Erie, PA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required before
- Construction, alteration, demolition, occupancy change
- Admin/technology fee
- $25 per application
- Construction fee over $2,000
- $7 per $1,000 excess
- C/O inspection fee
- $100
- Decision deadline
- 30 business days
- No permit penalty
- Fee doubled, $100 minimum
Summary
Before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing or changing the occupancy of a residential building in Erie, or installing a covered electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the owner or an authorized agent must first apply to the Building Code Official and obtain a permit, per City Code Section 1503.41(a).
An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a residential building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the Building Code Official and obtain the required permit under Section 1503.42 (relating to permit application).
Full Breakdown
42. 31(a) imposes the identical requirement for commercial buildings, structures and facilities. 41(b). 02 sets a $25 administration and technology fee for every building permit plus a construction-cost fee starting at $25 for projects up to $2,000 and rising by $7 for every $1,000 above that, with a separate $100 fee for the certificate-of-occupancy inspection and a $300 charge for emergency or weekend call-out inspections. Not every project needs a permit. 41(c) lists specific exemptions, including retaining walls four feet or less in height, water tanks up to 5,000 gallons, sidewalks and driveways 30 inches or less above grade, prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep, uncovered decks under 100 square feet at 30 inches or less above grade, and cosmetic work such as painting, papering and re-siding. 33(a).
Violations & Fines
Building or occupying a property in Erie without first getting the required permit doubles every fee that would otherwise apply, with a minimum penalty of $100, under Section 1503.51. That doubled fee does not excuse the work from meeting Uniform Construction Code requirements or shield the owner from any other penalty the Code allows. A Building Code Official or Fire Inspector can also issue a written stop-work order under Section 1503.52 that lists the conditions the owner must meet before construction may resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Erie
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