Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Covington Township, Pennsylvania
Covington Township is a township in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Covington Township adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Covington Township’s rules apply, not the county’s. 5 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on November 8, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Lackawanna County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Covington Township
Covington Township’s own rules
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
The township's official forms page identifies a Zoning Office and publishes the Covington Township Zoning Ordinance.
“Zoning Office 20 Moffat Drive, Covington Township, PA 18444 Covington Township Zoning Ordinance”
Zoning districtsPartial
Zoning districts inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
The township publishes a zoning ordinance and zoning map, but district names and controlling map version were not extracted from the linked documents.
Subdivision and land development inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
The township publishes a Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) through its Planning Commission; the operative standards and exceptions were not extracted from the large PDF.
“Planning Commission Covington Twp. Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) 2015-03”
Permit feesPublished (with conditions)
Township building-permit materials for land inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
The official document index publishes a Schedule of Fees, but the fee amounts and effective date were not extractable from the linked document.
“Building Inspector Schedule of Fees 1 MB”
Permit processPartial
Township building-permit materials for land inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
The official index publishes building permit application requirements and a construction-permits document, but the operative application process was not extractable from the linked PDF.
“Building Permit Application Requirements 62 kB Required Construction Permits-4-14-23 2 MB Building Permit Application 601 kB”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Covington Township or Lackawanna County directly.
Building permit — Residential construction inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
Building code adopted — Buildings inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
Inspections — Building work inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
Certificate of occupancy — New or altered occupancy inside Covington Township, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
21 more unanswered
Minimum dwelling size
Minimum lot size
Setbacks
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Who permits septic
Septic permit
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Shed and accessory-building permit exemption
Driveway access
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 Covington Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Lackawanna County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Covington Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
