Bolthole Index

Fulton County, Pennsylvania

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Wells Township, Pennsylvania

Wells Township in Fulton County, Pennsylvania requires a UCC building permit before covered construction begins, although the township has no local zoning.12 The township is an opt-in UCC municipality, while its Sewage Enforcement Officer handles local on-lot sewage administration.34

At a glance

Building permit
Required before work covered by Pennsylvania's UCC1
Zoning
No local zoning in Wells Township2
Septic
On-lot sewage permits go through the township Sewage Enforcement Officer45
Subdivision
Wells Township has a subdivision and land-development ordinance6
RV or tiny home
Private-land occupancy rules could not be confirmed; ask the township and sewage officer24
Floodplain
Township floodplain rules and UCC documentation requirements can apply78
Private well
No Wells Township-specific permit rule confirmed; ask the township before drilling9

Who to call

Building permits

Wells Township Building Code Official

UCC building-code administration for opt-in Wells Township

(717) 496-4996

Planning & zoning

Wells Township Municipal Office

Township subdivision, floodplain, stormwater, ordinance and municipal questions

814-330-5593

P.O. Box 34, 891 Enid Road, Wells Tannery, PA 16691

Septic permits

Wells Township Sewage Enforcement Officer — JWP Environmental, Inc.

On-lot sewage permitting and enforcement inside Wells Township

717-328-5769

9885 Reeder Rd., P.O. Box 240, Mercersburg, 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 Wells 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 Wells Township, Pennsylvania?

Yes. Wells Township requires a UCC building permit before construction or building work covered by Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code begins.1 Pennsylvania's current municipal contact list identifies Fulton County's Wells Township as an opt-in municipality and provides a phone number for its Building Code Official.3

Call the Building Code Official before work begins to confirm the application, fee, construction documents and inspection sequence for the project.3 Permitted work must remain accessible for required inspections, including foundation, building-system, framing, wallboard and final inspections.10 A covered residential building cannot be used or occupied until a building code official issues a certificate of occupancy.11

Who issues building permits in Wells Township?

Wells Township is listed as an opt-in UCC municipality, and Pennsylvania's municipal contact list supplies its Building Code Official's phone number.3 That office is the first call for the UCC building-permit application, plan review, building inspections and certificate of occupancy.3

Keep building-code review separate from land-development review. Wells Township has a subdivision and land-development ordinance, and Fulton County's Planning Commission reviews and comments on subdivision plans while municipal approval remains with the municipality.612 Fulton County Planning & Mapping can answer county-review and mapping questions, while the Wells Township Municipal Office is the contact for township ordinance questions.1314 Current Wells Township building and land-development fees could not be confirmed, so request the applicable schedules before filing.314

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

Wells Township has no local zoning; Fulton County's planning material identifies McConnellsburg Borough as the county's only municipality with a zoning code.2 The absence of zoning does not establish that every parcel or project is unrestricted.

Wells Township still has a subdivision and land-development ordinance, a floodplain ordinance and stormwater rules.6714 The available material does not establish a general township-wide minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size or setback schedule, so ask the Township Municipal Office how the subdivision ordinance applies to the parcel and proposal.14 Development in a flood hazard area also requires UCC application documentation describing the flood area, floodway, flood zone and design elevation as applicable.8

How do septic permits work inside Wells Township?

Wells Township's Sewage Enforcement Officer is the local contact for on-lot sewage permitting and enforcement.415 Pennsylvania generally requires a permit from the local agency before installing, constructing, altering, repairing or connecting an individual or community on-lot sewage system, or occupying a building that will use one.5

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.16 That county-level measure does not decide whether a particular Wells Township parcel will pass a site evaluation. Ask the Sewage Enforcement Officer about soil testing, system design, the permit application, inspections and current fees before fixing a house site.15 Pennsylvania also provides a narrow conditional exemption for certain qualifying family residential systems on tracts of at least 10 acres, but local requirements can still defeat that exemption.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Wells Township?

We could not confirm a Wells Township rule that resolves long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy or a minimum dwelling size. The absence of local zoning does not by itself approve residential occupancy.2 Ask the Township Municipal Office how the proposed use is classified and ask the Sewage Enforcement Officer what sewage approval is required before using an RV or tiny home as living quarters.1415

A tiny home that qualifies as a residential building can still require a UCC building permit, inspections and a certificate of occupancy.11011 Alternative sanitation is not generally unrestricted; Pennsylvania's limited permit exception for certain conservation toilets applies only where the existing on-lot system will not be altered.18

Building a home in Wells Township: what are the steps?

  1. Call Wells Township's Building Code Official for the UCC building-permit application, current fee and plan requirements.3
  1. Contact the Sewage Enforcement Officer before fixing the house location, and confirm the parcel's testing, on-lot sewage permit and inspection requirements.415
  1. Ask the Township Municipal Office whether the proposal triggers subdivision, land-development, stormwater or floodplain review.6714
  1. Identify who owns the road; access to a Commonwealth highway requires a PennDOT highway-occupancy permit, while a Wells Township road standard could not be confirmed.19
  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 covered residence.11

What should you check before buying land in Wells Township?

