Bolthole Index

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

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

Franconia Township, Pennsylvania (Montgomery County) adopts and enforces its own zoning ordinance1 and has adopted the state Uniform Construction Code as its building code2. Building permit applications go to the township office, not the county3. Septic permits for every address in the township come from the Montgomery County Health Department, and the township will not issue a building permit for a building with plumbing until that sewage permit exists45.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes. Franconia Township sets and enforces its own zoning ordinance1
Building permit
Required; the township administers the Uniform Construction Code26
Septic permit
Required; issued by the Montgomery County Health Department, not the township74
Occupancy permit
Required for new homes with an on-lot septic system after the county approves the installation8
Zoning districts
14 base districts plus overlay districts where mapped9
Permit fees
Set by the Board of Supervisors by resolution10
Owner-builder
Pennsylvania lets an owner work on their own primary residence without a contractor license11

Who to call

Building permits

Franconia Township Building & Zoning (Township Office)

Building and plumbing permits, use and occupancy permits, zoning questions and township inspections

(215) 723-1137

[email protected]

671 Allentown Road, Telford, PA 18969

Septic permits

Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH)

On-lot sewage permits and inspections and individual water supply well permits

610-278-5117

[email protected]

1430 DeKalb Street, PO Box 311, Norristown, PA, 19404-0311

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Franconia Township, PA have zoning?

Yes. Franconia Township has its own zoning ordinance, adopted by the Board of Supervisors, and it applies to land inside the township1. Montgomery County does not run a single county zoning ordinance; zoning is set municipality by municipality12.

The township divides itself into 14 base zoning districts, with overlay districts layered on where mapped9. Which district a parcel sits in decides what you can build, so look up the parcel on the official Zoning Map, which is kept at the township offices9. The township also publishes recent zoning amendments on its building and zoning page3.

We could not confirm the township's rules on RVs, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, minimum lot size, setbacks or minimum home size. Those are set district by district, so ask the township zoning office with your parcel address before you buy.

Do you need a building permit in Franconia Township?

Yes. Franconia Township has adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as its municipal building code, so construction work inside the township goes through a township building permit26. Permit fees are set by Board of Supervisors resolution, so ask the township office for the current fee schedule10.

Plumbing and electrical work have their own permit applications, and the township does not accept permit applications by email3. Inside Franconia Township the township handles building permits; the county's role is septic and wells, covered below13.

Who issues building permits in Franconia Township and how do you reach them?

The Franconia Township office issues building permits and handles inspections. Call (215) 723-1137 or visit the township building at 671 Allentown Road, Telford3. Applications are delivered in person, mailed or left in the lock box; email submissions are not accepted3.

New residential construction needs a use and occupancy permit; the township says it does not require one for residential resale or rental changes3. For a new home on a septic system, that occupancy permit also waits on the county's approval of the installed system8.

How do septic permits work inside Franconia Township?

Septic permits in Franconia Township come from the Montgomery County Health Department, not the township. Only a Sewage Enforcement Officer employed by the county may issue them414. A permit is required before you install, alter or occupy a building that will use an on-lot sewage system7.

The order matters: the township will not issue a building permit for a new or expanded building with sewage-generating facilities until Pennsylvania DEP has issued Act 537 planning approval and the county has issued the sewage permit5. Montgomery County's Office of Public Health handles on-lot sewage permits and inspections1516.

In the township's sewage-management district, on-lot systems are also inspected, and a system found to be malfunctioning must be repaired or connected to public sewer if it is available within 150 feet1718. Across Montgomery County, about 28% of soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation19.

Building a home in Franconia Township: the steps, in order

  1. Call the township office at (215) 723-1137 to confirm the parcel's zoning district and what the zoning ordinance allows there39.
  2. If the land is not on public sewer, contact the Montgomery County Office of Public Health about site testing and a sewage permit; Act 537 planning approval and the county sewage permit come before any building permit for a building with plumbing515.
  3. If you are dividing land, the township regulates subdivision and land development20.
  4. Submit the building permit application and required documents to the township office in person or by mail32.
  5. After the county approves the septic installation, request the use and occupancy permit83.

What stays with Montgomery County, and what to check before you buy in Franconia Township

Septic and well permits sit with Montgomery County, not the township421. For other Montgomery County municipalities and county-wide context, see the Montgomery County page.

County-level numbers give context: Montgomery County's effective property tax rate is about 1.4%22 and its Bolthole Index score is about 39 out of 10023. Before buying, confirm the zoning district, flood status and driveway access, because we could not confirm the township's floodplain and driveway rules; floodplain construction falls under the state building code24.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Franconia Township's rules on RV or tiny-home living, accessory dwellings, setbacks or minimum lot size, so ask the township zoning office before relying on any of them3.
  • The township code says no building permit issues for a building with sewage-generating facilities until the county sewage permit is in hand, so septic timing can hold up a whole project5.
  • We could not confirm an owner-builder exemption from township permits; Pennsylvania's contractor-license exemption for owners does not remove the need for a building permit112.
  • The township adopts zoning amendments regularly, including recent changes for data centers and a residential living for older adults overlay, so check the current ordinance3.

