Bolthole Index

Venango County, Pennsylvania

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Venango County, Pennsylvania

83Index Score / 100
#3 of 67 in Pennsylvania

A home in Venango County, Pennsylvania requires a building permit under the statewide Uniform Construction Code, but the municipality's building code official or certified third-party agency issues it—not the county1. Venango County has no countywide zoning ordinance, so municipal zoning rules vary2. On-lot sewage permits also come from the local agency serving the municipality3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required statewide under the PA Uniform Construction Code; issued by your municipality's building code official or a certified third-party agency if the municipality opted out1
Zoning
No countywide ordinance; each Venango County municipality may adopt its own, and municipalities hold final authority2
Septic permits
Issued by your municipality's Sewage Enforcement Officer (or a joint local agency) under PA DEP's Act 537 program3
Owner-builder exemption
No general exemption was confirmed; owner-builders still need the UCC permit required for the work41
Certificate of occupancy
Required before use or occupancy of a residential building, issued within 5 business days of a passing final inspection5
Land development (county-level)
New facilities or expansions need a Venango County land-development plan sealed by a certified engineer, separate from municipal stormwater permitting6
Floodplain permit
Required for development in a mapped flood hazard area; administered by your community's own floodplain ordinance7
Septic soil difficulty
0% of county soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field8

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Venango County Regional Planning Commission

Subdivision and land development (SALDO) review, the county's Municipal Zoning Summary, and stormwater management administration for Venango County

814-432-9698

1174 Elk Street, P.O. Box 831, Franklin, PA 16323

Floodplain permits

Venango County Floodplain Administrator

Floodplain development permits for participating communities in Venango County, evaluating impacts of proposed activities in regulated floodplains

814-432-9676

1174 Elk Street, P.O. Box 831, Franklin, PA 16323

Septic permits

PA DEP Division of Municipal Facilities (Act 537 Sewage Facilities Program)

Statewide oversight of the Act 537 on-lot sewage program; a resource for identifying which municipal or joint local agency issues septic permits for a given Venango County municipality

717-787-5017

RCSOB - 11th Floor, P.O. Box 8774, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8774

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Venango County, Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania's statewide Uniform Construction Code applies to buildings everywhere in the state, including every municipality in Venango County, and has to be followed by builders regardless of whether the local municipality has adopted its own enforcement program9. Most Venango County municipalities administer the UCC themselves with a named building code official; in a municipality that has opted out, the property owner must instead hire a state-certified third-party agency to inspect the work and issue the permit1. A residential building may not be used or occupied without a certificate of occupancy, which the building code official must issue within five business days of a passing final inspection5. Two statutory carve-outs exist but neither creates an unpermitted dwelling: agricultural buildings are excluded from the Construction Code Act, and Act 92 recreational cabins can skip the UCC only with a signed affidavit that the cabin will never become a permanent residence110.

Who handles permits in Venango County, and how do you reach them?

There is no single county building department, because building permits in Pennsylvania are issued by each municipality, not the county1. The county-level office to know is the Venango County Regional Planning Commission, at 1174 Elk Street in Franklin, PA, phone 814-432-9698, which handles subdivision and land-development review, the county's Municipal Zoning Summary, and stormwater management116. Floodplain development permits, where a community participates in the county's floodplain administration, go through the county's Floodplain Administrator at 814-432-967612. For your actual building permit, contact your specific municipality directly, since the office, fee, and enforcement approach (municipal staff vs. a certified third-party agency) all vary by municipality9.

Does Venango County have zoning?

No countywide zoning ordinance exists in Venango County; the county has confirmed this directly, while noting that individual municipalities within the county may adopt and enforce their own13. Where a municipality has adopted zoning, that municipality holds final authority over its zoning districts, allowed uses, and other zoning determinations, and each one uses its own language and district descriptions, so there's no single countywide answer for setbacks, lot size, or dwelling size14. The county publishes a Municipal Zoning Summary as a general overview, but is explicit that it's informational only and not a final determination, advising buyers to contact the municipality directly15. In any part of the county not covered by a municipal zoning ordinance, there is no minimum dwelling size, no lot-coverage limit, and no building-height limit set by the county itself161718. Where no municipal zoning, subdivision, building, or setback ordinance applies, the county's own subdivision ordinance sets a fallback front setback of 80 feet from an arterial or collector street centerline (50 feet from other streets), a 10-foot side yard, and a 25-foot rear yard19.

