Bethlehem, PA Permit Requirements: Renovation Permits (2026)

Bethlehem is a Pennsylvania 3rd-class city that administers and enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) locally. Construction permits are governed by Article 1701 (Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code) of the Codified Ordinances and by 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403 (the state UCC regulations). 34 Pa. Code Section 403.42(a) lists work that does NOT require a permit: ordinary repairs that do not involve structural members, electrical service, plumbing piping, gas piping or mechanical equipment; replacement windows of the same rough opening that meet the energy code; one-story detached accessory buildings under 1,000 sq ft; fences not over 6 feet; retaining walls under 4 feet; siding and roofing on detached one- and two-family dwellings (state-law exemption); painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work; and swings and playground equipment. Section 403.42(b) requires a permit for everything else, including additions, alterations involving structural members, removal of load-bearing walls, new electrical circuits or service upgrades, new plumbing or gas piping, mechanical equipment replacements (furnaces, water heaters, central air), and any change in occupancy classification. Permits are issued by Bethlehem's Bureau of Code Enforcement, located at 10 East Church Street. The published application checklist (City of Bethlehem Application for Permit) requires residential applicants to submit 2 sets of construction drawings and 2 site plans; commercial applicants must submit 3 sets of drawings and 3 site plans. Commercial plans must be sealed by a Pennsylvania-licensed Architect or Professional Engineer. Bethlehem also adopts the 2018 IBC, IRC, IEBC, IFC (Article 1501), IPMC (Article 1733), IECC, IPC, IMC, NEC and other ICC codes through Article 1701, plus the local amendments described in those articles. Renovations that disturb pre-1978 painted surfaces must also follow EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR Part 745) and may trigger Bethlehem Bureau of Health enforcement under Article 1167.