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

Penn Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New buildings, renovations, additions and listed accessory work inside Penn township

  • The township lists projects that need a permit, and says not all projects are listed, so residents should call to check.
  • Building and zoning permits are issued after the office sends applications to the township inspector; work may proceed only after the permit is issued and displayed on site.
  • Township building page says permits are valid for one (1) year from issuance; another township page reportedly gives six months (not opened).

  “new buildings, renovations, additions or installments demolition electrical and plumbing work fences over 6-8 feet sheds, accessory structures”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted work inside Penn township

  • The applicant must schedule the final inspection directly with the inspector.
  • Residential and commercial building/zoning inspector and code enforcement contact is listed on the township page.

  “the applicant must contact the inspector directly to schedule a final inspection”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Penn township's limits, Chester County: Penn township adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance

  • The township's zoning ordinance was amended in 2019; the page also lists later amendments (2022-01 and a swimming pool setback amendment) that were not opened.
  • Zoning permits and the zoning hearing board process apply to land inside the township.

  “click here to view the penn township zoning ordinances – amended 2019”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land inside Penn township's limits: the township's zoning map (amended 2019)

  • The map is linked from the township page; the district list itself was not extracted.

  “click here to view the penn township zoning map – amended 2019”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land subdivision and land development inside Penn township

  • Governed by the township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO); the township also lists a subdivision and land development application and submission guide, not opened.
  • Stormwater management is governed by a separate township ordinance (Ordinance 2022-04).

  “click here to view the subdivision and land development ordinanaces (saldo)”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Permit fees charged by Penn township

  • The fee schedule is adopted by Resolution 2025-10 (updated fee schedule), linked from the township page; the dollar amounts were not extracted.
  • The township says the inspector sets the fee after the application is reviewed (Building and Zoning page).

  “click here to view resolution 2025-10 - updated fee schedule”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building and zoning permit process in Penn township

  • Applications go to the office at 260 Lewis Road, West Grove, PA 19390, which forwards them to the inspector; the applicant is then called to pick up the permit and pay the fee.
  • The permit must be displayed at the work site, and the applicant must schedule the final inspection directly with the inspector.
  • The permit application page (not opened) reportedly gives a different validity period; confirm with the office.
  • The permit requirements fact sheet PDF could not be read.

  “all building and zoning permits must be completed and turned into the office. the office will submit the applications to the inspector for review.”

Rules another office applies inside Penn Township

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

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  On-lot septic and well questions for land inside Penn township: the Chester County Health Department handles them, because the township does not provide sewer

  • The Chester County Health Department (601 Westtown Road, West Chester) is the referral point named by the township, not a township ordinance.
  • Township-wide applicability is inferred from the township's own referral; the CCHD page itself does not name Penn township.

  “questions regarding wells or septic systems should be directed to the chester county health department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New on-lot sewage systems for a new home in Penn township, where no public sewer is used (CCHD administers; the township refers residents to CCHD)

  • Permits are not required if the item to be repaired can be done without the use of digging equipment.
  • A major permit covering a new structure requires soil testing.
  • Construction may proceed only after the permit is issued.
  • Permit fee amounts were not extracted from the CCHD page.

  “a permit is required for new systems, repairs or modifications to existing systems.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption in Penn township
• Building code adopted — Construction code used for new homes in Penn township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes in Penn township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area in Penn township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for the main single-family residential district in Penn 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.