Scranton, PA Permit Requirements: Renovation Permits (2026)

Scranton is a Pennsylvania 2nd-class A city that administers and enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code locally through the Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits (LIPS). Construction permits are governed by Chapter 187 (Building Construction), Chapter 201 (Construction Codes, Uniform, adopted by City Council on April 13, 2010), Chapter 203 (Contractors, Permits and Inspections), and 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. Applications are submitted to LIPS at City Hall via the OpenGov permit portal at scrantonpa.portal.opengov.com. 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. Scranton enforces the IBC, IRC, IEBC, IFC, IPMC, IECC, IPC, IMC, and NEC through the UCC.