Building & Construction Permits

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Tredyffrin Township is pleased to offer our residents, businesses & visitors access to the Township’s new online permit system for residential/commercial building and stormwater & grading permits. This new system, Clariti, is designed to improve the efficiency, convenience, and transparency of the permit application and approval process, allowing you to apply for permits and make payments online from the comfort of your home or office.

Building permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or otherwise change the occupancy of a building. Permits are also required in order to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system regulated under the 2018 International Building Code. (The 2018 International Building Code is effective on April 18, 2022, and shall include the International Plumbing, Mechanical, Electrical, Fuel/Gas, Energy and Existing Building codes.) Solar PV projects also require one inspection (subject to final approval).

In an effort to improve our application & review process, it is preferred that the General Contractor complete one application for all permit types (check all that apply). Submissions should include one electronic copy of the plan or plan set. Estimated costs are required for plan review, therefore a completed cost analysis sheet must be submitted at the time of application. The required cost analysis sheet is included in the Application for Building & Construction Permit below (page 3).

Permit Application Process

Maximum plan review time for a Residential plan is 15 business days and 30 days for a Commercial plan. Tredyffrin Township Permits and Inspections Department is committed to the earliest possible approvals.

  • Payment is not required upon submission. The applicant/contractor will be invoiced once submitted plans are reviewed. Calculate fees(XLSX, 15KB).
  • The inspector/plans examiner will review the application and request any additional information from the contractor.
  • Please allow 24-48 hours after payment to process & issue permits.
  • Permits must be posted & visible from the street. Once work is completed, an inspection must be scheduled. Please call 610-644-1400 and press #4 or e-mail permits@tredyffrin.org to schedule an inspection. For electrical inspections, the Township uses United Inspections (215-542-9977). Final inspections must be completed before a Use & Occupancy Permit may be issued. 

Application Materials

Below are examples of various permits you can now find on our new online permitting site, Clariti! Through Clariti, you can apply directly online for Residential or Commercial Building Permits & Stormwater/Grading Permits! Questions? E-mail permits@tredyffrin.org or call 610-644-1400 and press #4.

Other Permits

The application process for fairs or carnivals within Township parks is handled through the Permits Department. Please contact this department with any questions via e-mail or by calling 610-644-1400 and pressing #4.

Application for Fair or Carnival Permit(PDF, 178KB)

Application for Fireworks Permit(PDF, 81KB)

Woodland Ordinance & Tree Removal Application

The Stormwater Task Force highlighted the important role that trees play in slowing and absorbing stormwater, and its Ordinance Working Group worked extensively with the Township to develop an ordinance that encourages the conservation of the Township’s trees. The Board of Supervisors adopted a Woodland Conservation Ordinance on August 28, 2023. 

A Tree Removal Application(PDF, 689KB) and compensatory planting are required to remove more than five trees measuring 6” or more in diameter at Breast Height (DBH) during a rolling twelve month period.  Dead, non-viable or hazardous trees are exempt. Further, in addition to existing steep slope regulations, no more than 50% of the total area covered by woodlands on slopes less than 15% may be disturbed. 

The full ordinance is available here and a Summary of the Key Provisions and a list of the native trees for compensatory planting can be found by clicking here(PDF, 230KB).

Tree Removal Application(PDF, 689KB)

Student Housing

Student Housing in Tredyffrin Township is governed by §208-122.1 of the Zoning Code. The following criteria (excerpted from the Code) must be met before the Zoning Hearing Board may authorize a special exception for a student home as limited below:

  1. The number of student tenants living in a student home shall not exceed three.
  2. Single-family dwelling has a floor area of at least 1,000 square feet exclusive of basements, garages and accessory buildings. Two-family dwelling has a floor area of at least 2,000 square feet exclusive of basements, garages and accessory buildings.
  3. A student home shall not be located closer than the distance equal to 20 times the required minimum lot width for the type of dwelling used for the student home in the applicable zoning district where the student home is proposed to be located from another student home located on another lot. The distance between the two student homes shall be measured by the shortest distance between the two lots where the student homes are located.
  4. A student home shall meet the area and bulk requirements for the type of dwelling used for the student home in the applicable zoning district where such use is proposed.
  5. A buffer area with a width of 10 feet shall be required for student homes along the side and rear lot lines of the subject property.

Any student home in the Township shall be subject to Chapter 151, Property Registration. 

Student Registration Form(PDF, 67KB)

Compliance

In addition, the proposed construction must comply with all applicable building codes, the Stormwater Ordinance and the Zoning Ordinance. Please visit the Stormwater & Grading Permit page for additional information.

Stormwater & Grading Permits can now be submitted online through our new permitting system, Clariti!

Submit your Stormwater & Grading Permit Application Online!

The following types of applications are handled by the Zoning Hearing Board.

Use & Occupancy

Use & Occupancy permits (U&O) - also known as a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) - are required for all commercial uses (including changes in ownership) and all new construction (including residential). These permits are intended to certify that the use complies with the Zoning Ordinance and applicable building regulations. Use and Occupancy applications should be submitted to Township prior to the final review for building permits.

Use & Occupancy: Commercial

For commercial properties, Use and Occupancy permits are required prior to occupancy for:

A. new building construction;
B. commercial alteration of existing building or tenant space;
C. change of occupant;
D. change in use of a building or land;
E. prior to the change or extension of a nonconforming use (A use or activity that was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of this chapter, but that fails by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment to conform to the present requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.)

