Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Penn Township, Pennsylvania
Penn Township is a township in Centre County, Pennsylvania. Penn Township adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Penn Township’s rules apply, not the county’s. 3 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 31, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Centre County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Penn Township
Penn Township’s own rules
Building code adoptedAdopted
New construction and alterations inside Penn township (Centre County) under the Uniform Construction Code
Under § 201 the township elects to administer and enforce the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, as amended.
Under § 203 administration and enforcement is set by township board resolution: a designated township employee as municipal code official, retained construction code officials or third-party agencies, an intermunicipal agreement, or a contract with another municipality.
The adopted UCC is incorporated 'as amended from time to time'. The code history cites Ord. 70 dated 6/3/2004 for §§ 201-202.
“the uniform construction code, as contained in 34 pa.code, chapters 401–405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code for penn township.”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Penn township (Centre County) limits: the township's adopted code includes its own Chapter 27 Zoning
Source is the code table of contents only. The text of Chapter 27 was not reached, so district rules and dimensional limits are not verified here.
Code cover states it is supplemented through supplement iv, February 7, 2019; later amendments were not checked.
“chapter 27 zoning appendix key to the disposition of all ordinances key to significant resolutions”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision and land development of land inside Penn township (Centre County)
Existence of Chapter 22 'Subdivision and Land Development' is shown in the code table of contents only. The chapter text was not read, so approval thresholds, standards and fees are not verified.
Code cover states supplementation through February 7, 2019.
“chapter 21 streets and sidewalks chapter 22 subdivision and land development chapter 23 swimming pools”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Penn Township or Centre County directly.
Building permit — Building permits for new homes inside Penn township (Centre County)
Inspections — Construction inspections for new homes inside Penn township (Centre County)
Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Penn township (Centre County)
Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district list for land inside Penn township (Centre County)
22 more unanswered
Minimum dwelling size
Minimum lot size
Setbacks
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Who permits septic
Septic permit
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Driveway access
Building in a floodplain
Short-term rentals
Permit fees
Permit process
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.
Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Penn Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Centre County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Penn Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
