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

Bushkill Township’s own rules

• Building permitLimited

  Only the specific work named in the township FAQ inside Bushkill township (retaining walls over 4 feet and certain electrical lighting work)

  • The FAQ says 'may be required', so this is not a general statement that all construction needs a building permit.
  • Whether new home construction needs a UCC building permit (township or third-party agency) is not established by this page.
  • Zoning permit requirements are a separate claim (bushkill-local-zoning-present).

  retaining wall height threshold: > 4 feet (Landscaping retaining walls at or below 4 feet and lighting not requiring electric are not covered by this statement)

  “however, if your landscaping includes a retaining wall over 4' or the installation of lighting which requires electric, you may be required to obtain a building permit.”

• InspectionsNot required

  Resale of an existing home inside Bushkill township only. Not a statement about inspections for new construction.

  • Applies to resale transactions only, per the township FAQ.
  • A moving permit is required for sellers and buyers under the same FAQ entry (not a building inspection).

  “is a certificate of occupancy and/or a home inspection required for the re-sale of an existing home? no, the township does not require either”

• Certificate of occupancyNot required

  Resale of an existing home inside Bushkill township only. Not a statement about certificates of occupancy for new construction.

  • Applies to resale transactions only, per the township FAQ.

  “is a certificate of occupancy and/or a home inspection required for the re-sale of an existing home? no, the township does not require either”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Bushkill township limits (Northampton County, PA). Bushkill township's own zoning ordinance, administered by the township, requires zoning permits for listed activities.

  • Zoning permit requirement is stated by the township FAQ as citing section 106a of the township zoning ordinance.
  • Full text of the zoning ordinance and district regulations was not opened; see search notes.

  “the following activities require a permit as per section 106a, 1-6 of the zoning ordinance: construction”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway construction on land inside Bushkill township, under the township zoning permit requirement

  • Requirement is a zoning permit under section 106a of the township zoning ordinance; it does not state driveway width, slope or access-road standards.
  • Listed activities also include construction, patio, fence and accessory buildings.

  “the following activities require a permit as per section 106a, 1-6 of the zoning ordinance: construction, placement of extension of a structure, building, above ground and inground swimming pool, patio, fence, driveway, accessory building including shed or sign; demolition or removal of a structure greater than 500 square feet.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Bushkill township
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption inside Bushkill township
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and schedule for Bushkill township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for the single-family residential district inside Bushkill township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for the main single-family residential district (Rural Residential, per agenda snippet) inside Bushkill 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.