How do septic permits work in Venango County?

On-lot sewage systems in Venango County are permitted by the municipality, a joint local agency, or a county/joint county health department serving that particular municipality, not by Venango County government itself, under Pennsylvania's Act 537 program20. A permit is required from the local agency before installation, construction, occupancy, or use of a system, with limited exceptions such as an individual system serving an owner or immediate family on a contiguous tract of at least 10 acres, subject to specific siting and ownership conditions21. Before a permit is issued, the local agency or Sewage Enforcement Officer generally must complete site suitability review, soil probe testing, and percolation testing within 20 working days of the application, and the applicant needs a one-call serial number before soil testing begins22. USDA soil-survey data rates 0% of Venango County soils as free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the official site testing an early contingency in any purchase8. Once installed, a system cannot be covered until the permitting body approves, though the applicant may cover it if 72 hours pass after notice of completion, excluding Sundays and holidays, without a refusal23.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Venango County?

Not as a permanent residence in a recreational vehicle park or campground governed by the county's subdivision ordinance where the municipality has no zoning ordinance: no vehicle may be used as a permanent place of abode there24. That specific ban applies to RV parks and campgrounds under the county's SALDO provisions, not to every possible RV use on private land, and municipal zoning can add its own rules where a municipality has adopted an ordinance24. We could not confirm a countywide rule for long-term RV or tiny-home occupancy on ordinary private land outside a park or campground, so ask the parcel's municipality before assuming either use is allowed. Manufactured housing has its own path: new, properly labeled manufactured homes installed per the manufacturer's approved design are largely outside UCC review, but alterations, additions after delivery, resale to a new purchaser, or relocation by the original purchaser all bring the UCC back into play25.

How do you build a home in Venango County, step by step?

  1. Confirm which municipality contains the parcel and whether it has zoning; the county's Municipal Zoning Summary is a starting point, but the municipality has final authority1511.
  2. Ask the Venango County Regional Planning Commission whether the project requires land-development review; a new facility or expansion requires a plan sealed by a certified engineer, while stormwater permitting remains a separate municipal process6.
  3. Arrange the septic site evaluation and permit through the local agency or Sewage Enforcement Officer before finalizing the house location2022.
  4. If the site is in a regulated floodplain, obtain the permit required by the community's floodplain ordinance and coordinate with the county Floodplain Administrator where the municipality delegates that service127.
  5. Apply for the UCC building permit through the municipality's building code official or certified third-party agency26.
  6. Call for required inspections and obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving in275.

What should you check before buying land in Venango County?

Start with the municipality: confirm whether it has adopted zoning and, if so, which district covers the parcel, because municipal rules can control uses and dimensional standards14. Venango County has no countywide zoning-based minimum dwelling size or building-height limit in areas without municipal zoning, but the statewide building code still applies1618. USDA data rates 0% of county soils as free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make a Sewage Enforcement Officer's site evaluation a purchase contingency822. The county is 83.3% wooded, while 76.6% of its land has a slope of 15% or less; inspect the actual parcel rather than treating either countywide figure as a site condition2829. Check the community floodplain ordinance and road access: regulated-floodplain work needs local review, a state-highway driveway needs a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit, and a township or borough may require its own driveway permit730. Private residential wells are not regulated by Pennsylvania DEP, although commercial well drillers must be licensed and permitted31. Typical property tax is 1.3%, with a median annual bill of $1,5093233.

Watch-outs

  • Venango County has no countywide zoning; minimum lot size, dwelling size, setbacks, and allowed uses depend entirely on whether and how your specific municipality has zoned, so confirm with that municipality before relying on any general answer14.
  • Building permits and septic permits both come from your municipality (or a certified third-party agency for building, and a Sewage Enforcement Officer for septic), not from Venango County government; the county's Planning Commission handles land development, floodplain, and stormwater instead11.
  • We could not confirm a general owner-builder exemption in Venango County; plan to obtain the UCC building permit required for the work even if you build it yourself41.

