Bolthole Index

Fulton County, Pennsylvania

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Licking Creek Township, Pennsylvania

Licking Creek Township in Fulton County, Pennsylvania requires a UCC building permit before covered construction begins.1 The township is an opt-in UCC municipality, while its Sewage Enforcement Officer handles local on-lot sewage administration.23 The township also regulates subdivision and land development.4

At a glance

Building permit
Required before construction covered by Pennsylvania's UCC1
Building office
The state lists Licking Creek Township as an opt-in UCC municipality2
Zoning
County materials identify only McConnellsburg Borough as zoned; confirm parcel rules with the township56
Septic
On-lot sewage permits go through the township's Sewage Enforcement Officer37
Subdivision
The township has a subdivision and land-development ordinance4
RV or tiny home
Occupancy rules could not be confirmed; ask the township and sewage officer68

Who to call

Building permits

Licking Creek Township Building Code Official

UCC building-code administration for opt-in Licking Creek Township

(717) 496-4996

Planning & zoning

Licking Creek Township Municipal Office

Township land-use, subdivision, stormwater, floodplain and municipal questions

(717) 573-2822

966 Forrestdale Road, Harrisonville, PA 17228

Septic permits

Licking Creek Township Sewage Enforcement Officer

On-lot sewage permitting and enforcement inside Licking Creek Township

717-328-5769

PO Box 240, Mercersuburg, PA 17236

Planning & zoning

Fulton County Planning & Mapping Department

County subdivision review, planning, mapping and parcel-orientation questions

717-485-3717

[email protected]

116 West Market Street, Suite 203, McConnellsburg, PA 17233

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Licking Creek Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Licking Creek Township, Pennsylvania?

Yes. Licking Creek Township requires a UCC building permit before construction or building work covered by Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code begins.1 Pennsylvania's statewide UCC applies to building projects in the township.9

Pennsylvania lists Licking Creek Township as an opt-in UCC municipality and provides a phone number for its Building Code Official.2 Call that office before starting work to confirm the correct application, current fee, plan requirements and inspection schedule. Township-specific building-permit fees could not be confirmed.

Covered work requires inspections, including applicable foundation, building-system, framing, wallboard and final inspections.10 A residential building may not be occupied until a building code official issues a certificate of occupancy.11

Does Licking Creek Township have zoning, lot-size or setback rules?

Fulton County planning materials identify McConnellsburg Borough as the county's only municipality with a zoning code, but the official Licking Creek Township page does not explicitly state that the township has no zoning.5 Ask the Township Office to confirm the current zoning status and any parcel-specific limits before relying on an RV, tiny home, accessory dwelling, setback, lot-size, lot-coverage or building-height assumption.6

Licking Creek Township does regulate subdivision and land development under its township ordinance.4 The township page also publishes a land-use permit and stormwater and floodplain ordinances, so the absence of a confirmed zoning ordinance does not eliminate local development review.126

Fulton County Planning Commission reviews and comments on subdivision plans, but municipal approval remains with the township.13 Contact Fulton County Planning & Mapping for county plan-review and mapping questions.14

How do septic permits work inside Licking Creek Township?

Licking Creek Township's Sewage Enforcement Officer is the local contact for on-lot sewage permitting and enforcement.38 Pennsylvania law generally requires a permit before installing, constructing, altering, repairing or connecting to an individual or community sewage system, subject to statutory exceptions.7

Make sewage feasibility an early purchase contingency: only 3.9% of Fulton County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.15 That county-level soil measure does not determine whether a particular Licking Creek Township parcel will pass a site evaluation.

Ask the Sewage Enforcement Officer about testing, system design, application steps, inspections and current fees before fixing the house location.8 We could not confirm a township-specific recurring septic-inspection schedule or whether a proposed off-grid sanitation method would qualify.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Licking Creek Township?

We could not confirm a Licking Creek Township rule that resolves long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, a tiny home on wheels or a manufactured home on a particular parcel. Ask the Township Office how the proposed use is classified and ask the Sewage Enforcement Officer what sewage approval is required before using any unit as living quarters.68

A tiny home that qualifies as a residential building can still require a UCC building permit, inspections and a certificate of occupancy.11011 Approved sewage disposal may also be required.7

Do not treat the lack of a located zoning schedule as occupancy approval. Confirm land-use review, sewage disposal, floodplain status and road access for the specific parcel with the Township Office.6

Building a home in Licking Creek Township: what are the steps?

  1. Call the Licking Creek Township Building Code Official for the correct UCC building-permit application, current fee and plan requirements.2
  1. Contact the Sewage Enforcement Officer before fixing the house location and obtain the required on-lot sewage approval.37
  1. Ask the Township Office whether the proposal needs a land-use permit or triggers subdivision, land-development, stormwater or floodplain review.1246
  1. Resolve access before requesting a county street address; Fulton County requires the driveway access to be marked for address assignment.16 Access connecting to state-highway land requires a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit.17
  1. Obtain the UCC building permit before covered work begins and schedule required inspections as work progresses.110
  1. Obtain the certificate of occupancy before using the completed residential building.11

What should you check before buying land in Licking Creek Township?