Sources

  1. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 145: Zoning (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 48: Construction Codes, Uniform (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Franconia Township Building & Zoning (Township Office) (franconiatownship.org)
  4. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 111: Sewage Disposal Systems, On-Lot (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 111: Sewage Disposal Systems, On-Lot (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. PA Department of Labor & Industry - UCC Regulations & Statutes (2026 county census)
  7. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 111: Sewage Disposal Systems, On-Lot (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 111: Sewage Disposal Systems, On-Lot (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Township of Franconia, PA, § 145-6 Classes of districts (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 48: Construction Codes, Uniform (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Contractor Licensing (2026 county census)
  12. Homes For All, quoted and re-checked
  13. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  14. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 111: Sewage Disposal Systems, On-Lot (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) (montgomerycountypa.gov)
  16. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  17. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 111: Sewage Disposal Systems, On-Lot (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. Township of Franconia, PA, Chapter 111: Sewage Disposal Systems, On-Lot (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. 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
  20. Township of Franconia, PA Code of Ordinances (Franconia Township), quoted and re-checked
  21. Individual Water Supply Well Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Bolthole Index score (off-grid/homestead land score): Bolthole Index county data
  24. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked

Written October 24, 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 Franconia Township

Franconia Township’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    New or expanded buildings inside Franconia Township that will contain sewage-generating facilities.

    • Act 537 planning approval must be issued by PADEP.
    • An appropriate sewage permit must be issued by the MCHD Sewage Enforcement Officer before the building permit issues.
    “No building permit shall be issued for a new or expanded building which will contain sewage-generating facilities until Act 537 planning approval has been issued by the PADEP and appropriate sewage permit has been issued by the MCHD Sewage Enforcement Officer.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction code administration inside Franconia Township.

    • The adopted UCC is amended from time to time.
    “The Uniform Construction Code contained in 34 Pa.Code, Chapters 401-405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code of Franconia Township.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New buildings inside Franconia Township that will contain sewage-generating facilities and use an on-lot sewage disposal system.

    • The MCHD Sewage Enforcement Officer must approve installation of the on-lot sewage disposal system before an occupancy permit issues.
    “No occupancy permit shall be issued for a new building which will contain sewage-generating facilities until the installation of the on-lot sewage disposal system has been approved by the MCHD Sewage Enforcement Officer.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Franconia Township.

    • The ordinance was adopted by the Township Board of Supervisors; amendments are noted where applicable.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Franconia 5-2-1966 by Ord. No. 33. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Franconia Township.

    • The official Zoning Map is on file in Township offices.
    • Overlay districts also apply where mapped.

    base zoning districts: 14 (Excludes listed overlay districts.)

    “For the purpose of this chapter, the Township is hereby divided into 14 districts, which shall be designated as follows:”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    On-lot sewage disposal systems in an Official Sewage Facilities Plan sewage-management district inside Franconia Township.

    • Initial inspection was to occur within three years of March 21, 2005.
    • Routine inspections may be established.
    • Known or alleged malfunctioning systems must be inspected.
    “An initial inspection shall be conducted by an authorized agent within three years of March 21, 2005, for the purpose of determining the type and functional status of each sewage disposal system in the sewage management district.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    A residence inside Franconia Township with an identified malfunctioning on-lot sewage disposal system.

    • Public sewer must be available within 150 feet of the residence.
    • The owner must begin the process of connecting within seven days of Township notification.
    • Construction must commence within 30 days and finish within 60 days unless seasonal or unique conditions require an extended date set by the Township.

    public sewer availability distance: <= 150 feet (Applies following Township notification that a malfunction has been identified.)

    “Within seven days of notification by the Township that a malfunction has been identified, the property owner shall either begin the process of connecting to public sewer if it is available within 150 feet of the residence or, if public sewer is unavailable, make application to the MCHD Sewage Enforcement Officer for a permit to repair or replace the malfunctioning system.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside Franconia Township.

    • Specific submission, review, and design requirements are in Chapter 122.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Franconia 4-10-1978 by Ord. No. 92. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Township fees for UCC administration and enforcement inside Franconia Township.

    • Fees are established by Board of Supervisors resolution from time to time.
    “Fees assessable by Franconia Township for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this ordinance and the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, as amended, and its regulations shall be established by Board of Supervisors by resolution from time to time.”

Rules another office applies inside Franconia Township

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

  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    On-lot sewage-facilities permitting inside Franconia Township.

    • Only an SEO employed by MCHD administers the PADEP Chapter 72 sewage-facilities permitting program.
    “Only the SEO employed by the Montgomery County Health Department is authorized to administrate the sewage facilities permitting program under Chapter 72 of the PADEP regulations.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, construction, alteration, or occupancy involving an individual or community sewage system inside Franconia Township.

    • The MCHD permit must show compliance with the Clean Streams Law, Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, and regulations adopted under those acts.
    • Sewage permits may be issued only by an MCHD-employed SEO.
    “No person shall install, construct or request bid proposals for construction, or alter an individual sewage system or community sewage system or construct or request bid proposals for construction or install or occupy any building or structure for which an individual sewage system or community sewage is to be installed without first obtaining a permit from the MCHD, which permit shall indicate that the site and the plans and specifications of such system are in compliance with the provisions of the Clean Streams Law and the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act and the regulations adopted pursuant to those Acts.”
  • Permit processPartial

    On-lot sewage-system permit applications for land inside Franconia Township.

    • The MCHD permit must establish statutory and regulatory compliance.
    • An MCHD-employed SEO is the only official permitted to issue sewage permits.
    “Sewage permits may be issued only by an SEO employed by the MCHD.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Franconia Township.
  • Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Franconia Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Franconia Township residential districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Franconia Township.
  • Setbacks — Residential development inside Franconia Township.
12 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural 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 Franconia Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Montgomery County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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