Sources

  1. PA Dept. of Labor & Industry — Uniform Construction Code (2026 county census)
  2. Subdivision & Land Development (SALDO) (2026 county census)
  3. Venango County - Subdivision & Land Development (SALDO) (2026 county census)
  4. (2026 county census)
  5. PART XIV, quoted and re-checked
  6. Develop, quoted and re-checked
  7. Municipal Services, quoted and re-checked
  8. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  9. Uniform Construction Code (UCC), quoted and re-checked
  10. Pennsylvania Construction Code Act — Chapter 1 (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Venango County Regional Planning Commission (venangocountypa.gov)
  12. Venango County Floodplain Administrator (venangocountypa.gov)
  13. Subdivision & Land Development (SALDO), quoted and re-checked
  14. Subdivision & Land Development (SALDO), quoted and re-checked
  15. Subdivision & Land Development (SALDO), quoted and re-checked
  16. Venango County: Municipal Zoning Summary, quoted and re-checked
  17. Venango County: Municipal Zoning Summary, quoted and re-checked
  18. Venango County: Municipal Zoning Summary, quoted and re-checked
  19. Venango County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  20. Municipal On Lot Sewage Service Areas, quoted and re-checked
  21. 25 Pa. Code § 72.22. Permit issuance (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, quoted and re-checked
  23. Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Venango County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  25. Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Uniform Construction Code (UCC), quoted and re-checked
  27. 34 Pa. Code § 403.64. Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  28. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Venango County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  31. Private Water Wells, quoted and re-checked
  32. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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.

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County locator

Venango County in Pennsylvania

83
County map
Venango County highlighted among the Pennsylvania counties · colored by Index score

How Venango County scores

Seclusion70100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency58100% ev.
Admin Boringness6090% ev.
Durability84100% ev.
Property Autonomy68100% ev.
Carry Cost78100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$134kTypical home
1.3%Property tax
$4,234Land / acre
45.8"Annual rain
0% of yrsSevere drought
0.8 / yr (+0.8)Mid-century 100°F days
9.6 daysMid-century dry spell
1.55" (+7.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.7×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$994Home insurance / yr
0.4% / yrInsurance growth
0.46%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
6,429People within 30 min
2,096,564People within 2 hr
57,342Radius comparison (15 mi)
73.3People / sq mi
4.5%Federal land
76.6%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Septic soil without severe limits
0 acWorkable land screen
83.3%Wooded land
69 tonsBiomass / forest ac
48.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Venango County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Venango County rules

  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    County-administered zoning in Venango County, Pennsylvania.

    • Municipalities within Venango County may have adopted and enforce their own zoning ordinances.
    • The County advises that municipalities have final authority over zoning enforcement and determinations.
    “Although Venango County does not have a county-wide zoning ordinance, there are municipalities within the county which have adopted zoning ordinances.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Absent (with conditions) — A countywide zoning ordinance administered by Venango County.
      “Although Venango County does not have a county-wide zoning ordinance, there are municipalities within the county which have adopted zoning ordinances.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Zoning adopted and enforced by municipalities within Venango County, considered as a countywide aggregate rather than as a county-administered zoning code.

    • Some municipalities have adopted zoning ordinances.
    • Each municipality may use varying language for each zone and varying descriptions.
    • Municipalities hold the authority to enforce and regulate their zoning and make final determinations.
    • The county's Municipal Zoning Summary is a general overview and is not a concluding review; the county advises contacting the municipality directly for final determinations.
    “The challenge with presenting this information is that each municipality has adopted varying language for each zone with further varying descriptions.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Aggregate countywide finding concerning zoning administered by municipalities within Venango County; this does not state that Venango County administers the municipal ordinances.
      “The challenge with presenting this information is that each municipality has adopted varying language for each zone with further varying descriptions.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Countywide publication of a generalized municipal zoning summary for Venango County; the summary is informational and does not establish or enforce municipal zoning districts.

