Bolthole Index

Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania

Prospect Park borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania has its own zoning districts and has adopted the state Uniform Construction Code as its municipal building code12. Delaware County does not issue building permits; the borough does3. A septic tank is allowed only where sanitary sewer is unavailable or impractical, with Board of Health approval4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required under the Uniform Construction Code, administered by the borough23
Zoning
Yes, borough zoning districts (R-2, R-3 and others)15
Certificate of occupancy
Required before occupying or renting6
Septic
Only where sewer is unavailable or impractical; Board of Health approval4
R-2 minimum lot
3,000 square feet per principal building7
R-2 height
35 feet (14 feet for a private garage)8

Who to call

Building permits

Borough of Prospect Park, building permits and code enforcement

Plan examination, building permits and inspections under the borough's adopted Uniform Construction Code

Septic permits

Delaware County Health Department, Environmental Health

County permits for on-lot sewage systems and wells; inside the borough a septic tank also needs Board of Health approval

(484) 276-2100

[email protected]

1400 N Providence Road Suite 212, Media, PA 19063

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Borough of Prospect Park means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Does Prospect Park, PA have zoning?

Yes. Prospect Park borough sets its own zoning, with districts shown on the Borough Zoning Map5. The R-3 district is designated primarily for a mix of high-density residential uses1. Delaware County does not zone for its municipalities; it points residents to municipal officials for current zoning information9.

In the R-2 Residential District, a lot of no less than 3,000 square feet is required for every principal permitted building7. Buildings may cover no more than 30% of the lot and impervious surfaces no more than 40%10. Dwellings and other structures in R-2 are limited to 35 feet, and a private garage to 14 feet8.

We could not confirm the borough's rules on living in an RV, tiny homes, accessory dwelling units or minimum dwelling size. Ask the borough's zoning officer before buying.

Do you need a building permit in Prospect Park, and who issues it?

Building work in Prospect Park falls under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, which the borough adopted as its municipal building code2. State rules require an owner to apply to the building code official and obtain a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing a residential building3. Delaware County's planning department directs building-permit questions to the municipality's code-enforcement officials11.

The borough charges a fee for each plan examination, building permit and inspection, set by Borough Council resolution1211. We could not find current dollar amounts, so ask the borough.

Before anyone occupies or rents a lot, dwelling or building, the borough requires a certificate of occupancy from Borough Council or its designated agent6. State rules separately say a residential building may not be used or occupied without one13.

How do septic permits work in Prospect Park?

Prospect Park expects buildings to connect to the borough sanitary sewer. A septic tank is allowed only for a property that does not abut a street with a sanitary sewer, or where the sewer's grade makes connection impossible or substantially impractical, and only if the Board of Health grants the application414.

The Board of Health grants the application when the applicant is in the permitted class and the tank meets Chapter 136 and is installed in a good and workmanlike manner15. Separately, the Delaware County Health Department issues on-lot sewage system permits under Act 537 and also permits well construction1617. A new major septic permit requires soil testing18.

We could not confirm a borough rule on private wells; call the county health department.

Building a home in Prospect Park: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and its lot, coverage and height limits with the borough5.
  2. Check whether the lot can reach the sanitary sewer; a septic tank needs Board of Health approval4.
  3. Apply to the borough's building code official for a Uniform Construction Code building permit and pay the plan-examination fee312.
  4. Have required inspections done: foundation; plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems; frame and masonry; wallboard; and final19.
  5. Obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving in or renting6.

What stays with Delaware County, and what to check before you buy

Septic and well permits come from the Delaware County Health Department, and subdivision plans go through county Planning Commission review before the borough's approval1720. Construction in a flood plain needs documentation sealed by a registered design professional21. A driveway onto a state highway needs a PennDOT highway occupancy permit22.

These figures are for Delaware County as a whole: its effective property tax rate is 2%23 and its median property tax bill is $6,001 a year24. For land outside the borough, see the Delaware County page.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm the borough's rules on RV living, tiny homes, accessory dwelling units, short-term rentals or floodplain permits; call the borough before relying on any of them1.
  • Zoning limits above are for the R-2 district only; other districts differ, so check the Borough Zoning Map for the specific lot5.

