Abington, PA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Abington Township Code §§ 62-1, 62-2
- Adopted code
- BOCA Basic Building Code, 1996, 13th Ed.
- New residential fee
- $360 per 1,000 sq ft, then $180
- Commercial fee
- $850 base for up to 1,000 sq ft
- Occupancy permit
- Required before occupying any building
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine per offense (§116.4)
- Enforcing office
- Department of Code Enforcement
Summary
Abington Township regulates construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy and maintenance of buildings under the BOCA Basic Building Code, 1996 Thirteenth Edition, adopted by Section 62-1. The Department of Code Enforcement issues permits and charges a fee under Section 112.3 for each category of work, including a permanent use and occupancy permit before any building is occupied.
§ 62-1. Adoption of standards by reference. The Township of Abington, in order to regulate construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy and maintenance of buildings and structures within the township, hereby adopts the provisions of the BOCA Basic Building Code 1996, Thirteenth Edition ... and from the date on which this chapter shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the Township of Abington. ... There shall be a added a new Section 112.3, to be titled "Fees," which shall provide as follows: Section 112.3. Fees. Section 112.3.A. New Construction Permit Fees for Residential and Institutional Uses. There shall be a fee charged for new construction permits for residential and institutional uses, including, without limitation, single-family detached dwelling units ... calculated on the basis of square footage of the proposed structure as follows: For up to 1,000 square feet: $360 ... Section 112.3.N. Use and Occupancy Certificate. A use and occupancy permit, either temporary or permanent, is required upon completion of any building or structure prior to occupancy.
Full Breakdown
Section 62-1 of the Abington Township Code adopts the BOCA Basic Building Code, 1996, Thirteenth Edition, in full, "save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended," to regulate construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy and maintenance of buildings and structures Township-wide, with a copy on file at the Township Secretary's office, 1176 Old York Road. Section 62-2 amends specific BOCA sections, naming the Department of Code Enforcement, through its Code Enforcement Official, as the code official under Section 104.1.
Section 112.3, added by Section 62-2(E), sets a permit fee schedule keyed to the square footage or cost of the work: new residential and institutional construction starts at $360 for up to 1,000 square feet plus $180 per additional 1,000 square feet, commercial and apartment construction starts at $850, and separate fee tables cover additions, repairs and alterations, demolition, accessory buildings, detached garages, signs, HVAC installation, impervious surfaces and liquid storage tanks. Section 112.3(N) requires a use and occupancy permit, temporary or permanent, before any building or structure is occupied following completion, with the permanent certificate issued only once the Code Enforcement Department's inspection confirms the building passes all Township code requirements.
A plot plan meeting the specifications in Sections 107.6.1 through 107.6.3, including lot coverage, zoning district data and stormwater calculations, must be filed with the permit application for new buildings.
Violations & Fines
Section 116.4 of the adopted BOCA Code, as amended by Section 62-2(F), makes it a violation to build, erect, construct, alter or repair without the required permit or in violation of an approved plan, punishable by fines and penalties up to $1,000 per offense plus a reinspection fee equal to the original permit fee, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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