    • Venango County has no countywide zoning ordinance.
    • Some municipalities have adopted zoning ordinances with varying language and descriptions.
    • The county's Municipal Zoning Summary is a general overview and is not a concluding review.
    • Municipalities retain authority to enforce and regulate their zoning and make final determinations.
    “Although Venango County does not have a county-wide zoning ordinance, there are municipalities within the county which have adopted zoning ordinances.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeNone

    No countywide zoning-based minimum dwelling-size requirement in unincorporated Venango County areas not governed by a municipal zoning ordinance.

    • Venango County municipalities may adopt and enforce their own zoning ordinances, which can contain dwelling-size requirements.
    • This claim does not negate statewide building-code requirements or municipal building-code requirements.
    “does not have a county-wide zoning ordinance”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Subdivision or land development in areas of Venango County not controlled by local zoning, subdivision, building, or setback ordinances.

    • Local zoning, subdivision, building, or setback ordinances control where they contain applicable provisions.
    • Front setbacks are measured from the street cartway centerline and apply to any street in or bordering the parcel.
    • A side-yard setback may be reduced if written permission from the adjoining landowner expressly permits the reduction.

    front setback from arterial or collector street: 80 feet · front setback from other street: 50 feet · setback from railroad right-of-way: 80 feet · side-yard setback: >= 10 feet from property line (may be reduced with written permission from adjoining landowner) · rear-yard setback: >= 25 feet

    “Side yard setbacks shall be a minimum of ten”
  • Lot coverageNone

    No countywide zoning-based lot-coverage limit in unincorporated Venango County areas not governed by a municipal zoning ordinance.

    • Municipal zoning ordinances may regulate lot coverage.
    • The County SALDO requires lot-coverage information on certain plans but does not establish a countywide lot-coverage percentage in the cited provisions.
    • This claim does not negate stormwater or other development requirements.
    “municipalities within the county which have adopted zoning ordinances”
  • Building heightNone

    No countywide zoning-based building-height limit in unincorporated Venango County areas not governed by a municipal zoning ordinance.

    • Municipal zoning ordinances may regulate building height.
    • State building-code requirements and municipal building-code enforcement may still apply.
    • The County SALDO contains height-related standards for particular features, but no general countywide building-height limit was located.
    “Municipalities hold the authority to enforce and regulate”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Using a recreational vehicle or camping unit as a permanent place of abode, dwelling, or business in a recreational vehicle park or campground governed by §602 where the municipality lacks a zoning ordinance.

    • The prohibition is specific to recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds addressed by the cited SALDO provision; this claim does not establish a countywide ban on every RV use on private land.
    • Municipal zoning may apply where the municipality has adopted a legally enforceable zoning ordinance.
    “no vehicle shall be used as a permanent place of abode”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Development and operation of recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds in Venango County municipalities without a legally adopted zoning ordinance.

    • The rule applies to recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds, not necessarily every form of temporary camping outside such a park or campground.
    • The park or campground must be reviewed as a major subdivision and comply with all requirements of the Venango County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
    • The park or campground must serve short-term placement of recreational vehicles and camping units; no vehicle may be used as a permanent place of abode, dwelling, or business.
    • A permanent dwelling may be located in the park site for the park manager.
    • The park or campground must have an area of five or more acres.
    • Each recreational vehicle site or campsite must have at least 1,500 square feet and a minimum width of 30 feet.
    • Vehicles must be at least 20 feet apart and at least 50 feet from an adjacent property.
    • One parking space per site and visitor parking at a ratio of one-half space per site are required.
    • Evidence of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection approval must be submitted in accordance with Chapter 19 Organized Camps and Campgrounds.
    • The applicant must provide assurance that the proposed road system will be improved so it is passable for vehicles intended to use the street.
    • Where a municipality has a legally adopted zoning ordinance, the site must instead be designed in accordance with the applicable zoning standards.

    minimum park or campground area: >= 5 acres · minimum recreational vehicle site or campsite area: >= 1500 square feet · minimum site width: >= 30 feet · minimum spacing between vehicles: >= 20 feet · minimum distance from adjacent property: >= 50 feet · visitor parking: per 0.5 space per site

    “no vehicle shall be used as a permanent place of abode”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivisions and land developments in Venango County, including municipalities without their own subdivision and land development ordinance; municipalities with their own ordinance must forward plans to the County Planning Commission for review and report.

