Harrisburg, PA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

The City of Harrisburg adopts the International Building Code, 2003 Edition, in § 8-101.2 and amends it in § 8-101.3. Chapter 8-117 separately adopts the Uniform Construction Code as the City of Harrisburg Construction Code, and under § 8-101.5 any stricter Department of Labor and Industry provision supersedes the City Building Code. The Bureau of Codes Enforcement administers it, and the executive official is the Codes Administrator, also called the Building Official.

Amended section 105.2 lists work that needs no permit and adds that an exemption never authorizes work done in violation of the code or any other law or ordinance. The list covers oil derricks; water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons; sidewalks and driveways outside a public right-of-way, not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade; painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and counter tops; temporary stage sets; small prefabricated above-ground pools; swings and playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; window awnings that project no more than 54 inches; and movable cases, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches. Section 105.2.2 waives application or notice for ordinary repairs below $1,000 on one project in a three-month period, but cutting away walls, removing load-bearing supports, changing required egress, and any work on piping, wiring or mechanical systems never counts as ordinary repair.

Section 8-101.4 sets the fees. Residential buildings pay a $75 application fee plus $8 per $1,000 of estimated cost, and commercial buildings pay $100 plus $10 per $1,000. The application fee plus $4 per $1,000 (residential) or $5 per $1,000 (commercial) is due at submission for plan review and is nonrefundable, and the same per $1,000 amount is due at issuance for inspections. Each permit fee also includes the then current Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code fee and any zoning fee for historic, flood or zoning review. Demolition costs $40 for the first $1,000 of estimated cost and $30 for each additional $1,000. Work done before the application is filed carries an administrative fee equal to the permit charge. Under § 8-101.6, a developer required by law to submit a stormwater management plan needs City Engineer approval before a permit issues.