Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Lawrence Park Township, Pennsylvania

Lawrence Park Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Residential construction inside Lawrence Park township

  • UCC permits are issued by BIU; a township zoning permit, if required, must be obtained before the UCC application.
  • Some small projects need only a zoning permit or neither.

  “the uniform construction code (ucc) requires inspection and permits for the construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition or the change of occupancy of a residential building.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  UCC enforcement inside Lawrence Park township

  • Statewide Act 45 UCC applies to all municipalities; township elected to enforce it, jointly with Harborcreek, Millcreek and Fairview townships through Building Inspection Underwriters (BIU).

  “the board of commissioners deliberated the pros and cons of enforcing the ucc and approved enforcing the code.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Residential UCC-permitted construction inside Lawrence Park township

  • Inspections must be called in at least 24 hours in advance.
  • Which inspections apply depends on the project; check with BIU.

  “residential inspections are required for: building inspections: footing/foundation, frame, insulation, drywall, final”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  UCC-permitted projects inside Lawrence Park township

  • Issued after final inspections are approved and all prior approvals satisfied.

  “step 10 - the zoning administrator will issue the certificate of occupancy if all prior approvals have been satisfied.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Lawrence Park township, Erie County, PA

  • Zoning ordinance text and district map were not opened.

  “the township zoning codes regulates setback requirements, building heights, etc., and requires permits for certain projects.”

• Shed and accessory-building permit exemptionConditional

  Small accessory structures at detached one-family dwellings inside Lawrence Park township; exempt from UCC permit only, still need a township zoning permit

  • Under 1000 square feet and no electrical, mechanical, plumbing or gas systems requiring UCC inspection.
  • Zoning permit still required (accessory structures fee $50).
  • Structures under 20 sq ft or 80 cubic feet (dog houses etc.) need no zoning or UCC permit.

  “sheds, carports or detached garages less than 1000 square feet and that do not have electrical, mechanical, plumbing or natural gas systems requiring a ucc inspection, and are accessory to a detached one-family dwelling”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development inside Lawrence Park township

  • Details of the subdivision ordinance not opened.

  “the township still oversees and issues zoning permits, regulations for subdivision and land development, stormwater management, street cut permits and sewer hook-up.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Driveways inside Lawrence Park township

  • Driveways at grade need no zoning or UCC permit; a township street cut permit is needed if cutting curb or street.
  • State highway driveway permits (PennDOT) not researched.

  “sidewalks or driveways at grade (if you are cutting the curb or street a street cut permit is required by the township)”

• Permit feesPublished

  Zoning and UCC permit fees inside Lawrence Park township

  • UCC fees are BIU's per exhibit B of its contract; township adds 10% surcharge on UCC permits when township permit or review also required.
  • Page undated for fee schedule.

  residential dwelling unit zoning permit: 300 USD · additions/accessory structures zoning permit: 50 USD · residential single family UCC building inspection: per 0.15 USD per sq ft

  “zoning permits residential: dwelling units: $ 300.00 additions, accessory structures: $ 50.00”

• Permit processPublished

  Zoning and UCC permits inside Lawrence Park township

  • Zoning permit first, then UCC application with two sets of plans and workers' compensation form.
  • Inspections requested 24 hours ahead.

  “step 1 - visit or call the zoning administrator at the lawrence park township building to see what, if any, approvals or permits are required before construction can begin.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Lawrence Park township
• Zoning districts — Inside Lawrence Park township
• Minimum dwelling size — Inside Lawrence Park township
• Minimum lot size — Inside Lawrence Park township
• Setbacks — Inside Lawrence Park 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.