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

Lowhill Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Alterations, additions, electrical, plumbing, change of use or occupancy, and most accessory structures inside Lowhill township

  • Permits must be secured before work starts, and must be secured by the individual doing the work (including contractors, electricians and plumbers).
  • Permit issuance may take 15 to 30 business days depending on the extent of work and application volume.
  • Shed up to 500 sq ft: zoning permit only; shed over 500 sq ft: building permit.
  • Retaining walls under four feet need no zoning permit unless they support a surcharge or create a sight hazard, in which case a building permit is required.
  • Simple re-shingling does not require a permit; replacing windows (except bedroom egress windows) and siding do not require a permit.
  • Application goes to the township zoning office; inspections and plan review are by the township's contracted third-party agency.

  processing time: 15 to 30 business days (depends on extent of work and volume of applications)

  “even if you don't need land development approval, all construction activities, including do-it-yourself projects, will require a building permit and a zoning permit.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  New construction, alterations, and additions inside Lowhill township

  • Township enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code plus local amendments, per the township's own permits page.
  • The township's local amendments were not retrieved.

  “lowhill township has opted to enforce the pennsylvania uniform construction code. this state law, along with our local amendments to same, regulates all building, plumbing and electrical work.”

• InspectionsRequired

  New construction, alterations and additions inside Lowhill township (inspections performed by the township's contracted third-party agency)

  • Current contracted agency is Barry Isett & Associates (610-398-0904); the township does not schedule inspections in-house.
  • No permit will be issued without the agency's approval.

  “lowhill township has contracted all inspection and plan review for all new construction, alterations and additions to a third party agency.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Lowhill township: certificate of occupancy is issued by the township after new construction; not required for resale of an existing home

  • The township's FAQ says a use and occupancy certificate is not currently required for resale of a home.
  • The township issues a certificate of occupancy after construction, per its grading FAQ.
  • Change of use or occupancy of a building requires a permit (permits page).

  “is a use and occupancy certificate for the resale of a home required? no, not currently.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Lowhill township, Lehigh County, PA (New Tripoli mailing address), governed by the township's own 2025 Zoning Ordinance

  • The township's online copy of the ordinance is not the official version; the official version is only available from the township office (lowhill-ordinances).
  • The township's Spring 2026 newsletter describes the 2025 Zoning Ordinance as recently adopted.

  “the 2025 zoning ordinance was adopted to provide clarity, consistency, and predictability for property owners.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts in Lowhill township

  • Township publishes the full 2025 zoning ordinance and zoning district maps on its website.
  • The township's online ordinance copy is not the official version (lowhill-ordinances).
  • District names named in the newsletter include Agricultural, Rural Residential and Village Center; the full district list was not opened.

  “the full 2025 zoning ordinance and zoning district maps”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Private residential sheds (accessory structures) inside Lowhill township; applies regardless of zoning district as stated by the township FAQ

  • Sheds up to 500 sq ft need a zoning permit; over 500 sq ft need a building permit.
  • Pools must be at least 10 feet from the water's edge to side and rear property lines (permit FAQ).
  • Structures may not sit in easements, septic replacement areas, or drainage swales (newsletter).

  shed setback from any property line: >= 10 feet (no stated exception)

  “private residential sheds shall not exceed 500 square feet and shall be no closer than ten (10) feet to any property line and require a zoning permit.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  On-lot septic systems inside Lowhill township

  • Majority of properties in the township use on-lot well and septic systems.
  • Properties on public water and sewer are served by Lehigh County Authority instead (not septic).

  “any new, upgrade or repairs to an on-lot septic system must contact the township sewage enforcement officer for permits.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New, upgraded or repaired on-lot septic systems inside Lowhill township

  • Permits come from the township sewage enforcement officer.
  • Permit fees and the permit application form were not retrieved.

  “any new, upgrade or repairs to an on-lot septic system must contact the township sewage enforcement officer for permits.”

• Well permitNot required

  Drilling a private on-lot well inside Lowhill township

  • The township says no township permit is needed; the township directs owners to PA DEP for well information.
  • Well construction standards under state law were not checked.

  “a permit is not required to drill a private well.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development inside Lowhill township

  • The township lists a 2025 Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
  • The ordinance text was not opened; its thresholds and approval steps are not confirmed.

  “2025 subdivision and land development ordinance download”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Driveways on private property inside Lowhill township

  • Driveways must be at least 5 feet from the property line (permit FAQ).
  • Changing driveway size requires contacting the township; first-time paving over dirt or stone requires a soil and erosion control permit.
  • A driveway ordinance (Ord. 2012-02) is listed on the township ordinances page but its text was not opened.

  minimum distance from property line: >= 5 feet

  “do i need a permit to repave my existing paved driveway? no, but you do need to contact the township if you decide to change the size of your driveway. if you are paving your driveway for the first time (over dirt/stone) then a soil and erosion control permit is required.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building, zoning, and trade permits issued by Lowhill township

  • The township accepts cash or check only (permits page).
  • The fee schedule itself was not opened; amounts are not recorded here.

  “the permit fee schedule can be found under the "forms & documents" page of our website.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building and zoning permit applications in Lowhill township

  • Applications are presented to the township zoning office; zoning approval is needed before a building permit issues.
  • Plan review and inspection are by the third-party agency and need its approval.
  • Issuance takes 15 to 30 business days depending on the work.
  • Cash or check only; no credit cards.

  issuance time: 15 to 30 business days (depends on extent of work and volume)

  “permits may take anywhere from 15 to 30 business days to be issued.”

Still unanswered

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

• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area in Lowhill township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for single-family residential districts in Lowhill township
• Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage (impervious/built area) by district in Lowhill township
• Building height — Maximum building height by district in Lowhill township
• Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Lowhill 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.