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

Jackson Township’s own rules

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Jackson Township.

  • Property location must be determined using the township zoning map and ordinance.

  “You can view a small or large Zoning Map of Jackson Township to see what area you are in:”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Lots and one-household dwellings inside Jackson Township zoning districts.

  • Lots on approved plans of record that were lawfully held in separate ownership on the ordinance effective date may use the listed relief only if all other ordinance provisions and the required site plan are met.

  “The minimum lot area for every building hereafter erected or altered shall be as follows:”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Buildings inside Jackson Township zoning districts.

  • Existing-lawful nonconforming uses are excepted from the cited conformance rule.

  “No building shall hereafter be erected or altered [...] to have a narrower or smaller rear yard, side yard, or front yard than is herein specified for the district in which the building is located.”

• Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Buildings inside Jackson Township zoning districts.

  “No building shall hereafter be erected or altered [...] to occupy a greater percentage of lot area [...] than is herein specified for the district in which the building is located.”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Buildings inside Jackson Township zoning districts.

  “No building shall hereafter be erected or altered to exceed the height [...] than is herein specified for the district in which the building is located.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles used for human habitation on private property in Jackson Township.

  • A vehicle with sleeping or cooking facilities is presumed occupied for human habitation when parked on property, except an RV parked at its owner's residence that has its own sewage facilities.
  • Sewage-disposal arrangements must comply with the ordinance.

  “It shall be presumed that a structure or facility is being utilized or occupied for human habitation, if and whenany type ofstructure, portable, vehicular or fixed, which has within it, sleeping or cooking facilities., is parked upon property, except where a recreational vehicle is parked at the owners place of residence, which has its own sewage facilities.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Camping sites inside Jackson Township.

  • Holding-tank use requires compliance, all required PADEP approvals, and a permit from the township-designated Sewage Enforcement Officer.
  • Larger or longer camping may only occur with permanent sewage facilities sized for anticipated peak use.

  maximum campers: <= 50 persons (Holding-tank camping-site provision.) · maximum duration: <= 2 consecutive 24-hour days in a one-month period (Holding-tank camping-site provision.)

  “For camping sites utilized by 50 or less persons for no more than two consecutive 24 hour days in a one month period. [...] Camping, outdoor concerts or events larger than those specified in b) and c) above may only be undertaken with permanent sewage facilities sized to accommodate the peak usage anticipated.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Sewage disposal systems inside Jackson Township.

  • Township rules incorporate state sewage-facilities law; conflicting state law controls.
  • The township delegates certain Sewage Facilities Act responsibilities to its appointed Sewage Enforcement Officer.

  “WHEREAS, the Township of Jackson is an agency of local government, responsible for the enforcement of the Pennsylvania sewage Facilities Act, 35 P.S. § 750.1 et. Seq, ; and WHEREAS, the Township of Jackson delegates certain responsibilities under the Sewage facilities Act to an appointed Sewage enforcement Officer,”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, alteration, or extension of any sewage disposal system inside Jackson Township.

  • The permit must be obtained from a township-designated Sewage Enforcement Officer.
  • For facilities not requiring PADEP approval, the officer issues the permit upon compliance with applicable laws and regulations; PADEP-approval documentation is transmitted to the township where required.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person, firm association, corporation, partnership or other organization to construct, alter or extend any sewage disposal system of any kind within the limits of Jackson Township unless a permit to do so has first been obtained from a township designated sewage enforcement officer.”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Sewage facilities governed by the Jackson Township sewage ordinance.

  • Authorized municipal representatives may enter at reasonable times after presenting proper credentials.
  • Owners and occupiers must allow access for compliance determinations.

  “Upon presentation of proper credentials, duly authorized representatives of the Municipality may enter at reasonable times upon any property within the Municipality to inspect the implementation, condition, or operation and maintenance of the sewage facilities in regard to any aspect governed by this Ordinance.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Holding tanks, chemical toilets, composting toilets, and portable toilets inside Jackson Township.

  • The facility must be otherwise permitted by applicable state law or regulation.
  • A permit is required after all required PADEP approvals.
  • Holding tanks are limited to listed uses and conditions, including commercial facilities under 800 gallons per day, specified short-term camping, specified events, and certain homes awaiting public-sewer construction.

  commercial holding-tank flow: < 800 gallons per day (Permanent-basis commercial facilities.) · camping holding-tank duration: <= 2 consecutive 24-hour days in a one-month period (Camping sites of 50 or fewer persons.)

  “No holding tank, chemical toilet, composting toilet or portable toilet, or other such sanitary facility, otherwise permitted in a given situation by applicable state law or regulation shall be utilized in the township without compliance with the following, and issuance of permit, (subsequent to receiving all required PADEP approvals), by the township designated sewage enforcement officer.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Proposed subdivisions in Jackson Township.

  • All plans are subject to Planning Commission review.
  • The township defines subdivision as dividing land into two or more lots, including changes in existing lot lines for transfer of ownership, building, or lot development.

  “The Subdivision Ordinance regulates all Subdivisions proposed in the Township. All plans are subject to review by the Planning Commission.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  New driveways and repaving of existing driveways entering a Jackson Township road.

  • A private road generally does not require a township driveway permit.
  • Driveways entering a state highway require contact with PennDOT.

  “If you are putting in a new driveway or repaving an existing driveway which enters onto a Township road, the answer is yes.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Township zoning, driveway, subdivision, and related permits or reviews.

  • Zoning-hearing applicants remain responsible for compensation, notice, advertising, administrative overhead, and stenographer costs stated on the township fee schedule.
  • Subdivision fees may include additional-lot and incurred engineering costs.

  new driveway permit fee: 50 USD (New driveways only; altered existing driveways still need a permit but have no charge.) · new-home zoning review fee: 500 USD (Residential new homes.)

  “Driveway Permit | $ 50.00 (For new driveways only) Existing driveways having alterations done still need a permit but there is no charge. [...] New Homes | $500.00”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  New homes, new structures, and enlargements inside Jackson Township.

  • The township office determines any state-building-code inspections after zoning review and provides forms for the named enforcement agency.
  • Remodeling should be checked with the Cambria County Building Codes Agency according to the FAQ.

  “If you are building a new home or structure or enlarging the one you have, you should stop at the Jackson Township Municipal Building to complete a Zoning Permit Application to begin the process. After the Zoning Officer completes his zoning review he returns the application to the Township Office.”

Rules another office applies inside Jackson Township

Jackson Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Building permitRequired

  UCC-regulated construction work inside Jackson Township.

  • Emergency repairs or equipment replacements may be made without a permit if an application is submitted to the building code official within three business days.

  “The UCC requires property owners to obtain a construction or building permit before starting any work.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  UCC-regulated construction inside Jackson Township.

  • The township states that a project may be exempt from the Pennsylvania State Building Code while still requiring a township zoning permit.

  “Jackson Township Ordinance # 129 - Adopting State Construction Code”

• InspectionsLimited

  Specified UCC-regulated construction and system work inside Jackson Township.

  • The state page identifies construction or changes to commercial or residential buildings; electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems; swimming pools or hot tubs; and certain manufactured or industrialized housing work.

  “Inspections are also necessary in several cases, including construction or changes to commercial or residential buildings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems, and the installation of swimming pools or hot tubs.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings or facilities subject to Pennsylvania UCC occupancy requirements inside Jackson Township.

  • The cited state page separately allows emergency repairs or equipment replacements without a permit if an application is submitted within three business days.

  “A UCC certificate of occupancy must be issued before a building or facility can be used.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder work inside Jackson Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Jackson Township.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Jackson Township.
• Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Jackson Township.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Jackson Township.

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.