Starting a building project in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania? Most construction requires permits before you begin.
Montgomery County comprises numerous municipalities that each run their own building departments. Your project location determines which office handles your application.
This guide covers the Montgomery County permitting process that includes application steps, required documents, typical fees, and inspection procedures.
Simplify permitting in Montgomery County with PermitFlow. Learn how.
What requires a building permit in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County follows the Montgomery County PA Building Code, which requires permits for most residential and commercial construction. Depending on your project location, the township or borough enforces the code and issues permits.
You’ll likely need a permit for:
- New construction of residential or non-residential buildings (houses, duplexes, commercial buildings)
- Additions, extensions or structural changes to existing buildings (rooms, expansions, new wings, new load-bearing walls, foundation work, second stories, etc.)
- Construction of accessory buildings / detached structures (garages, large sheds, workshops), especially if size or use triggers zoning/building-code review
- Major renovations: structural alterations, changes to means of egress, replacing windows/doors that affect exit routes, changing occupancy, creating new dwelling units, etc
- Trade-system work: plumbing, electrical, HVAC/mechanical, fire-protection or fire-alarm systems, major utility work, when those systems are being installed or significantly altered
- Demolition or relocation of buildings or substantial structural elements
- Work that impacts zoning, lot coverage, setbacks, environmental/drainage regulation, or other municipal zoning code, even if no structure is changed (e.g. adding a large driveway, putting up a large fence, building a large deck, or other accessory uses)
- Changes of use or occupancy, e.g., converting a residential building to multi-unit rental, or starting a business in a house, usually require a permit or certificate of occupancy under municipal codes
What doesn’t require a Montgomery County building permit?
Minor updates that usually don’t need a permit:
- Minor, non-structural maintenance or cosmetic work (painting, wallpaper, floor refinishing, interior cosmetic repairs), if no structural, egress, utility, or code-relevant systems are changed
- Minor repairs or component replacements (e.g. replacing sinks, faucets, light fixtures, small repairs), depending on local electrical/plumbing-permit rules, may require only trade permits or no permit if below thresholds
- Small accessory structures, small sheds or temporary structures. Some municipalities set a size threshold (e.g. under certain sq ft) or defer permit requirements for small, low-impact structures
- Some exterior non-structural changes (e.g. small decks, fences, landscaping, depending on zoning and local building-code amendments, may require only zoning permits rather than full building permits
- Work inside municipalities that choose to exempt certain minor works or grant waivers under local code amendments
Montgomery County building permit cost
Permit fees vary by municipality and are often calculated by square footage, construction value, or per-discipline. Below are fees for Montgomery Township.
Residential fees
Commercial fees
Montgomery County trade permits
Plumbing permits
A plumbing permit is required for any new, replaced, or altered water, sewer, or venting systems.
Electrical permits
Electrical permits are required for all service upgrades, system changes, or major wiring installations.
HVAC permits
HVAC work requires a mechanical permit for all heating/cooling system installs or replacements.
Roofing, fencing, and special permits
Accessory work and outdoor structures typically require additional permits.
Take the pain out of Montgomery County permitting
PermitFlow reduces your permitting workload by 90%. Learn how.
How to get a building permit in Montgomery County, PA
Montgomery County itself does not issue standard building permits. Those are handled by each township/borough under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (PA UCC). The County mainly issues things like Highway Occupancy Permits (HOPs) for work in county road rights-of-way and health-related permits.
Step 1: Confirm your municipality and building department
Montgomery County municipalities each have their own permit office (Building, Codes, or Planning & Zoning). Start by confirming which township or borough the property is in, then go to that municipality’s website or office.
You’ll typically need:
- Completed local township/borough building permit application (not a county-wide form). For example, Montgomery Township’s building permit application is available online from the Planning & Zoning office.