Sources

  1. Article VI: R-3 Residential District - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 67: Construction Codes, Uniform - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  3. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 136: Sewage Disposal Systems, Individual - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 70: Development - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 65: Certificate of Occupancy - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article V: R-2 Residential District - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article V: R-2 Residential District - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  9. delcopa.gov, quoted and re-checked
  10. Article V: R-2 Residential District - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  11. Borough of Prospect Park, building permits and code enforcement (ecode360.com)
  12. Chapter 60: Building Construction - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  13. Uniform Construction Code Chapter 403, quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter 136: Sewage Disposal Systems, Individual - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter 136: Sewage Disposal Systems, Individual - Borough of Prospect Park, PA (Borough of Prospect Park), quoted and re-checked
  16. Sewage and Water, quoted and re-checked
  17. Delaware County Health Department, Environmental Health (delcopa.gov)
  18. Permits for On-Lot Sewage Disposal Systems, quoted and re-checked
  19. Uniform Construction Code Chapter 403, quoted and re-checked
  20. Development Review, quoted and re-checked
  21. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  22. Uniform Construction Code Chapter 403, quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Borough of Prospect Park

Borough of Prospect Park’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings and structures inside Prospect Park borough.

    • The incorporated UCC is amended from time to time.
    “The Uniform Construction Code, 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 of the Borough of Prospect Park.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Certificate-of-occupancy applications and property transfers inside Prospect Park borough.

    • The municipal inspection outcome determines whether a regular certificate, temporary occupancy certificate, or temporary access certificate is issued.
    “If the municipal inspection reveals no violations a certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the municipality;”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy, leasing, or rental of covered lots, dwellings, units, buildings, offices, businesses, and storage units inside Prospect Park borough.

    • Pennsylvania-law exceptions apply.
    • The applicant must apply to the Borough Council or its designated agent before occupancy.
    • Fees are due as established by Borough Council resolution.
    “Commencing upon the effective date of this chapter, no person, firm or corporation, unless otherwise excepted by Pennsylvania law, shall occupy any lot or portion of any lot, dwelling, dwelling unit, building, building unit, office or business or storage unit in the Borough of Prospect Park, and no person, firm or corporation owning any dwelling, dwelling unit, lot, building, building unit, office or storage unit shall lease, rent or allow such dwelling, dwelling unit, lot or any portion of such lot, building, building unit, office, business or storage unit to be occupied by another without each first making application to and obtaining from the Borough Council or its designated agent a certificate of occupancy for such dwelling, dwelling unit, lot or portion of lot, building, building unit, office, business or storage unit.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Prospect Park borough.

    • Zoning controls are district-specific and are subject to the ordinance's floodplain provisions where applicable.
    “Zoning District R-3 is designated primarily for a mix of high-density residential uses.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Prospect Park borough.

    • District boundaries are governed by the Borough Zoning Map.
    “Article III Classification of Districts § 70-7 General provisions. § 70-8 Districts; Zoning Map. § 70-9 District boundaries.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Individual sewage disposal inside Prospect Park borough.

    • A septic tank is available only where the parcel does not abut a street with sanitary sewer, or sewer connection is impossible or substantially impractical because of grade.
    • Board of Health permission and compliance with Chapter 136 are required.
    “Wherever in the Borough of Prospect Park water and other waste matter, as described in § 136-1 hereof, are discharged from a building, lot or other form of property which does not abut upon a street in which there is a sanitary sewer installed, or whenever such matter is discharged from a building, lot or other form of property which does abut upon a street in which there is a sanitary sewer installed, but such sanitary sewer is at a grade rendering connection therewith impossible or substantially impractical, then such water and other waste matter may be discharged into a septic tank, provided that the owner or occupant of such premises makes application to the Board of Health for leave to connect the septic tank in lieu of connection to a sanitary sewer, and provided such application is granted by the Board of Health.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    A proposed septic tank inside Prospect Park borough.

