Bolthole Index

Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in the Borough of Trainer, Pennsylvania

Building permits are required inside the Borough of Trainer, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, under the Uniform Construction Code the borough adopted12. Trainer also has its own zoning chapter, and zoning permits run through the borough's code enforcement and zoning officer34. Septic and well permits for Delaware County come from the county Health Department, not the borough56.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; apply to the borough's building official before work starts2
Zoning
Borough-adopted zoning chapter; district rules apply3
Zoning permit fee
$50 residential, $100 commercial, per the borough's code office4
R-1 minimum lot
5,000 square feet per dwelling7
R-1 height
Three stories or 25 feet, whichever is less8
Septic
Delaware County Health Department issues on-lot sewage permits county-wide5
Subdivision
County subdivision and land development regulations apply in the borough9

Who to call

Building permits

Trainer Borough Code Enforcement / Zoning Officer

Building permit and zoning permit applications, conditional use applications, certificates of occupancy and the permit fee schedule for the Borough of Trainer

610-497-3838 x3

Also useful

Trainer Borough Office

General borough information; open Monday through Friday, 8am - 4pm

(610) 497-3838

[email protected]

4300 Township Line Rd. Trainer, PA 19061

Septic permits

Delaware County Health Department, Environmental Health

Permits, inspections and enforcement for on-lot sewage systems, and permits for private wells, in Delaware County

(484) 276-2100

[email protected]

1400 N Providence Road Suite 212, Media, PA 19063

Planning & zoning

Delaware County Planning Department

Advisory subdivision review; does not issue building permits, zoning approvals or septic permits

610-891-5200

[email protected]

2 W. Baltimore Avenue, Suite 202, 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 Trainer means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Trainer, PA, and who issues it?

Yes. The Borough of Trainer adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as its municipal building code1. Anyone who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building, or change its occupancy, must first apply to the building official and obtain the permit2. Some residential and accessory work is exempt under § 80-5 of the borough code, so ask before assuming a small job needs nothing2.

Delaware County does not issue building permits; the county Planning Department sends building permit questions to the municipality's code enforcement officials10. Fees for building-code administration are set by Borough Council resolution11. Trainer's code office also posts a building permit application and a fee schedule on its page4.

Does Trainer have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and height?

Yes. Trainer's Borough Council adopted a zoning chapter, Chapter 265, and uses and construction inside the borough are subject to it3. The borough is divided into zoning districts, and the official zoning map is on file at the borough office12.

Rules differ by district. In the R-1 Single-Family Residence District, every dwelling needs a lot of not less than 5,000 square feet7. Buildings may cover no more than 40% of an R-1 lot13, and R-1 buildings are limited to three stories or 25 feet, whichever is less8. Check your parcel's district on the borough zoning map before you rely on any of these numbers.

Do you need a zoning permit in Trainer, and what does it cost?

Yes, for most visible changes. Trainer's code enforcement page lists zoning permits as required for a new home, an addition, a deck, a new fence, a shed, an in-ground pool, a driveway, a porch enclosure and a new business, and states a cost of $50.00 residential and $100.00 commercial4. A certificate of zoning approval is also required before occupying or changing the use of land or a building that is erected or altered14.

An occupancy inspection by the Building Official is tied to that certificate15. Conditional uses, such as a mobile-home park in R-1, go through a separate conditional use application164.

How do septic permits work in Trainer?

Septic permits for Delaware County, including addresses in Trainer, are handled by the Delaware County Health Department under Pennsylvania Act 53717. A permit is required for new on-lot systems, repairs and modifications, and a permit is valid for 3 years from issuance5. New major permits require soil testing5.

We could not confirm whether the borough's own code adds septic rules or which Trainer properties sit on public sewer, so call the Delaware County Health Department before you buy a lot that is not clearly connected to a sewer17. Across Delaware County only a small share of soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, 3.6%, so expect a site evaluation18.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Trainer?

We could not confirm a borough rule on living in an RV, camping on private land or occupying a tiny home inside Trainer. Call the Trainer code enforcement and zoning officer before parking or building anything intended as a dwelling4.

One rule is clear: Trainer's zoning allows a mobile-home park only where Chapter 265 permits it, and in R-1 that is a conditional use16. That does not by itself permit an individual manufactured home outside a park16.

Building a home in Trainer: the steps, in order

  1. Find your parcel's zoning district on the borough's zoning map and confirm lot size, coverage and height limits12.
  2. Apply for a zoning permit and, if required, conditional use approval through the borough's code enforcement and zoning officer4.
  3. Apply to the Building Official for a Uniform Construction Code building permit before work starts2.
  4. If a subdivision or land development is involved, the Delaware County Subdivision and Land Development Regulations apply in the borough9.
  5. For any on-lot septic or private well, apply to the Delaware County Health Department17.
  6. Obtain the certificate of zoning approval before occupying14.

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

The county decides septic and well permits56. Rules for land outside the borough differ, so see the Delaware County page for those. A driveway onto a state highway needs a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation permit19.

County-level numbers give context: Delaware County's effective property tax rate is 2%20, and the typical home is valued around $373,57521. Ask the borough office about floodplain rules, short-term rentals and accessory dwellings, which we could not confirm.

