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

Benton Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Benton Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania.

  “Benton Twp Zoning Ordinance | Zoning and Regulations”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Benton Township.

  • The township describes the linked map as its latest zoning map.

  “The latest zoning map for Benton Township, Columbia County, PA can be downloaded using the link below.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Sewage systems inside Benton Township.

  • The official township page identifies James McDevitt as Sewage Enforcement Officer.

  “For more information on sewage permits please contact our SEO James McDevitt at 570-204-4638.”

• Septic permitRequired

  All new and most replacement sewage systems inside Benton Township.

  • The permit must be submitted and approved before work begins.
  • The township's stated scope excludes some replacement sewage systems.

  “This permit must be submitted and approved prior to commencement of work for all new and most replacement sewage systems.”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Short-term-rental properties inside Benton Township that are not served by central sewer.

  • Applies only to short-term-rental permit approval.
  • The system evaluation must certify that the existing system functions as intended and the tank was pumped within the prior three years.
  • Maximum occupancy is limited to sewage-disposal-system capacity.

  tank pumping lookback: <= 3 years (For a non-central-sewer short-term rental.)

  “If not on a central sewer system, a septic system evaluation certifying the existing system is functioning as intended and proof the tank was pumped within the past three (3) years for approval by the Sewage Enforcement Officer.”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

  Zoning permits for land cultivation and certain farm-related activities inside Benton Township.

  • The exemption does not apply if the activity is proposed in a floodplain area.
  • The stated exemption is limited to zoning permits, not other permits required by law.

  “Zoning permits are not required for the following activities unless proposed in a floodplain area: [...] Land cultivation, including crop or tree farming”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Any subdivision affecting property inside Benton Township.

  • The application must be submitted and approved before a subdivision.
  • The township directs applicants to the Columbia County Planning Commission for subdivision information.

  “This permit must be submitted and approved prior to any subdivision impacting any property within the Township.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Each new temporary or permanent driveway inside Benton Township.

  • The permit must be approved before work begins.

  driveway permit fee: 35 USD

  “A driveway permit must be submitted to any new temporary or permanent driveway. It must be approved prior to commencement of work.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  A dwelling unit or other space rented for overnight lodging for 30 days or less inside Benton Township.

  • A township short-term-rental permit is required before operation.
  • All necessary state and municipal permits, certifications, or requirements are conditions of approval.
  • A separate permit is required for each dwelling unit and is effective for one year; renewal is annual.

  short-term-rental application and inspection fee: 100 USD

  “No owner of any property in Benton Township shall operate a Short-Term Rental in Benton Township without first obtaining a Short-Term Rental Permit from the Zoning Officer.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Township zoning, driveway, and short-term-rental permits.

  • Fees are due at application.
  • No permit or license is issued, and no hearing is scheduled, until the applicable fee is paid.
  • Resolution #03-25 is dated May 6, 2025.

  driveway permit fee: 35 USD · short-term rental application and inspection fee: 100 USD

  “The following fees shall be paid to Benton Township at the time the application is made for the respective permit, license, zoning permit or a hearing before the Township Zoning/Hearing Board or the Township Supervisors.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  New housing construction inside Benton Township.

  • At least zoning, driveway, and sewage forms must be submitted for new housing construction.

  “For all new housing construction at least 3 forms must be submitted: Zoning permit Driveway permit Sewage permit.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Benton Township.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Benton Township.
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Benton Township.
• Inspections — Residential building work inside Benton Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — New or altered dwellings inside Benton 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.