Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania

Jefferson Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction inside Jefferson township (Berks County) that needs a building permit, including new homes

  • Permit application is made on the township uniform construction permit application with building plans, list of materials, plot plan, workers' compensation certificate and the county erosion and sedimentation plan approval letter.
  • Permit is granted or refused within 30 days under the uniform construction code requirements; permits are valid one year and may be renewed annually up to three times.
  • Fees are payable to the municipality and due on issuance before construction; the page directs permit questions to the agency 'ltl' (610-987-9290).

  permit validity: 1 year (renewable annually up to three times)

  “the applicant must complete a uniform construction permit application (download via link at top of page).”

• InspectionsLimited

  Permitted construction inside Jefferson township (Berks County)

  • The page describes a stakeout check before permit issuance, an electrical permit and a plumbing permit for residential and commercial building permits. It does not set out a full inspection schedule, so the inspection schedule is not established.

  “the building inspector will check this stakeout before the building permit will be issued.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Jefferson township (Berks County, PA) limits; the township's own zoning

  • The township zoning page links a zoning map download and the home page lists a Zoning Hearing Board; the ordinance text itself was not opened. Presence is inferred from these township pages, so confirm the adopted zoning ordinance before relying on district rules.

  “zoning jefferson zoning map download 5 solly lane bernville, pa 19506 (610) 488-7047”

• Septic permitRequired

  New homes served by on-lot septic inside Jefferson township (Berks County)

  • Applies to new homes. Alternative: evidence that a tapping or connection fee was paid to the public sewer entity.
  • The plot plan must show on-lot sewage or public sewer tie-in.

  “if the application is for a new home, a septic system permit issued by the sewage enforcement officer or evidence of a tapping or connection fee being paid to the respective public sewer entity must be submitted with the application.”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Additions involving bedrooms in Jefferson township (Berks County) served by on-lot septic

  • This is a letter verifying the adequacy of the existing septic system, not a field inspection. No septic inspection requirement for new homes is stated on the page.

  “if the application is for additions involving bedrooms, sewage enforcement officer must also verify by letter, the adequacy of existing on lot septic systems prior to the issuance of permit.”

• Well permitRequired

  New homes with on-lot water well inside Jefferson township (Berks County)

  • The well permit is issued by 'the authorized well permit department', which the page does not name.

  “if the application is for a new home, a copy of the well permit issued by the authorized well permit department must be attached.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  New home inside Jefferson township (Berks County) where public sewer is available

  • The page allows either on-lot sewage or a public sewer tie-in, and a tapping or connection fee must be paid for a public sewer connection.
  • The page does not state a distance-to-sewer or mandatory-connection rule, so a mandatory-connection requirement is not established.

  “a plot plan on a separate sheet showing size and location of all structures, either on-lot sewage or public sewer tie in, on-lot water well and distance to property lines (hand drawn is acceptable).”

• Driveway accessRequired

  New driveways inside Jefferson township (Berks County)

  • If the driveway abuts a state route, a PennDOT highway occupancy permit is also required, per the same page.
  • Permit issuance is subject to the township building permit process.

  “a driveway permit is required for any new driveway.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building permit fees inside Jefferson township (Berks County)

  • Most permit fees are calculated on square footage at the rate in the municipality's schedule of fees, which the page does not reproduce. Electrical and plumbing permits are required with building permits; their fees are not stated.
  • Payment is due on issuance and before construction, payable to the municipality.

  “most permit fees are based on square footage using the rate in the municipality schedule of fees.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit process inside Jefferson township (Berks County)

  • Application, plans, plot plan, workers' compensation certificate and county erosion and sedimentation approval are required; a 30-day decision period applies under the uniform construction code requirements; permits are valid one year and renewable annually up to three times.
  • The page says the agency 'ltl' makes every effort to issue permits within 10 working days.

  decision period: <= 30 days (after the written application is determined complete)

  “permits shall be granted or refused within 30 days as per the uniform construction code requirements after the written application has been submitted and determined complete.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Jefferson Township or Berks County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Jefferson township (Berks County)
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Jefferson township (Berks County)
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts of Jefferson township (Berks County)
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Jefferson township (Berks County), main single-family residential district
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Jefferson township (Berks County), by district

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.