Scranton, PA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required for
- Construction, alteration, demolition, equipment install
- Electrical applications
- Must be filed by a master electrician
- Small-job fee
- $25 under $300 in cost
- Large-job fee
- $9,240 plus $4/$1,000 over $1M
- Contractor insurance
- $500,000/$1,000,000 liability minimum
- Permit expiration
- 6 months of suspended work
Summary
Scranton requires a Bureau of Code Enforcement permit before any construction, alteration, addition, removal or demolition of a building or structure, and before installing or altering equipment like heating, gas or electrical systems. Permit fees are tiered by project cost, from $25 under $300 up to $9,240 plus for work over $1 million.
It shall be unlawful to construct, alter, repair, add to, remove or demolish or to commence the construction, alteration, repair, addition, removal or demolition of a building or structure or to install, repair, alter, enlarge or replace any equipment related to the operation of a building or structure, including gas, electric or water appliances, heating systems, ventilating systems, air-conditioning systems, sprinkler and refrigeration systems, power facilities, sanitation, toilet and drainage facilities, signs and outdoor display structures, or use of services afforded by a public utility, or any land development, grading, excavating or blacktopping, without first filing with the Bureau an application, in writing, and obtaining a formal permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4719898; v25 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Section 203-7B of the City Code makes it unlawful to construct, alter, repair, add to, remove or demolish a building or structure, or to install, repair or replace equipment tied to a building's operation, including gas, electric or water appliances, heating, ventilating or air-conditioning systems, sprinkler and refrigeration systems, signs, or any land development, grading or excavating, without first filing a written application with the Bureau and obtaining a formal permit. The property owner or a licensed contractor employed by the owner files the application; an electrical installation permit must be filed by a master electrician, and a plumbing or heating installation permit by a master plumber or mechanical contractor (§ 203-7C).
Before a permit issues, the applicant must submit zoning approval, a stamped site plan, an erosion and sedimentation control plan, and drawings certified by a Pennsylvania-registered professional, and contractors must show proof of $500,000 per-person and $1,000,000 per-occurrence liability insurance (§ 203-7D, E). 50 Act 45 fee. Work must start within six months or the permit expires and a new one, at half the original fee if the plans are unchanged, is required to resume (§ 203-8).
Violations & Fines
Performing work that requires a permit without one triggers a stop-work order under § 203-11: a $50 fine if paid within 24 hours, $100 after 72 hours, and up to $2,000 if unpaid after 30 days, with each additional day a separate offense carrying up to $1,000. Continuing work after a stop-work order is issued carries a fine of $500 to $10,000, referred to the Magisterial District Judge if unpaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scranton
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