plumber who is licensed by Whitehall Township
3. Sprinkler Permits - required for any sprinkler work.
4. Energy Code Compliance
5. Mechanical Permits (i.e., HVAC, etc.)

At this time the Township does NOT accept online permit submissions nor do we accept credit card payments. All fees must be paid via cash or check.

Keycodes Inspection Agency fee schedule can be found under the “Permitting / Codes Enforcement” section of the "Forms & Documents" page of our website.

Other Permits

Use Permit
Provides certification that proposed use is in accordance with regulations of the zoning ordinance and the zoning district in which the site is located.

Sign Permit
Needed prior to erection of any sign or prior to any alteration of existing sign's.
(including change of face)

Certificate of Occupancy/Occupancy Permit
Required prior to occupying structure (whether residential or commercial) or opening of business.

To view current certificate of occupancy inspections fees, please see the Certificate of Occupancy Inspection Application & Guide under the "Permitting / Codes Enforcement" section of the "Forms & Documents" page of our website.

**2025 PLUMBING LICENSE RENEWALS Click for more Information HERE

Recommended Links:
www.iccsafe.org
www.dli.pa.gov
Fair Housing (Housing Discrimination)

Codes Enforcement - About

The Codes division of the Bureau of Planning, Zoning and Development enforces all regulations contained in the Codified Ordinances of the Township not classified as zoning or police matters that deal with property maintenance. For example, the township regulates the height of uncultivated weeds (15"), where and how you may store inoperable vehicles, the dumping or depositing of any type of garbage or debris, shrubbery growth into rights of way, as well as many others.

The Code Enforcement Officers respond to complaints that are covered by these regulations, and issue notices and orders for non-compliance, and where necessary, issue citations through the District Magistrate.

In addition, the Codes Enforcement Officers conduct the vast majority of re-sale inspections for single family and multi family residential properties throughout the Township. If you are selling or leasing your home, you are required to have an inspection performed and a new certificate of occupancy issued each time the property is offered for sale or lease, regardless if there are multiple tenants in a year. In addition, the Township requires that all non-owner occupied properties have designated a LOCAL responsible agent with offices or residence at a location NO MORE than 10 miles from the boundaries of the Township. This individual must be available in times of emergency and authorized to accept legal service on behalf of the owner.

For more information see the 'Forms & Documents' tab.