    • The applicant must be in the class permitted to install a septic tank.
    • The tank must comply with Chapter 136 and be installed in a good and workmanlike manner according to customary plumbing-trade practices.
    “The Board of Health shall grant such application whenever the applicant is within the class of persons permitted by this section to install a septic tank, and upon condition that the septic tank installed is in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and is installed in a good and workmanlike manner in accordance with the customary practices of the plumbing trade.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Use of a septic tank instead of Borough sanitary sewer inside Prospect Park borough.

    • Only for parcels without an abutting sanitary-sewer street or where grade makes connection impossible or substantially impractical.
    • Board of Health application and approval are required.
    “Wherever in the Borough of Prospect Park water and other waste matter, as described in § 136-1 hereof, are discharged from a building, lot or other form of property which does not abut upon a street in which there is a sanitary sewer installed, or whenever such matter is discharged from a building, lot or other form of property which does abut upon a street in which there is a sanitary sewer installed, but such sanitary sewer is at a grade rendering connection therewith impossible or substantially impractical, then such water and other waste matter may be discharged into a septic tank, provided that the owner or occupant of such premises makes application to the Board of Health for leave to connect the septic tank in lieu of connection to a sanitary sewer, and provided such application is granted by the Board of Health.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Wastewater from plumbing facilities inside Prospect Park borough.

    • A septic tank may be used only under the sewer-unavailable or impractical-grade conditions and with Board of Health approval.
    “All waste matter and water discharged from any toilet, sink, basin or tub or any other plumbing facilities or equipment of any character whatsoever shall hereafter be discharged only into a sanitary sewer connected with a Borough sewer or into a septic tank installed in the manner hereinafter provided.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Plan examinations, building permits, and inspections inside Prospect Park borough.

    • Fees are established by Borough Council resolution from time to time.
    • The opened code did not provide current dollar amounts.
    “Fee schedules: A fee for each plan examination, building permit and inspection shall be paid in accordance with the existing fee provisions as established by the Council of the Borough of Prospect Park by Resolution from time to time in accordance with Ordinance No. 1147 adopted December 7, 1993.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Certificate-of-occupancy applications inside Prospect Park borough.

    • The application may be a single application signed by owner and proposed occupier when they differ.
    • The Borough may require additional information.
    “The application, which may be in the form of a single application signed by both the owner and proposed occupier, if the owner and proposed occupier are different persons, firms or corporations, shall set forth the names of the owner, the tenant or other proposed occupier, the address of the lot or building which it is proposed to occupy, a description of the premises or portion of the premises to be occupied and such other information as the Borough of Prospect Park may from time to time require.”

Rules another office applies inside Borough of Prospect Park

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

  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family semidetached dwellings and duplexes in the R-2 Residential District inside Prospect Park borough.

    minimum lot area: >= 3000 square feet (per principal permitted building)

    “A lot area of no less than 3,000 square feet shall be provided for every principal permitted building erected or used for any permitted use.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family semidetached dwellings and duplexes in the R-2 Residential District inside Prospect Park borough.

    maximum building coverage: <= 30 percent of lot area · maximum impervious coverage: <= 40 percent of lot area

    “Building coverage and impervious surface. Not more than 30% of any lot area shall be occupied by buildings and not more than 40% of any lot area shall be covered by impervious surfaces.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Dwellings and structures in the R-2 Residential District inside Prospect Park borough.

    • Private garages have a separate 14-foot maximum.
    • Height is measured using the average of lowest and highest grade at the foundation.

    maximum dwelling or structure height: <= 35 feet (private garage)

    “The maximum height of dwellings and other structures erected, enlarged or used shall be 35 feet, except for a private garage, the maximum shall be 14 feet. Measurement is taken from the lowest and highest grade at the foundation and these figures divided by two to create an average, and the height is determined from the average.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Borough of Prospect Park or Delaware County directly.

  • Building permit — New residential construction inside Prospect Park borough.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Prospect Park borough.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings in the R-2 Residential District inside Prospect Park borough.
  • Living in an RV — Residential occupancy of a recreational vehicle on private land inside Prospect Park borough.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Prospect Park borough.
9 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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 Borough of Prospect Park publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Delaware County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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