Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania

Smithfield Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Any construction or development anywhere within Smithfield Township.

  • A permit must be obtained from the Floodplain Administrator before construction or development.
  • Other applicable government permits must be obtained before issuance.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere within the Township of Smithfield unless a permit has been obtained from the Floodplain Administrator.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction or development performed under a Smithfield Township floodplain development permit.

  • The Floodplain Administrator or authorized official determines the number of inspections necessary during and at completion of the work.

  “During the construction period, the Floodplain Administrator or other authorized official shall inspect the premises to determine that the work is progressing in compliance with the information provided on the permit application and with all applicable municipal laws and ordinances.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land within Smithfield Township, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.

  • Land use is regulated under the Township Zoning Ordinance.

  “Township Zoning Ordinance Zoning “is the means by which a municipality regulates the use of land and structures and the extent and character of development.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  On-lot sewage facilities in Smithfield Township.

  • The Township identifies Musser Sewer & Septic as its Sewage Enforcement Officer.

  “Musser Sewer & Septic, the Township’s Sewage Enforcement Officer, can be reached at (814) 667-2298.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development in Smithfield Township.

  • The Township publishes a Joint Subdivision/Land Development Application with Huntingdon County.

  “Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Dwellings erected or altered in Smithfield Township.

  • Required open-space access is at least 20 feet wide and must extend to a public street or highway or a qualifying private street or highway.

  minimum access width: >= 20 feet

  “No dwelling shall hereafter be erected or altered unless there is direct access to it through an open space on the same lot. Such open space shall be at least 20 feet wide and shall extend to the public street or highway or to a private street or highway having a cartway so constructed and maintained that vehicles of all kinds may readily pass over it at all seasons of the year.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Construction or development anywhere within Smithfield Township, including identified floodplain areas.

  • Floodplain Administrator issues a permit only after determining conformance with the chapter and other applicable codes and ordinances.
  • Before issuance, other required state and federal permits must be obtained.

  “A permit shall be required before any construction or development is undertaken within any area of the Township of Smithfield.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Township permits and related land-development services.

  • Fee schedule is Resolution #2025-1.
  • Some sewer connection and pavement-replacement fees are actual cost.

  road occupancy permit application fee: 150 USD · road inspection and report fee: 250 USD

  “ROAD OCCUPANCY PERMIT: 1. Application fee $150.00 2. Road Inspection and Report $250.00”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Township construction and development applications.

  • Published materials include joint subdivision/land-development, building, demolition, sewage, sign, well-drilling, and variance applications.

  “Joint Subdivision/Land Development Application (with Huntingdon County) Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. – CEO Checklist Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. Permit Application Municipal Prior Approvals”

Rules another office applies inside Smithfield Township

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

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Lots in the R Residential District.

  maximum lot coverage for all buildings: <= 30 percent

  “Lot Coverage. Maximum lot coverage for all buildings: 30%.”

• Building heightSpecified

  One-family and two-family structures in the R Residential District.

  • See § 27-508.

  maximum height: <= 35 feet (Three stories maximum)

  “Maximum height of one-family detached and two-family structures: three stories or 35 feet. See § 27-508.”

• Living in an RVAllowed (with conditions)

  Recreation vehicles and recreation-vehicle parks in the RC Residential Conservation District of Smithfield Township.

  • Recreation-vehicle parks are subject to § 27-516 safeguards and approvals.

  “Recreation vehicles and recreation vehicle parks. (See § 27-516.)”

• Camping on your landAllowed (with conditions)

  Camps and camping areas in the RC Residential Conservation District of Smithfield Township.

  • Use is limited to the RC district provision cited.

  “Lodges, vacation homes, camps and camping areas.”

• Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

  Permanent independent mobile homes in the R Residential District of Smithfield Township.

  • Permitted only as a special exception by the Zoning Hearing Board.
  • The mobile-home controls in § 27-512 apply.

  “Mobile homes as a permanent independent dwelling unit. See § 27-512.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction in Smithfield Township.
• Building code adopted — Building construction in Smithfield Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Structures in Smithfield Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings in Smithfield Township.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Smithfield 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.