- Construction drawings and/or site plan (showing dimensions, setbacks, utilities)
- Contractor license and insurance info (if using a contractor)
- Scope of work + estimated value
- Zoning approval or confirmation (often a separate zoning permit or sign-off)
- For some projects on county roads: a Montgomery County Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) if you’re installing a driveway, utility, or other work in a county right-of-way
Step 2: Submit your application
How you submit depends on the municipality:
- Montgomery Township: Building permit applications are available online at montgomerytwp.org and at the Planning & Zoning Office. The Planning & Zoning page also lists common projects that require permits and links to forms
- Lower Merion Township: Has an online permitting portal for residential building permits (new homes, additions, interior work, roofing, solar, etc.)
- Upper Providence Township: Uses a GovPilot online portal for building permits, zoning permits, and special events, plus separate requirement PDFs (decks, pools, basements, sheds, etc.)
- Norristown Borough: You or your contractor must complete a construction permit application by visiting the Code Enforcement Department at Municipal Hall. Staff can help you fill it out and confirm the required documentation
- Springfield Township (Montco): Provides online applications for building, electrical, and plumbing permits, plus a fee schedule
Step 3: Plan review
Your local Building or Codes department (or their third-party UCC inspector) reviews your plans for compliance with the Pennsylvania UCC + any local amendments. For example, Montgomery Township enforces the PA UCC using 2018 ICC codes (IRC, IBC, mechanical, plumbing, etc.).
Larger or more complex projects may also be routed to:
- Zoning
- Fire marshal
- Health
- Engineering / stormwater
If information is missing, the application may be returned for corrections.
Step 4: Pay fees and receive your permit
Each municipality sets its own fee schedule (often posted as a PDF under “Permits & Forms” or “Fee Schedule”). Once your plans are approved, the town will invoice the remaining permit fees. You can pay online and download your permit card immediately.
Step 5: Start work and schedule inspections
After permit issuance:
- Begin construction according to the approved plans
- Post the permit in a visible location on-site (street-visible where possible)
- Use the inspection instructions on your permit to schedule required inspections (footing, foundation, framing/rough-in, insulation, final, etc.)
A final inspection is usually required to close the permit. If work is never done, many municipalities require a written request to void/close the permit.
Montgomery County permitting resources
- Montgomery County Planning Commission
- Applications & permits
- Permitting & licensing
- Mail: P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311
- General County Contact: 610-278-3000
- Hours: 8:30 a.m.-- 4:15 p.m.
- Montgomery County PA Building Code
- Montgomery Township 2024 Fee Schedule
- Montgomery Township’s building permit application
- Planning & Zoning office
- Montgomery County Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP)
- Montgomery Township: Planning & Zoning Office
- Lower Merion Township: Online permitting portal
- Upper Providence Township GovPilot online portal
Simplify Montgomery County permitting with PermitFlow
Montgomery County's permit system spans over 60 municipalities. Norristown has different forms from Lansdale. Each borough and township operates independently with separate requirements and review processes.
If your team is sick of wasting time on multi-jurisdiction coordination, let PermitFlow take control of the chaos.
PermitFlow manages permitting across every Montgomery County municipality, reducing your workload by up to 90%. We prepare applications that align with Pennsylvania codes and local requirements, submit them to the appropriate offices, and track each permit from submission through approval. Automated status updates give your team clear visibility without manual tracking or constant follow-ups.
Why contractors in Montgomery County trust PermitFlow:
- Local expertise: Our permitting specialists understand requirements across more than 60 municipalities, helping applications move smoothly through review.
- Single, centralized dashboard: Track all your permits in one place with real-time status updates and clear next steps.
- Cleaner submissions, fewer delays: Complete, code-aligned applications reduce rework, prevent avoidable rejections, and keep approvals on schedule.
- Scalable statewide coverage: Manage Montgomery County projects alongside work across Pennsylvania using one consistent platform.
Protect your construction timelines in Montgomery County. Get a demo of PermitFlow today.