Applicants must complete and sign the Use and Occupancy Permit Application(PDF, 214KB) and submit it with the associated fee. Click here for the fee schedule(PDF, 375KB).

For items A & B above, a Use and Occupancy permit application and fee must be submitted in conjunction with a Building Permit application. After the building permit is approved and all inspections are successfully completed, a use and occupancy permit will be issued. This process verifies that the construction was completed according to the approved building plans and applicable building and fire prevention codes.

For items C, D & E above, if proposing a change in commercial occupancy without any accompanying changes to a building, submit a use and occupancy application, including the architect's signature and seal on the application. It is important to indicate the proposed use and the proposed total gross floor area. A brief description should include additional information about the use and occupancy, such as the proposed use and what area the office will occupy. The Building Inspector will review for compliance with the Township's Zoning Ordinance, Building and Fire Prevention Codes. An inspection of the property for code compliance will follow. Once that is successfully completed, a use and occupancy permit will be issued.

For commercial uses, a Use and Occupancy permit cannot be issued until approval is obtained from other departments, including:

Public improvements & Stormwater management

 Township Engineer 610-644-1400

Sewer connections & use

 Municipal Authority 610-408-3611

State registration

 PA Department of Labor & Industry 717-787-3806

Highway Occupancy permit approval

 Township Engineer and/or PennDOT  610-644-1400

Private wells or onsite septic systems

 Chester County Health Department 610-344-6225

Use involving food preparation or commercial kitchens 

 Chester County Health Department 610-344-6225 

 

Use & Occupancy: Residential

Chapters 80, 163 and 208 of the Tredyffrin Township Code, and, by reference, the 2006 ICC Codes require Use and Occupancy permits for all new residential construction. This permit is not required for changes in residential ownership or tenancy.

Use and Occupancy Application(PDF, 214KB)

Home Businesses

Some businesses are permitted to operate out of homes in residential districts (RC, R-½, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4) if they meet the following conditions:

No-Impact Home-Based Businesses are permitted by right if they meet the definition and requirements. No approval is necessary from Tredyffrin Township. If you require written confirmation from the Township that the business is authorized, send a letter to the Township certifying that your business will comply with all of the requirements for a no-impact home-based business and we will respond with written confirmation. Be sure to include the property address where the business will be located in the letter.

Home Occupation (or low-impact home-based business): A lawful occupation customarily or traditionally carried on within a dwelling by the inhabitants thereof, which use is incidental and subordinate to the use of the dwelling for living purposes and does not change the character thereof or involve the use of mechanical equipment other than that customarily used for purely domestic or hobby purposes. A home occupation in a residence district shall not be interpreted to include the following: a barbershop, beauty shop or hair stylist, tearoom, tourist home, mortuary, convalescent home or similar use of a commercial nature.

Each permitted home occupation must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Such use shall be located in the dwelling in which the person conducting the home occupation resides or within a building accessory thereto and shall not involve the use of any mechanical equipment other than that customarily used for purely domestic or hobby purposes.
  • Not more than one person shall be employed in such home occupation who is not a resident of the dwelling.
  • The area used for the home occupation shall not exceed either 600 square feet or 50% of the total floor area, whichever is the smaller area.
  • There shall be no display of products, storage of goods or materials or signs visible from outside the building, except for a name or accessory use sign, and there shall be no external evidence of the home occupation or alterations which would be inconsistent with the residential use or appearance of the building.

Other Information

2020 ISO Building Code Enforcement Report(PDF, 887KB)

Ordinary repairs to structures do not require a building permit. Ordinary repairs include:

  • Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finishing work.
  • Swings and other playground equipment accessory to one- and two-family dwellings.
  • Prefabricated pools that are less than 24 inches deep.
  • Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
  • Window replacement without structural change.
  • Replacement of existing roof material that does not exceed 25% of the total roof area performed within any 12-month period.
  • Replacement of existing siding.
  • Repair or replacement or any part of a porch or stoop which does not structurally support a roof located above the porch or stoop.
  • Installation or addition of roll or batt insulation.
  • Replacement of exterior rain water gutters and leaders.
  • Minor electrical repair and maintenance work such as the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approve permanently installed receptacles, or the replacement of a receptacle, switch or lighting fixture rated at 20 amps or less and operating at less than 120 volts with a like or similar item (does not include replacement of GFCI receptacles).
  • Replacement of installed, electrically operated doorbells, communication systems and any motor operated device.
  • Portable heating, ventilation or cooling equipment.
  • Stopping leaks in pipes.
  • Replacement of faucets, lavatories or toilets.
  • Removal of an underground storage tank - Residential Only.
  • Ordinary repairs do not include:
    • the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof
    • the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load bearing support
    • the removal or change of any required means of egress or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting its exit way requirements
    • the addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping; electrical wiring; or mechanical.

The Asbestos NESHAP regulations require all facility owners or demolition contractors to submit an Asbestos Abatement and Demolition/Renovation Form to the Pennsylvania DEP and the United States Environmental Protection Agency at least 10 working days before the onset of demolition. All buildings must be thoroughly inspected for asbestos-containing materials prior to any demolition or renovation. The only exception to this is when the demolition is one single-family dwelling that is not part of a larger project, such as a commercial or condominium development. These materials are available from your DEP regional office.

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