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

Greene Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Decks, additions, sheds, garages and other structures inside Greene township

  • A township location permit is required for all structures regardless of size; the page states no fee and no inspection for the location permit.
  • Bureau Veritas building permits are also needed for listed projects (commercial work, attached additions, pools, sheds/garages 1,000 sq ft and over, uncovered decks 30 inches and over, fences over 6 feet, roof alterations, electrical/plumbing projects to be checked with the building department).
  • A valid sewage permit is required before a building permit (see septic_permit).

  “all decks, additions, sheds, or other structures require a location permit through the township office, regardless of size or height.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  All construction inside Greene township

  • Ordinance #79 (administration and enforcement of building code provisions) is listed on the ordinances page but its text was not opened; the specific code edition was not confirmed.
  • Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code applicability was not separately verified.

  “all construction (structural, electrical, plumbing, etc.) in greene township, must be built according to the international construction code standards.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Building inspections for construction inside Greene township, performed by the contracted building department (Bureau Veritas)

  • Inspections are conducted by Bureau Veritas under contract with the township.
  • The sewage enforcement officer also inspects sewage systems (see septic_inspection).

  “greene township has contracted bureau veritas to conduct all building inspections in the township.”

• Certificate of occupancyNot required

  Sale or resale of an existing residential home inside Greene township

  • Applies only to resale; construction-related certificate rules are a separate claim.
  • Property transfer questions go to the Pike County Recorder of Deeds, per the township FAQ.

  “greene township does not require an occupancy permit when a residential home is sold.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Required — Occupancy of a building inside Greene township before a certificate of occupancy is issued

    “no building certificate of occupancy shall be issued without a valid sewer final inspection notice”

• Local zoningAbsent

  Land inside Greene township (Pike County, PA) — the township does not administer a zoning ordinance

  • The township says other regulations still apply, described in Ordinance #94 (subdivision and land development), and properties within a development may have additional by-laws.
  • Septic, well, building permit, and short-term rental rules still apply (see other claims).
  • No county zoning was found applying to Greene township in the sources reviewed.

  “there is no zoning ordinance currently adopted in the township of greene, pike county, pennsylvania.”

• Zoning districtsNot published

  Land inside Greene township (Pike County, PA) — no zoning districts because no zoning ordinance is adopted

  • Absence follows from the township's own no-zoning statement.

  “there is no zoning ordinance currently adopted in the township of greene, pike county, pennsylvania.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeNone

  Land inside Greene township — no zoning-based minimum dwelling size

  • Building code and sewage permit requirements still apply.

  “there is no zoning ordinance currently adopted in the township of greene, pike county, pennsylvania.”

• Building heightNone

  Land inside Greene township — no zoning-based building height limit

  • Building code requirements still apply through the township building code.

  “there is no zoning ordinance currently adopted in the township of greene, pike county, pennsylvania.”

• Accessory dwellingsUnrestricted

  Accessory dwelling units on private land inside Greene township — no zoning-based restriction

  • A new bedroom requires a sewage permit under the township building page, so septic capacity applies.
  • Building permit rules apply.

  “there is no zoning ordinance currently adopted in the township of greene, pike county, pennsylvania.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Onlot sewage systems for properties inside Greene township

  • The township sewage enforcement officer handles sewage permits, soil testing and perc testing for the township.
  • Ordinance #21 (sewage) exists on the township ordinance list; its text was not opened.

  “the sewage enforcement officer (seo) for greene township is glen martin. all inquiries regarding wells, septic systems and perc testing should be directed to him.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Sewage (septic) permit for any new structure or new bedroom inside Greene township

  • Sewage permit application must be used for soil testing as well.
  • A building permit cannot be issued without a valid sewage permit.
  • Fees are by check payable to Greene Township; the township says to contact the SEO for the correct fees.

  “no building permit shall be issued without a valid sewage permit”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Onlot sewage system serving a structure inside Greene township, before occupancy

  • A valid sewer final inspection notice is needed before a certificate of occupancy.
  • Inspection detail (who performs the sewer final inspection) was not confirmed on an official page.

  “no building certificate of occupancy shall be issued without a valid sewer final inspection notice”

• Well permitRequired

  Installing a private water well inside Greene township

  • Applicant completes Part 1 and the drilling contractor completes Part 2 of the township well permit application, returned with fees to Greene Township.
  • Well permit fees are by check; contact the SEO for amounts.

  “the below well permit application must be used to apply for a permit to install a well.”

• Mandatory utility hookupNone

  New home inside Greene township — no public water or sewer system is available to connect to

  • Exception stated by the township: properties in the Escape development are excepted from the onlot statement; their utilities were not checked.
  • Onlot septic and private wells are the township's stated norm.

  “greene township does not have public utilities. all properties (with the exception of properties located in the escape development) have onlot septic systems and wells.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development inside Greene township

  • Governed by Ordinance #94 (subdivision and land development, SALDO); lot combinations and subdivisions are reviewed by the planning commission (fourth Wednesday meeting) with fees by check or money order.
  • Pike County planning review application is also used.

  “however, there are still other regulations for properties located in greene township that are described in ordinance #94 - subdivision and land development.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rental of a property inside Greene township

  • Requires a township short-term rental permit under Ordinances #99/101/104 (#104 adopted May 14, 2025).
  • Application fees are non-refundable and paid by three separate checks; annual renewal is due before May 1 each year, and at any change to governed conditions.
  • Building inspection and sewage enforcement inspection are part of the application; penalties apply for violations.

  “yes, greene township has an adopted short-term rental ordinance which regulates short-term rentals within the township and establishes penalties for violations.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Sewage, well and other township permit fees inside Greene township

  • Location permit has no fee and no inspection.
  • Fee schedules are set by resolution (sewage fee schedule Resolution 24-13); the township directs applicants to the SEO for the correct amounts.
  • Payment is by check only; cash and credit cards are not accepted.

  “please contact glen martin for the appropriate fees.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building and location permit process inside Greene township

  • Step 1: obtain location permit (no fee). Step 2: give it to the township office for a location number. Step 3: where a Bureau Veritas project applies, file the Bureau Veritas permit with the building department.
  • Permits are returned by USPS with check payment to Greene Township c/o Glen Martin, 198 Brink Hill Rd., Greentown, PA 18426.

  “fill out permit and give to township office (secretary or treasurer), who will then assign a location #”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for building work by a homeowner inside Greene township
• Living in an RV — Occupancy of a recreational vehicle on private land inside Greene township
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Greene township
• Manufactured homes — Manufactured or mobile home occupancy inside Greene township
• Off-grid sanitation — Non-septic or off-grid sanitation for a home inside Greene 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.