Confirm the recorded parcel, road ownership and whether a split or development proposal requires Wells Township approval and Fulton County planning review.612 Fulton County Planning & Mapping can help with county maps and review questions.13

Check sewage feasibility before relying on a proposed homesite because Fulton County's soil rating is unfavorable for conventional drain fields.16 Ask the Sewage Enforcement Officer to explain the parcel-level testing and approval path.15 Ask the Township Municipal Office about floodplain and stormwater review, and verify state-highway access with PennDOT where applicable.71914 No Wells Township-specific private-well permit or public-utility connection rule was confirmed, so ask the township before drilling or finalizing a utility plan.14

Watch-outs

  • No Wells Township zoning does not mean no approvals: UCC building permits, sewage permits, subdivision review and floodplain rules still apply.21567
  • 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.16
  • Long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy and a township minimum dwelling size remain unconfirmed; ask the Township Municipal Office and Sewage Enforcement Officer before relying on those uses.1415
  • A driveway connecting to a Commonwealth highway needs a PennDOT highway-occupancy permit, but a separate Wells Township road-access rule was not confirmed.19

Sources

  1. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Fulton County Act 167 Plan - June 2010, quoted and re-checked
  3. Wells Township Building Code Official (pa.gov)
  4. Wells Township (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. 25 Pa. Code Subchapter B. Permit Requirements (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Fulton County Phase II Act 167 County-Wide Stormwater Management Plan (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Wells Township (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Uniform Construction Code Chapter 403 (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Apply for a Water Well Drillers License and Rig Permit, quoted and re-checked
  10. Uniform Construction Code Chapter 403 (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Uniform Construction Code Chapter 403 (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Fulton County Planning Commission Subdivision/Land Development Review Policy, quoted and re-checked
  13. Fulton County Planning & Mapping Department (co.fulton.pa.us)
  14. Wells Township Municipal Office (co.fulton.pa.us)
  15. Wells Township Sewage Enforcement Officer — JWP Environmental, Inc. (co.fulton.pa.us)
  16. 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
  17. Sewage Facilities Act (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. 25 Pa. Code Subchapter B. Permit Requirements (Wells Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403 (Wells 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 Wells Township

Wells Township’s own rules

  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    On-lot sewage permitting and enforcement inside Wells Township.

    • Fulton County's official Wells Township page identifies Jonathan Piper of JWP Environmental, Inc. as the township's Sewage Enforcement Officer.
    • Pennsylvania DEP describes local agencies as municipalities or joint local agencies and states that they perform on-lot permitting and enforcement.
    “Local Agencies are responsible for carrying out [...] permitting and enforcement activities.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Local — On-lot sewage permitting and enforcement inside Wells Township.
      “Sewage Enforcement Officer Jonathan Piper JWP Environmental, Inc.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Retaining tanks and individual or community on-lot sewage systems inside Wells Township.

    • The local agency is responsible for issuing permits, subject to the large-volume on-lot-system exception stated by DEP.
    • The township page identifies a Sewage Enforcement Officer for Wells Township.
    “local agencies are responsible for issuing permits for retaining tanks”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside Wells Township.

    • The Fulton County plan states all eleven townships had SALDOs and identifies Wells Township's SALDO as adopted in 1979.
    • The Wells Township municipal page links the Wells SALDO-1979 document.

    SALDO adoption year: 1979 year

    “Fulton County is made up of thirteen municipalities: eleven (11) townships and two (2) boroughs. Of those municipalities, all eleven (11) townships have a SALDO in place. The SALDOs vary in date of adoption from the early 1970s to as recently as 2007.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in floodplain areas inside Wells Township.

    • The official county matrix identifies FEMA FIRM boundaries and regulations in the building permit ordinance, Section 4.01.B.
    • The official Wells Township page separately lists a Wells Township Floodplain Ordinance dated February 2011.
    • Where construction occurs in a floodplain, Pennsylvania's UCC page requires documentation under 2018 IBC Section 1612.5 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development in floodplain areas inside Wells Township.
      “Wells Township Floodplain Ordinance - February 2011 (PDF)”

Rules another office applies inside Wells Township

Wells 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 Wells Township.

    • A permit is not required for listed exceptions, including fences no more than 6 feet high, certain retaining walls, certain tanks, certain sidewalks and driveways, shallow prefabricated pools, playground equipment, limited awnings, low decks, communications wiring, ordinary repairs, and public-service equipment.
    • Emergency repairs or equipment replacements may proceed without a permit if an application is submitted to the building code official within three business days.
    “An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a residential building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit under § 403.62a (relating to permit application).”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Wells Township is subject to Pennsylvania's statewide Uniform Construction Code, with enforcement by the applicable local or third-party code authority.

    • Pennsylvania states that municipalities may administer and enforce the UCC locally or use certified third-party agencies.
    • The 2018 I-Code revisions had an effective date of February 14, 2022.
    • Pennsylvania's 2025 triennial UCC update has an effective date of January 1, 2026.