    • The Venango County Regional Planning Commission and Planning Commission staff review and approve or disapprove subdivisions and land developments under the ordinance.
    • Municipalities without an officially adopted subdivision and land development ordinance are subject to County jurisdiction and control.
    • For municipalities with their own subdivision and land development ordinance, plans must be forwarded to the County Planning Commission for review and report, and the municipality may not approve the application until the County report is received or 30 days have elapsed from forwarding.
    • Subdivisions or land developments laid out and recorded before March 1, 1974, or referenced in a deed or other recorded document, including wills probated before March 1, 1974, are exempt.
    • Applications submitted but not approved before the ordinance's effective date, or plausibly shown to have existed before March 1, 1974, are reviewed under the listed prior ordinances.
    • Lots divided by an existing public roadway are treated as separate lots and do not require subdivision approval; when sold, no subdivision plan is required, but documentation of recording new deeds must be provided to the Planning Commission.
    • No subdivision or land development may be made, and no lot may be sold, transferred, or leased or building permit issued, unless the plan has been approved and properly recorded and required improvements have been constructed or guaranteed.
    • The ordinance excludes subsurface oil, gas, mineral, or other subsurface ownership rights and related surface operations.
    • The ordinance remains effective until amended or rescinded by the Board of Venango County Commissioners.
    • Filing fees may be recommended annually by the Regional Planning Commission and approved by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
    • A minor subdivision is generally 10 or fewer lots or dwelling units, or a single-lot development with fewer than two buildings served by an existing public street and with a combined building and paved parking area of 20,000 square feet or less.
    • A minor subdivision staff approval requires compliance with minimum lot size, unchanged drainage easements or rights-of-way, frontage on an existing public or municipally recognized private street, unchanged street alignments, and compliance with all applicable ordinance provisions; modifications prevent processing as a minor subdivision.

    municipal review period after County forwarding: 30 days (unless the County report is received earlier) · minor subdivision lot or dwelling-unit threshold: <= 10 lots or dwelling units (an eleventh or subsequent building lot or dwelling unit is a major subdivision) · minor single-lot land-development building threshold: < 2 buildings (must be served by an existing public street) · minor single-lot combined building and paved parking area: <= 20000 square feet · minor subdivision staff review decision period: 90 days (following acceptance of a complete minor application, unless applicant grants a written extension) · minor subdivision written notice period: 15 calendar days (following staff decision)

    “A minor subdivision application must be submitted to and approved by the Venango County Regional Planning Commission”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveways and access drives associated with subdivisions or land developments governed by the Venango County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

    • Driveways or access drives must intersect streets at right angles where possible, and never at less than 70 degrees.
    • If local regulations or ordinances contain no driveway provisions, the SALDO minimums apply: residential driveway width 10 feet minimum and 15 feet maximum; non-residential one-way driveway width 12 feet minimum and 15 feet maximum; non-residential two-way driveway width 24 feet minimum and 30 feet maximum.
    • The ordinance states maximum driveway slopes of 115% for residential driveways and 10% for non-residential one-way and two-way driveways in the published table.
    • The difference between the roadway cross slope and the upward grade of the driveway approach may not exceed 8%.
    • Driveway grade may not exceed 10% for the first 18 feet from the street edge of pavement.
    • All lot driveways accessing State roadways must be designed in accordance with PennDOT standards, and a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit is required for all lot driveways accessing State Highways.
    • Driveway visibility must remain unobstructed between 2 feet and 9 feet in height for 16 feet from the back of curb; the visibility zone extends 80 feet along each side of the right-of-way or to the nearest intersecting property line, whichever is less.
    • Where local municipal regulations, resolutions, or ordinances differ from the county minimum standards or dimensions, the local standard or dimensions govern.
    • For lots requiring access onto a Township or Borough street, the appropriate municipal Driveway Permit must be submitted if applicable.