Confirm the parcel record, road ownership and whether a split or development proposal requires township approval and county planning review.413 Fulton County Planning & Mapping can help with county maps and review questions.14

Check sewage feasibility before treating a buildable-looking field as a homesite because Fulton County's soil rating is unfavorable for conventional drain fields.15 Ask the Sewage Enforcement Officer about the parcel's testing and permit path.8

For a private well, Pennsylvania's commercial driller licensing and permit rule does not apply to a homeowner drilling on owned or leased land, but we could not confirm a separate Licking Creek Township well rule.18 Ask the Township Office before drilling.6 Floodplain development requires sealed documentation under the UCC, and state-highway access can require a separate PennDOT permit.1917

Watch-outs

  • A land-use permit or subdivision review can apply separately from the UCC building permit.124
  • Only 3.9% of Fulton County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so check sewage feasibility before committing to a homesite.15
  • Long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping and tiny-home-on-wheels rules remain unconfirmed; ask the Township Office and Sewage Enforcement Officer before relying on any of those uses.68
  • Township-specific building and land-use fee schedules could not be confirmed; request current amounts from the Building Code Official and Township Office.26

Sources

  1. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Licking Creek Township Building Code Official (pa.gov)
  3. Licking Creek Township (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Licking Creek Township (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Planning FAQ, quoted and re-checked
  6. Licking Creek Township Municipal Office (co.fulton.pa.us)
  7. Sewage Facilities Act (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Licking Creek Township Sewage Enforcement Officer (co.fulton.pa.us)
  9. Uniform Construction Code (UCC) (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403 (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403 (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Licking Creek Township | Fulton County, PA (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Fulton County Planning Commission Subdivision/Land Development Review Policy, quoted and re-checked
  14. Fulton County Planning & Mapping Department (co.fulton.pa.us)
  15. 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
  16. Planning Services | Fulton County, PA (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit, quoted and re-checked
  18. Apply for a Water Well Drillers License and Rig Permit, quoted and re-checked
  19. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit (Licking Creek Township), quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 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 Licking Creek Township

Licking Creek Township’s own rules

  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    On-lot sewage permitting and enforcement inside Licking Creek township are handled through the township's local sewage-enforcement arrangement; the county's official township page identifies the Sewage Enforcement Officer serving the township.

    • The official Fulton County page identifies JWP Environmental, Inc., Jonathan Piper, as Licking Creek Township's Sewage Enforcement Officer.
    • Pennsylvania DEP states that local agencies are responsible for on-lot sewage permitting and enforcement and employ Sewage Enforcement Officers.
    • DEP provides technical oversight and financial assistance to local agencies.
    • The DEP page notes exceptions for large-volume on-lot systems.
    “Sewage Enforcement Officer JWP Environmental, Inc. Jonathan Piper PO Box 240 Mercersuburg, PA 17236 Phone: 717-328-5769”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Local — On-lot sewage permitting and enforcement inside Licking Creek Township through the township's identified Sewage Enforcement Officer.
      “Sewage Enforcement Officer JWP Environmental, Inc. Jonathan Piper PO Box 240 Mercersuburg, PA 17236 Phone: 717-328-5769”
    • Local (with conditions) — On-lot sewage permitting and enforcement inside Licking Creek township.
      “Sewage Enforcement Officer JWP Environmental, Inc. Jonathan Piper”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Individual and community on-lot sewage systems inside Licking Creek Township.

    • Local-agency permitting has exceptions for large-volume on-lot systems.
    • The applicable local agency and Sewage Enforcement Officer administer the permit process.
    “With certain exceptions (i.e. large volume on-lot systems), local agencies are responsible for issuing permits for retaining tanks or for individual and community on-lot sewage systems which renovate sewage effluent in a soil absorption area or spray field.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside Licking Creek township.

    • The township page publishes a 2011 Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
    • The county plan states that all eleven Fulton County townships have a SALDO and that SALDOs regulate subdivision and development.

    ordinance adoption year: 2011

    “Licking Creek Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance - 2011 (PDF)”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision and land development inside Licking Creek township.
      “Licking Creek Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance - 2011 (PDF)”
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision and land development inside Licking Creek Township.
      “Licking Creek Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance - 2011 (PDF)”
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision and land development within Licking Creek Township.
      “Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance - 2011 (PDF)”
  • Permit processPartial

    Township land-use permitting in Licking Creek Township.

    • The official page publishes a Land Use Permit PDF, but the complete application process and approval standards were not established from the reviewed web material.
    “Plans, Ordinances, and Documents Licking Creek Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance - 2011 (PDF) Licking Creek Township Stormwater Management Ord - January 2011 (PDF) Licking Creek Township Land Use Permit (PDF)”

Rules another office applies inside Licking Creek Township

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

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction and building work inside Licking Creek township, subject to the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.

