Bolthole Index

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Upper Frederick Township, PA

Upper Frederick Township, Pennsylvania has its own zoning ordinance, adopted by the Board of Supervisors1, and applies the state Uniform Construction Code to building work2. A building permit is required for construction under that code3. Septic permits for homes inside the township come from the Montgomery County Office of Public Health4.

At a glance

Zoning
Township zoning ordinance (Chapter 285)1
Building permit
Required under the state Uniform Construction Code; township code adopts it23
Septic permit
Required; issued by Montgomery County Office of Public Health45
Minimum lot (RP district)
217,800 square feet (five acres) gross, 80,000 square feet net6
Dwelling height (RP district)
35 feet maximum7
Well permit
Required from the county Office of Public Health8
Owner-builder
No statewide contractor license required for most work9

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Upper Frederick Township office (zoning and administration)

Township zoning, zoning hearing board applications and general township questions

(610) 754-6436

[email protected]

3205 Big Road, Zieglerville, PA 19492

Building permits

Township Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer (LTL Consultants, Ltd.)

Building inspection and code enforcement for the township

(610) 987-9290 ext. 229

P.O. Box 241, Oley, PA 19547

Septic permits

Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH)

On-lot sewage permits and inspections and well permits

610-278-5117

[email protected]

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

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 Upper Frederick Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Does Upper Frederick Township, PA have zoning?

Yes. Upper Frederick Township, in Montgomery County, enforces its own zoning ordinance, Chapter 285 of the township code, adopted by the Board of Supervisors1. Pennsylvania law limits county zoning powers to municipalities that have no zoning of their own, so Montgomery County does not zone land here10.

In the RP Rural Preservation District, conventional lots need at least 217,800 square feet (five acres) gross lot area and 80,000 square feet net6. Dwellings in RP are capped at 35 feet and accessory buildings at 14 feet and one story7. Other districts have different numbers, so confirm the district for a specific parcel with the township office11.

We could not confirm the township's rules on living in an RV, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or minimum house size. Ask the township office before assuming any of them is allowed.

Do you need a building permit in Upper Frederick Township, and who issues it?

Building work in Upper Frederick Township falls under the state Uniform Construction Code, which the township code adopts in Chapter 1122. The code requires a property owner to obtain a building permit before starting construction work3, and inspections and a certificate of occupancy follow1213.

The township lists a Township Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer on its code enforcement page14. We could not confirm the permit fee schedule or an owner-builder exemption in the township's own code, so ask that office before you start.

Pennsylvania sets no statewide contractor license for most construction work9. Qualifying agricultural buildings are excluded from the Uniform Construction Code15.

How do septic permits work in Upper Frederick Township?

Septic permits for Upper Frederick Township come from Montgomery County, not the township. State law requires a permit before building or modifying an on-lot sewage system5, and the county Office of Public Health handles permitting and inspection416. Sewage Enforcement Officers inspect the installed system and give final approval for use17.

The township code also requires proof of compliance with state sewage regulations before an occupancy permit issues18. Where central water or sewer is not available, individual on-lot systems are used19.

Across Montgomery County, about 28% of soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field20. Expect a site evaluation, and possibly an engineered system, on many lots.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Upper Frederick Township?

We could not confirm whether Upper Frederick Township allows long-term RV living, temporary camping, tiny homes or manufactured homes on private land. Zoning is set by the township, so the county and state have no blanket answer. Pennsylvania's rules for RVs at state park campgrounds do not apply to private land. Call the township office at the number listed above before buying land for this purpose11.

Building a home in Upper Frederick Township: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and its lot size and height limits with the township611.
  2. Apply for septic evaluation and a permit with the Montgomery County Office of Public Health516.
  3. If the lot is being created or changed, expect subdivision and land development review under the township ordinance21.
  4. Get a building permit under the Uniform Construction Code from the township's code official314.
  5. If the driveway meets a state highway, a PennDOT highway occupancy permit is required22.
  6. Pass inspections and get a certificate of occupancy before moving in13.

What stays with Montgomery County (and what to check before you buy)?

Montgomery County handles septic and well permits for the township. Any drinking water, irrigation or geothermal well must have a permit from the county Office of Public Health before installation8. For land outside the township, see the Montgomery County page.

Lots must front a public street for at least 50 feet unless Chapter 285 says otherwise23. Construction in a flood hazard area needs a municipal floodplain permit24. Montgomery County's effective property tax rate is 1.4%25.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm the township's building permit fees, owner-builder rules or RV and tiny-home rules; ask the township office and its code enforcement officer1114.
  • Septic and well permits go through the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, not the township48.
  • Zoning limits such as lot size and height differ by district, so confirm the parcel's district before relying on the RP numbers6.