    residential driveway width minimum: >= 10 feet (Applies when local regulations or ordinances contain no driveway provisions.) · residential driveway width maximum: <= 15 feet (Applies when local regulations or ordinances contain no driveway provisions.) · non-residential one-way driveway width minimum: >= 12 feet (Applies when local regulations or ordinances contain no driveway provisions.) · non-residential one-way driveway width maximum: <= 15 feet (Applies when local regulations or ordinances contain no driveway provisions.) · non-residential two-way driveway width minimum: >= 24 feet (Applies when local regulations or ordinances contain no driveway provisions.) · non-residential two-way driveway width maximum: <= 30 feet (Applies when local regulations or ordinances contain no driveway provisions.) · driveway intersection angle: >= 70 degrees (Right-angle intersections are required where possible.) · driveway approach cross-slope difference: <= 8 percent · driveway grade for first 18 feet: <= 10 percent (Measured from the street edge of pavement.) · driveway visibility depth from back of curb: 16 feet (Visibility must remain unobstructed between 2 feet and 9 feet in height.) · driveway visibility extension: 80 feet (Or to the nearest property line intersecting the street property line, whichever is less.)

    “Driveways or access drives shall intersect streets at right angles, where possible, and in no case less than seventy (70) degrees.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development activities proposed in regulated floodplains in Venango County communities that administer floodplain permitting through the county or otherwise apply a local floodplain ordinance.

    • All activities must follow the applicable community floodplain ordinance.
    • Municipalities generally maintain and enforce their own floodplain ordinances; some municipalities delegate floodplain management services to the county.
    • Any activity altering the natural topography of the floodplain generally needs review.
    • Maintenance of existing buildings, resurfacing roads, and agricultural activities that do not involve filling or grading are identified as not being development for local floodplain-ordinance enforcement.
    • Recreational vehicles and travel trailers have special conditions.
    • Some structures may be exempt from the building-permit process but still require a floodplain development permit.
    “The Floodplain Development Permit is the mechanism by which the community evaluates any and all impacts of activities proposed in the regulated floodplains. All activities must follow the community’s Floodplain Ordinance.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land-development plan filing and review fees administered under the Venango County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

    • The filing fee may be recommended annually by the Venango County Regional Planning Commission and approved by resolution of the Board of Venango County Commissioners.
    • Land-development plans also require deposits and reimbursement of engineering or other Regional Planning Commission costs.
    • The ordinance does not state a fixed dollar amount in the cited passage.

    fee amount: established annually by resolution

    “The fee for the filing of subdivision and land development plans may be recommended annually by the Venango County Regional Planning Commission for approval by resolution by the Board of Venango County Commissioners.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County-administered land-development approval for new facilities or expansions in Venango County, subject to municipal exceptions and separate stormwater permitting.

    • A land-development plan must be prepared and sealed by a certified engineer.
    • Land-development approval is issued by the Planning Commission Board.
    • Stormwater permitting is a separate process administered under a local municipal ordinance.
    • Projects adding less than 5,000 square feet of new impervious surface require a small project application; projects adding more than 5,000 square feet require an engineered stormwater management plan.

    new impervious surface threshold: < 5000 square feet (small project application) · new impervious surface threshold: > 5000 square feet (engineered stormwater management plan)

    “Construction of a new facility or an expansion of an existing structure is considered a land development under the Venango County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. A land development plan must be prepared and sealed by a certified engineer. Land development permitting is a separate process from stormwater permitting, since land development approval is issued by the Planning Commission Board (due to being a countywide ordinance) and stormwater permitting is a local municipal ordinance.”

Pennsylvania rules that apply here

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, occupancy change, or regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing work involving residential buildings in Venango County under Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code.

    • The owner or authorized agent must first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit.
    • Emergency repair or replacement of equipment may proceed before applying if a permit application is submitted within 3 business days.
    • Permits are not required for the exceptions listed in 34 Pa. Code § 403.1(b), including certain accessory structures under 1,000 square feet, agricultural buildings, manufactured or industrialized housing shipped from the factory, individual sewage disposal systems, qualifying nonstructural residential alterations and repairs, qualifying recreational cabins, qualifying temporary fair or festival structures, and certain agricultural-fairground pole barns.
    • Additional residential permit exemptions include fences no more than 6 feet high, retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge, qualifying water tanks, certain sidewalks and driveways, prefabricated pools less than 24 inches deep, certain playground equipment, qualifying window awnings, uncovered decks no more than 30 inches above grade, communications wiring, ordinary repairs, and public-service-agency equipment.
    • The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry states that municipalities generally administer and enforce the UCC locally, while certified third-party agencies enforce residential requirements in opt-out municipalities.
    “An owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a residential building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit under § 403.62a (relating to permit application).”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction throughout Pennsylvania under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.