Watch-outs

  • Trainer's borough office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am - 4pm, so call ahead before visiting about permits22.
  • We could not confirm Trainer's rules on RV living, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, floodplain development or short-term rentals, so ask the code enforcement and zoning officer before you buy4.
  • Delaware County's Planning Department does not issue building permits, zoning approvals or septic permits, so do not start there10.

Sources

  1. Chapter 80: Building Construction - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 80: Building Construction - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 265: Zoning - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  4. Trainer Borough Code Enforcement / Zoning Officer (trainerboro.com)
  5. Sewage and Water, quoted and re-checked
  6. Sewage and Water, quoted and re-checked
  7. Article III: Residence District - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article III: Residence District - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 230: Subdivision and Land Development - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  10. Delaware County Planning Department (delcopa.gov)
  11. Chapter 80: Building Construction - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  12. Article II: General Provisions - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  13. Article III: Residence District - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  14. Article VIII: Administration - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  15. Article VIII: Administration - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 165: Mobile Homes and Mobile Home Parks - Borough of Trainer, PA (Borough of Trainer), quoted and re-checked
  17. Delaware County Health Department, Environmental Health (delcopa.gov)
  18. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Uniform Construction Code Chapter 403, quoted and re-checked
  20. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  22. Trainer Borough Office (trainerboro.com)

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 Trainer

Borough of Trainer’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    An owner or authorized agent undertaking code-regulated building, system, or occupancy work inside Trainer borough.

    • Permit exemptions apply to specified residential and accessory work under § 80-5.
    • Application must be made to the Building Official and the permit obtained before the described work.
    “Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the code, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction regulated inside Trainer borough.

    • The incorporated Uniform Construction Code is amended from time to time.
    “The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 through 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code of the Borough of Trainer, Delaware County.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings or land for which a zoning approval certificate is required inside Trainer borough.

    • The inspection is tied to the certificate of zoning approval process and conformity with Chapter 265.
    “This certificate shall indicate that such building or land has been inspected by the Building Official and that the proposed use is in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy, use, or change in use of land or a building inside Trainer borough where Chapter 265 requires zoning approval.

    • Applies before occupancy, use, or change in use of land, a building, or a portion thereof that is erected or altered.
    • Also applies before changing or expanding a nonconforming use.
    “A certificate of zoning approval shall be required prior to the occupancy, use or change in use of any land, building or portion thereof hereafter erected or altered, and prior to changing or expanding a nonconforming use after the effective date of this chapter.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Trainer borough limits.

    • Chapter 265 was adopted by Borough Council; uses and construction are subject to its zoning controls.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Trainer 9-8-1983 by Ord. No. 530 (Ch. 27 of the 1985 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Trainer borough.

    • The official zoning map, as amended, is on file in the Borough office.
    “For the purpose of this chapter, the Borough of Trainer is hereby divided into five classes of districts which shall be designated as follows:”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured/mobile homes in a mobile-home park inside Trainer borough.

    • A mobile-home park may be located only where Chapter 265 permits it.
    • In the R-1 district, a mobile-home park is a conditional use.
    • This does not establish permission for an individual manufactured home outside a permitted park.
    “Mobile home park which, when granted conditional use, shall be excluded from the bulk and area regulations of this chapter in favor of those set forth in Chapter 165, Mobile Homes and Mobile Home Parks.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Mobile-home parks inside Trainer borough where satisfactory public water supply is available.

    • This claim is limited to mobile-home parks, not all new homes.
    • Private supply requires approval by Pennsylvania DEP or another authority having jurisdiction if satisfactory public supply is unavailable.
    “Where a public water supply system of satisfactory quantity, quality and pressure is available, connection shall be made thereto and its supply shall be used exclusively. Where a satisfactory public water supply system is not available, the development of a private water supply system shall be approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or other authorities having jurisdiction.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building-code administration and enforcement fees inside Trainer borough.

    • Fees are established by Borough Council resolution from time to time.
    “Fees assessable by the Borough of Trainer for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this article and the code shall be established by the Trainer Borough Council by resolution from time to time.”

Rules another office applies inside Borough of Trainer

Borough of Trainer 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 sizeSpecified

    Every dwelling erected or used in the R-1 Single-Family Residence District inside Trainer borough.

    minimum lot area: >= 5000 square feet

    “Lot area. A lot area of not less than 5,000 square feet shall be provided for every dwelling hereafter erected or used in the R-1 District.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lots in the R-1 Single-Family Residence District inside Trainer borough.

    maximum building coverage: <= 40 percent

    “Coverage. Not more than 40% of the area of any lot may be occupied by buildings.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in the R-1 Single-Family Residence District inside Trainer borough.

    • The more restrictive limit of three stories or 25 feet applies.

    maximum height: <= 25 feet (Maximum of three stories, whichever is less.)

    “Height. A maximum of three stories or 25 feet, whichever is less.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside Trainer borough.

    • The County regulations apply in the Borough.
    • Application information and current review fees are on file in Borough offices.
    “[The Delaware County Subdivision and Land Development Regulations apply in the Borough. Information about applications and current review fees is on file in the Borough offices.]”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Trainer borough.
  • Minimum dwelling size — R-1 Single-Family Residence District inside Trainer borough.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term recreational-vehicle occupancy on private land inside Trainer borough.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Trainer borough.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Trainer borough.
9 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Trainer publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Delaware County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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