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

Lehman Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New residential construction inside Lehman Township

  • A building permit is not needed for one-story detached accessory structures, provided the floor area does not exceed 1000 square feet (township building codes page).
  • Fees are set by the building inspection underwriters (BIU) after plan review.

  “the township requires a completed building permit application (signed and dated), copy of deed, copy of survey, copy of site plan”

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction under a Lehman Township building permit, inspected through the township's building inspector (BIU)

  • Inspections include footers, foundation, concrete slab, rough plumbing, framing and masonry, special and final inspections.
  • A certified foundation survey plan must be submitted and approved before foundation inspections proceed.

  “once the building inspector has approved your application, you will be responsible for inspection requests.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings in Lehman Township that are occupied after construction

  • A gas-appliance or non-electric energy connection inspection certificate is also required before issuance.
  • An electrical certificate is required if applicable.

  “occupancy of any structure prior to the certificate of occupancy’s issuance is unlawful, and will not be permitted.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Lehman Township (Pike County, PA; Bushkill mailing address) - the township adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance, titled 'Lehman Township Zoning Ordinance' on its official ordinances page. Zoning permits are issued by the township zoning officer.

  • Zoning permits are required for new construction, additions, sheds, fences and structural alterations, regardless of size and location, per the township zoning page.
  • The zoning ordinance text itself was not opened in this research; dimensional and use rules are unknown (see other claims).

  “lehman township zoning ordinance lehman township well ordinance lehman township sewage ordinance lehman township floodplain ordinance”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  On-lot sewage (septic) systems on land inside Lehman Township

  • Testing is scheduled through the township's sewage enforcement officer; the state Department of Environmental Protection rules for sewage enforcement were not separately opened.

  “all testing must be scheduled with the lehman township sewage enforcement officer.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New on-lot septic disposal systems in Lehman Township

  • Requires a signed application, a copy of deed or bill of sale, a signed trespass waiver, and a sealed survey completed within three years of application.
  • The township page links the application form (362-fm-wq0290 rev. 5/97), which may be outdated.

  septic permit fee: 450 USD

  “to begin the process of obtaining an on lot sewage disposal / septic permit in lehman township you must submit the following:”

• Well permitRequired

  New private water wells in Lehman Township

  • Well application must be signed and the driller's name and address shown; plot plan must show well setbacks from the two closest property lines.

  well permit fee: 150 USD

  “to begin the process of obtaining a well permit in lehman township, you must submit the following:”

• Subdividing landRegulated

  Land subdivision and land development inside Lehman Township

  • The subdivision and land development ordinance itself was not opened; regulation is shown by the township's ordinance listing.

  “lehman township subdivision and land development ordinance property maintenance code”

• Short-term rentalsProhibited

  New short-term rentals in residential zones inside Lehman Township

  • Stated for new short-term rentals only; existing-use treatment (ordinances #140 and #145) was not opened.
  • Commercial third-party guides claim license transfer pathways; not verified against township ordinance.

  “any new short -term rentals are not permitted in any residential zone in lehman township.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Zoning permit fees for principal and accessory structures in Lehman Township

  • Re-inspection fee of $25.00 applies to failed inspections.
  • Driveway permits $100.00; road openings $500.00; demolition $100.00 (zoning page fee schedule).
  • The fee schedule is on the zoning page labelled with a zoning map dated Jan. 12, 2023; no later revision stated.

  principal residential structure zoning permit fee: 400 USD (includes attached additions and garages)

  “principal residential structures with certificate of zoning compliance (includes attached additions and garages) $400.00”

• Permit processPublished

  Zoning permit process in Lehman Township

  • Zoning permits: plot plan, sealed survey within three years, deed, trespass waiver, workers compensation form, and check payable to Lehman Township.
  • Allow up to ten days for processing.

  processing time: <= 10 days

  “permits are issued by the zoning officer after a plan is completely reviewed. please allow up to ten days for processing.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction in Lehman Township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the main single-family residential district of Lehman Township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the main single-family residential district of Lehman Township
• Setbacks — Yard setbacks for principal structures in Lehman Township residential districts
• Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage in Lehman Township residential districts

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.