    2018 I-Code revisions effective date: 2022-02-14 (Earlier signed design or construction contracts may qualify for the prior code if the application was made by the stated deadline.) · 2025 UCC triennial update effective date: 2026-01-01

    “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) — Construction inside Wells 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 inside Wells Township subject to Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code.
      “Construction projects must meet the requirements of 34 PA Code Chapters 401-405 and the technical standards found in the following codes that are referenced in this regulation: International Building Code 2018 [...] International Residential Code 2018”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction inside Wells Township for which a UCC permit is issued.

    • Required inspection categories include foundation; plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems; frame and masonry; wallboard; and final inspection.
    • The construction must be accessible for inspection.
    “A construction code official shall inspect all construction for which a permit was issued. The permit holder shall insure that the construction is accessible for inspection.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction and building work inside Wells Township subject to the Pennsylvania UCC.
      “Inspections are also necessary in several cases”
    • Required — Permitted construction inside Wells Township.
      “A construction code official shall inspect all construction for which a permit was issued. The permit holder shall insure that the construction is accessible for inspection.”
    • Required — Permitted construction inside Wells Township.
      “A construction code official shall inspect all construction for which a permit was issued.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Residential buildings inside Wells Township.

    • A final inspection report indicating UCC compliance is required.
    • The certificate must include the permit number and address, owner information, covered portion, inspection statement, official, code edition, sprinkler information if applicable, and special stipulations.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued for a safely occupiable portion.

    ordinary issuance deadline after final inspection report: 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    On-lot sewage systems installed inside Wells Township.

    • The system must be inspected, approved, and covered before the structure is occupied.
    • The applicant must notify the local agency when installation is complete and ready for inspection.
    • After 72 hours, excluding Sundays and holidays, the applicant may cover the system unless final written approval to cover has been refused.

    post-notification waiting period: 72 hours (Sundays and holidays excluded)

    “The sewage system shall be inspected, approved and covered before the structure is occupied by a person.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — On-lot sewage systems inside Wells Township.
      “No system or structure designed to provide individual or community sewage disposal shall be covered from view until approval to cover the same has been given by the body which issued the original permit or its authorized representative.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    On-lot or other non-public sewage disposal inside Wells Township.

    • On-lot systems are regulated through the local agency and Sewage Enforcement Officer.
    • Installation, construction, alteration, repair, connection, or related occupancy generally requires an Act 537 permit, subject to statutory exemptions.
    “Local Agencies are responsible for carrying out on-lot or onsite ("septic system") sewage treatment system permitting and enforcement activities.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Off-grid or alternative sanitation systems inside Wells Township.
      “A permit is not required for the installation of a recycling toilet, incinerating toilet, composting toilet or other type of water conservation device where the existing onlot system will not be altered.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Property inside Wells Township requiring access to a Commonwealth highway.

    • The building permit must contain notice that a PennDOT highway-occupancy permit is required before driveway access to a Commonwealth highway is permitted.
    • The rule is limited to highways under the Department of Transportation's jurisdiction.
    “A building code official may not issue a permit for any property requiring access to a highway under the Department of Transportation’s jurisdiction unless the permit contains notice that a highway occupancy permit is required under section 420 of the State Highway Law (36 P. S. § 670-420) before driveway access to a Commonwealth highway is permitted.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Driveway access to Commonwealth highways for construction inside Wells Township.
      “a highway occupancy permit is required [...] before driveway access to a Commonwealth highway is permitted.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry UCC permits issued for work inside Wells Township; local or third-party agency fees may differ and were not located.

    • Fee schedule effective November 8, 2025.
    • Standard new-building/addition fee is $414.49 plus $0.84 per square foot.
    • Expedited permits are $1,705.75 plus $0.84 per square foot and $206.60 per hour for inspections outside normal business hours.
    • The schedule also lists alterations, demolition, annual permits, plan revisions, phased approval, in-home day care, document copies, and duplicate certificates of occupancy.

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

    “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”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    UCC permit applications for construction inside Wells Township.

    • Applications go to the building code official with construction documents, plans, specifications, and other required approvals.
    • Flood-hazard-area applications require flood-area, floodway, elevation, and FEMA map information.
    • A building code official generally has 15 business days to grant or deny; 5 business days applies when the required licensed design-professional certification is included.
    • The permit becomes invalid if work does not begin within 180 days, may be extended for just cause, and may be valid no more than five years.

    ordinary decision deadline: 15 business days (5 business days with licensed design-professional certification) · work commencement deadline: 180 days (written extension may be granted for just cause) · maximum permit validity: <= 5 years

    “Applications for a permit required under § 403.62 (relating to permit requirements and exemptions) shall be submitted to the building code official in accordance with this section.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Construction and building work inside Wells Township, subject to Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code and the applicable local or state building-code official.
      “The UCC requires property owners to obtain a construction or building permit before starting any work.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Wells Township.
  • Well permit — Private well construction inside Wells Township.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — New residential construction inside Wells Township and connection to public water or sewer when available.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural construction or land-development exemption inside Wells Township.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use inside Wells 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Wells 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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