    • Before beginning construction or building work, the property owner or authorized representative must obtain a UCC building permit.
    • The page states that emergency repairs or equipment replacements may be made without a permit if an application is submitted to the building code official within three business days.
    • Inspections are necessary in several cases, including construction or changes to commercial or residential buildings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems, and installation of swimming pools or hot tubs.
    • Manufactured and industrialized housing projects require inspections for site preparation, foundation construction, repairs, and changes in occupancy.
    • A UCC certificate of occupancy must be issued before a building or facility can be used.
    • The application must indicate the political subdivision and county where the construction will occur; the Department states it will not process applications lacking that information.
    • The page separately states that modular or industrialized construction and shell buildings have distinct application requirements.
    “The UCC requires property owners to obtain a construction or building permit before starting any work. Inspections are also necessary in several cases, including construction or changes to commercial or residential buildings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems, and the installation of swimming pools or hot tubs. Additionally, manufactured and industrialized housing projects require inspections for site preparation, foundation construction, repairs, and changes in occupancy. A UCC certificate of occupancy must be issued before a building or facility can be used. However, emergency repairs or equipment replacements can be made without a permit as long as an application is submitted to the building code official within three business days.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction or building work inside Licking Creek Township.
      “The UCC requires property owners to obtain a construction or building permit before starting any work.”
    • Required — Construction or building work in Licking Creek Township subject to Pennsylvania UCC administration.
      “The UCC requires property owners to obtain a construction or building permit before starting any work. Inspections are also necessary in several cases, including construction or changes to commercial or residential buildings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems, and the installation of swimming pools or hot tubs.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    The Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code applies to building projects inside Licking Creek township.

    • The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry states that more than 90% of municipalities administer and enforce the UCC locally; enforcement arrangements may therefore differ by municipality.
    • The Department states that the revised regulations adopting the 2018 I-Code series have an effective date of February 14, 2022.
    • The Department states that Pennsylvania's UCC triennial update has an effective date of January 1, 2026.
    • The Department states that 2018 accessibility requirements remain enforceable following the 2022 court decision, while enforcement of the 2021 accessibility updates was permanently enjoined.
    “Pennsylvania's statewide building code, generally known as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), has to be followed by builders in the state.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Building construction inside Licking Creek Township is subject to Pennsylvania's statewide Uniform Construction Code.
      “Pennsylvania's statewide building code, generally known as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), has to be followed by builders in the state.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Construction in Licking Creek Township subject to Pennsylvania's statewide UCC.
      “Pennsylvania's statewide building code, generally known as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), has to be followed by builders in the state.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Covered UCC construction in Licking Creek Township.

    • The source identifies inspections as necessary in several cases, including commercial or residential construction or changes, listed building systems, pools or hot tubs, and listed manufactured/industrialized-housing work.
    “Inspections are also necessary in several cases”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction inside Licking Creek township for which a UCC permit is issued.
      “A construction code official shall inspect all construction for which a permit was issued.”
    • Required — Applicable residential, commercial, systems, pool, manufactured-housing, and industrialized-housing work inside Licking Creek Township.
      “Inspections are also necessary in several cases, including construction or changes to commercial or residential buildings, electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems, and the installation of swimming pools or hot tubs.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Residential buildings inside Licking Creek township.

    • A residential building may be occupied only after issuance by a building code official.
    • The official issues it after a final inspection report indicates compliance; the normal deadline is five business days.

    issuance deadline: 5 business days (10 business days in a city of the first class)

    “A residential building may not be used or occupied without a certificate of occupancy issued by a building code official.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Property-addressing requests for land inside Licking Creek Township, Fulton County.

    • This requirement is stated for the County Planning Commission's address-assignment process; it does not establish a separate highway-occupancy permit requirement.
    “The Fulton County Planning Commission provides street addresses for property throughout the county. If you need an address, please call the planning office at 717-485-3717. Please provide the following information: What township the property is located in What street the property is located on Is it part of a subdivision, and if so, name of the subdivision The driveway access must be marked”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Building construction in a flood plain inside Licking Creek Township.

    • Documentation required by Section 1612.5 of the 2018 International Building Code must be prepared and sealed by a registered design professional.
    “When construction will occur in a flood plain, documentation required in Section 1612.5 of the 2018 International Building Code shall be prepared and sealed by a registered design professional.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry UCC permits issued for qualifying work inside Licking Creek township.

    • The fee schedule is for Department of Labor and Industry Buildings Division services and may not be the fee schedule of a local or third-party enforcing agency.
    • The schedule states fees are effective November 8, 2025.
    • New-building standard fee is $414.49 plus $0.84 per square foot of floor area or each fraction of floor area.
    • Expedited and after-hours inspection fees are additional.

    fee effective date: 2025-11-08 · new building standard fee: 414.49 USD (plus $0.84 per square foot of floor area or each fraction of floor area)

    “1. Permit for new buildings and additions Standard fee | $414.49 Plus $0.84 per square foot of floor area or each fraction of floor area”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing or altering buildings inside Licking Creek township.
  • Local zoning — Zoning inside Licking Creek Township.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts inside Licking Creek Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Licking Creek Township.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Licking Creek Township.
14 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Licking Creek Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Fulton County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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