Erie, PA Permit Requirements: Renovation Permits (2026)

Erie is a Pennsylvania 3rd-class city that administers and enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code locally. Construction permits are governed by Part Fifteen of the Codified Ordinances (Article 1503) 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; 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, and any change in occupancy classification. Permits are issued by the Bureau of Building Standards and Safety at City Hall, 626 State Street, Room 407. Applicants submit a Building Permit Application along with complete sets of plans and specifications. Commercial plans must be sealed by a Pennsylvania-licensed Architect or Professional Engineer. Work must commence within 180 days after permit issuance, and the permit becomes void if more than 180 days lapse between approved inspections. Erie enforces the International Building Code, IRC, IEBC, IFC, IPMC, IECC, IPC, IMC, and NEC through the UCC.