Haverford, PA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Building permits in Haverford Township sit on two layers. Under § 58-1, the Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 through 405, as amended from time to time, is adopted by reference as the municipal building code of Haverford Township. Section 182-902A of the Zoning chapter then sets the trigger: a zoning permit is required prior to the erection, construction, structural alteration or enlargement of any building, structure or any portion thereof, including any sign; prior to the use or change in use or occupancy of a building or land; prior to the moving of a building into the Township or from one place in the Township to another; and prior to the change or extension of a nonconforming use. That permit is issued simultaneously with the required building permit.

Applications go in writing to the Zoning Officer on Township forms, with building and plot plans in duplicate. Under § 182-902B no zoning permit is complete or permanently effective until the Zoning Officer certifies that the work meets the chapter and any other applicable code or ordinance. Under § 182-902C, permits are granted or refused within 30 days after the date of application, and a refused applicant is told of the right to appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board.

Expiration is strict. Under § 182-902D, no permit for the erection, razing, change, alteration or removal of buildings is valid after six months from issuance unless the work has substantially commenced within six months and proceeds with due diligence. A permit delayed by reasonable cause not due to the applicant's own negligence can be renewed without additional cost.

On completion, § 182-902E requires notice to the Zoning Officer and a certificate of occupancy before the building is occupied or the lot used, granted or denied within 30 days of application. Fees follow the schedule adopted by resolution of the Board of Commissioners under § 182-903. Section 58-2A separately requires a certificate of occupancy before any dwelling or nonresidential property is used, occupied or conveyed.