If you're planning a new build, renovation, or system upgrade in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, chances are you’ll need to pull a permit. With local permitting handled by individual townships, knowing what requires a permit, how to apply, and which fees apply can help avoid costly delays.
Simplify permitting in Bucks County with PermitFlow. Learn how.
What requires a building permit in Bucks County?
Permits in Bucks County are issued at the township or borough level, not by the county itself. However, nearly all municipalities follow Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code (UCC), which mandates permits for most building and trade work.
You’ll likely need a permit for:
- New structures & additions: New houses, garages, commercial buildings, room additions, finished basements/attics, structural changes, change of use
- Decks, porches, patios, walls: Most decks (especially if >30" high), covered/enclosed porches, new/expanded patios, retaining walls around >4' or with surcharge
- Accessory buildings over limits: Larger sheds/garages/barns over local size thresholds or with utilities (electric, plumbing, HVAC)
- Roofing & exterior envelope: Full re-roof or major siding/stucco replacement, chimneys and major masonry changes
- Pools & hot tubs: In-ground and most above-ground pools, spas/hot tubs >24" deep, required safety barriers and related electrical
- Electrical / plumbing / HVAC: Service or panel upgrades, new circuits, rewires, new or relocated plumbing lines/fixtures, water/sewer laterals, new/replacement furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, central AC, gas lines
- Demolition & commercial work: Demo of buildings, and almost all commercial/tenant fit-outs, life-safety or fire-protection changes, permanent signs
Start by contacting your township’s building department or zoning officer. For example, Middletown Township and Springfield Township both have detailed requirements.
What doesn’t require a building permit?
The UCC exempts some minor work from permits, such as:
- Cosmetic interior work: Painting, wallpaper, flooring/tiling/carpeting, trim where no structure/systems change
- Small fences & walls: Fences up to about 6 ft and retaining walls under about 4 ft without surcharge (local ordinances may still apply)
- Low, simple decks / small structures: Uncovered decks <30" high and small accessory buildings under local size limits, with no utilities (often zoning permit still required)
- Minor exterior repair: Spot siding/stucco repairs, gutters/downspouts, same-size window/door replacement without structural change
- Minor electrical: Swapping devices (switches/outlets), light fixtures, lamps, plugging in equipment on existing circuits
- Minor plumbing / mechanical / gas: Clearing clogs, fixing leaks, replacing fixtures in place, portable heaters/AC units, grills, and small part replacement that doesn’t change approval
Always confirm with your township’s zoning office or use the resources on the Bucks County Planning Commission page.
Bucks County building permit cost
Because each township manages its own fee structure, Bucks County permit fees vary widely depending on location and project type.
To get a sense of typical permitting costs, here are permit fees for Middletown Township in Bucks County:
Note: Use your township’s forms or reach out to their building department to get exact costs.
Bucks County trade permits
Plumbing permits
Plumbing permits are required for new installs, fixture changes that affect water/sewer, or major rerouting of lines.
Here’s an example of residential plumbing permit fees in Middletown Township:
Electrical permits
Electrical permits are required for all new wiring, panel upgrades, generator installs, or service changes.
Here’s an example of residential electrical permit fees in Middletown Township:
HVAC permits
Mechanical permits are required for new or replacement HVAC systems, ducting changes, and commercial ventilation.
Here’s an example of residential HVAC permit fees in Middletown Township:
Make Bucks County permitting predictable.
Centralize applications, approvals, and status tracking with PermitFlow. Learn how.
How to get a building permit in Bucks County
The Bucks County Building Department itself does not issue building permits. Permits are issued by each township or borough (e.g., Warwick, Lower Makefield, Doylestown, Bensalem) under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (PA UCC).
Step 1: Contact your local municipality
Start by confirming which township or borough your property is in, then find its Building / Codes / Community Development department on the municipal website.
You’ll typically need:
- Completed local building permit application
- Site plan and/or construction drawings
- Contractor license and insurance proof (if you’re not DIY)
- Detailed project scope and estimated cost
- Zoning approval or separate zoning permit (setbacks, use, height, coverage)
Step 2: Submit your application
Submission methods vary by township, but usually include:
- Printing PDF forms and dropping them off or mailing them to the township
- Using a drop box at the municipal building
- Submitting online through a portal or by email (where offered)
Step 3: Wait for plan review
Once you apply, your township reviews the plans for:
- Zoning compliance (setbacks, use, height, lot coverage, floodplain)
- Building code compliance under PA UCC (IRC/IBC/NEC, etc.)
- Stormwater / grading requirements
- Sometimes fire marshal, health, or engineering for larger or commercial projects
Step 4: Pay fees and receive your permit
After approval, the township calculates your building, zoning, grading, and trade permit fees using its fee schedule. Once you pay:
- The township issues your permit card/placard
- Lists any special conditions
- Confirms which inspections are required
You must post the permit visibly on site.
Step 5: Begin construction and schedule inspections
With your permit issued and posted, you can start work exactly as shown on the approved plans. You’re responsible for:
- Scheduling required inspections (footings, foundation, framing, rough-in electrical/plumbing/HVAC, insulation, final, etc.) using the township’s instructions or portal
- Making sure the site is safe and accessible for inspectors
- Not covering work (e.g., backfilling footings, closing walls) until it passes inspection
Most Bucks County municipalities require a final inspection and, for many projects, a Use & Occupancy (U&O) certificate before you can occupy new or altered space.
Bucks County permitting resources
- Bucks County Planning Commission
- Address: 1260 Almshouse Road, Doylestown, PA 18901
- Phone: 215-345-3400
- Fax: 215-345-3886
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
- Email: webmaster@buckscounty.org
- 2018 International Residential Code
- 2018 International Building Code
Simplify Bucks County permitting with PermitFlow
Permitting in Bucks County means navigating more than 50 independent municipal building departments. Lower Makefield doesn’t operate like Warrington, and each township and borough brings its own forms, standards, and review timelines. As a result, you’re stuck chasing paperwork, tracking statuses, and coordinating across disconnected systems.
PermitFlow brings order to that complexity.
PermitFlow centralizes the entire Bucks County permitting process in one platform. Our AI agent for permitting prepares and submits applications that align with Pennsylvania codes and local municipal requirements, route them to the correct offices, and track progress from submission through approval. Your team gets real-time visibility into permit status without manual follow-ups, phone calls, or in-person visits.
Why construction teams use PermitFlow in Bucks County:
- Local expertise: Our permitting specialists understand the nuances across county townships and boroughs, helping applications move forward without unnecessary friction.
- One centralized platform: Manage all your permits in a single dashboard, with clear insight into status, timelines, and next steps across jurisdictions.
- Cleaner submissions, fewer delays: Complete, accurate applications reduce rework, avoid preventable rejections, and keep projects on schedule.
- Scalable statewide workflows: Use the same streamlined permitting process for projects in Bucks County, throughout Pennsylvania, and across the country.
Permitting shouldn’t be the bottleneck that slows your build. Get a demo of PermitFlow to see how we bring visibility and momentum to your projects.