Sources

  1. Chapter 285: Zoning - Township of Upper Frederick, PA (Upper Frederick Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 112: Code Enforcement - Township of Upper Frederick, PA (Upper Frederick Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  4. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  5. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  6. Article IX RP - Rural Preservation District - Township of Upper Frederick, PA (Upper Frederick Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Article IX RP - Rural Preservation District - Township of Upper Frederick, PA (Upper Frederick Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Individual Water Supply Well Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  9. Contractor Licensing (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Section 602 (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Upper Frederick Township office (zoning and administration) (upperfrederick.org)
  12. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  13. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  14. Township Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer (LTL Consultants, Ltd.) (upperfrederick.org)
  15. Pennsylvania Construction Code Act — Chapter 1 (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) (montgomerycountypa.gov)
  17. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  18. Article VII: General Regulations - Township of Upper Frederick, PA (Upper Frederick Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. Article VII: General Regulations - Township of Upper Frederick, PA (Upper Frederick Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. 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
  21. Chapter 240: Subdivision and Land Development - Township of Upper Frederick, PA (Upper Frederick Township), quoted and re-checked
  22. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Article VII: General Regulations - Township of Upper Frederick, PA (Upper Frederick Township), quoted and re-checked
  24. PennsylvaniA Floodplain Development Guide (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

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 Upper Frederick Township

Upper Frederick Township’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction administered under Upper Frederick Township Code Chapter 112.

    “§ 112-8 Adoption of Uniform Construction Code.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Development inside Upper Frederick Township served by individual onlot facilities or facilities serving more than one lot, dwelling, use, or building.

    • For individual onlot facilities, written proof of compliance with applicable state regulations must be supplied to the Zoning Officer before occupancy permits issue.
    • For facilities serving more than one lot, dwelling, use, or building, written proof of compliance with applicable state regulations must be supplied before occupancy permits issue.
    “Written proof of compliance with the applicable state regulations must be provided to the Zoning Officer before occupancy permits will be issued.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Upper Frederick Township.

    • Chapter 285 was adopted by the Township Board of Supervisors; amendments are noted where applicable.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Upper Frederick 11-21-1991 by Ord. No. 91-3. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation of individual sewage systems inside Upper Frederick Township.

    • Systems are subject to DEP approval.
    “§ 210-40 Permit required for installation; systems subject to approval by DEP.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Development in Township zoning districts without available central water and/or sewer facilities.

    • Individual onlot water supply and sewage disposal facilities are used only where central water and/or sewer facilities are not available.
    • Written proof of compliance with applicable state regulations must be given to the Zoning Officer before occupancy permits issue.
    “Individual onlot water supply and sewage disposal facilities shall be used in all zoning districts where central water and/or sewer facilities are not available.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Development inside Upper Frederick Township where offsite central water and/or sewage facilities are available.

    • Individual onlot water supply and sewage disposal facilities must be used in zoning districts where central water and/or sewer facilities are not available.
    • The provision covers offsite central water and/or sewage facilities.
    “Offsite central water and/or sewage facilities must be used for development when they are available.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside Upper Frederick Township.

    • Amendments are noted where applicable.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Upper Frederick 11-9-1983 by Ord. No. 83-3. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Lots inside Upper Frederick Township, unless another Chapter 285 provision specifies otherwise.

    • The rule applies unless otherwise specified in Chapter 285.
    • The required frontage must be usable for ingress and egress.

    minimum public-street frontage at right-of-way: >= 50 feet (unless otherwise specified in Chapter 285)

    “Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, each and every lot shall abut a public street for at least 50 feet at the right-of-way line of the public street; and said 50 feet must be usable for purposes of ingress and egress to the lot.”

Rules another office applies inside Upper Frederick Township

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

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Conventional lotting in the RP Rural Preservation District.

    • Gross lot area and net lot area are both specified.

    minimum gross lot area: 217800 square feet (five acres) · minimum net lot area: 80000 square feet

    “Minimum lot size: 217,800 square feet (five acres) gross lot area; 80,000 square feet net lot area.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Conventional lotting in the RP Rural Preservation District.

    • Nonresidential structures may increase above 35 feet upon Zoning Hearing Board approval, with one additional foot added to each yard requirement for every foot above 35 feet.

    maximum dwelling height: <= 35 feet · maximum accessory building height: <= 14 feet (not exceeding one story) · maximum nonresidential building or structure height: <= 35 feet (may increase to 60 feet or another warranted height with Zoning Hearing Board approval)

    “For any dwelling: 35 feet. [...] For any building accessory in any dwelling use: 14 feet, not exceeding one story.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Residential construction inside Upper Frederick Township.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Upper Frederick Township.
  • Inspections — Residential construction inside Upper Frederick Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family detached dwellings in the RP Rural Preservation District.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term recreational-vehicle occupancy on private land inside Upper Frederick Township.
10 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Upper Frederick Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Montgomery County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Montgomery County: county rules, score and offices