    • The UCC is administered and enforced locally by municipalities that opt in, using municipal employees or certified third-party agencies.
    • In municipalities that opt out, the Department of Labor and Industry is responsible for commercial code enforcement, while certified third-party agencies hired by property owners or contractors enforce residential UCC requirements.
    • The Department has sole jurisdiction for elevators and state-owned buildings wherever located.
    • The 2021 accessibility updates are permanently enjoined; structures must still comply with the 2018 accessibility requirements, and the injunction does not affect enforcement of non-accessibility UCC requirements.
    • The revised regulations adopting the 2018 I-Code series became effective February 14, 2022. Contract-based transition rules allow certain projects with contracts signed before that date to use the UCC in effect at the time of contract if application was made by August 14, 2022 or earlier.
    • The 2021 I-Code accessibility provisions became effective December 25, 2021, with a contract-based transition period allowing applications by June 25, 2022 or earlier.
    • Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code triennial update was published November 8, 2025 and became effective January 1, 2026.

    2018 I-Code regulations effective date: 2022-02-14 (For contracts signed before this date, application and permit issuance under the UCC in effect at the time of contract were allowed if application was made by 2022-08-14.) · 2021 I-Code accessibility provisions effective date: 2021-12-25 (For contracts signed before this date, application and permit issuance under the UCC in effect at the time of contract were allowed if application was made by 2022-06-25.) · 2025 triennial UCC update effective date: 2026-01-01

    “Pennsylvania's statewide building code, generally known as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), has to be followed by builders in the state.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Building construction in Venango County under Pennsylvania's statewide Uniform Construction Code.
      “Pennsylvania's statewide building code, generally known as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), has to be followed by builders in the state.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Buildings in Pennsylvania, including Venango County.
      “Pennsylvania's statewide building code, generally known as the Uniform Construction Code (UCC), has to be followed by builders in the state.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Residential construction in Venango County for which a Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code permit was issued.

    • The construction code official must inspect all construction for which a permit was issued.
    • The permit holder must ensure that construction is accessible for inspection and must notify the construction code official when work is ready for inspection.
    • Required inspection areas are foundation; plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems; frame and masonry; and wallboard.
    • The construction code official may conduct additional inspections to determine compliance with the UCC or municipal ordinances.
    • A final inspection of completed construction work and a final inspection report indicating UCC compliance are required.
    • The UCC inspection process is administered by the municipality or a certified third-party agency where applicable; the state Department may have enforcement responsibility in specified circumstances.
    “A construction code official shall inspect all construction for which a permit was issued. The permit holder shall insure that the construction is accessible for inspection.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Residential buildings in Venango County subject to Pennsylvania UCC occupancy requirements.

    • A residential building may not be used or occupied without a certificate of occupancy issued by a building code official.
    • The certificate is issued after receipt of a final inspection report indicating compliance with the UCC and ordinance.
    • The building code official must issue the certificate within five business days, or within ten business days in a city of the first class.
    • A certificate may be issued for a portion of a residential building if that portion independently meets the UCC.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued for a portion of a building before completion if the portion may be occupied safely, subject to a time period set by the building code official.

    certificate issuance deadline: 5 business days (10 business days in a city of the first class)

    “A residential building may not be used or occupied without a certificate of occupancy issued by a building code official.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured housing assembled and shipped by the manufacturer and bearing the required federal-construction-and-safety label, including changes in occupancy, resale, relocation, additions, repairs, utility connections, and grading addressed by Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code.

    • For new labeled manufactured housing installed in conformity with the manufacturer's approved design, the UCC does not apply except as provided in the regulation.
    • Construction activities or processes, including utility connections and grading, that are not addressed by the manufacturer's approved design must comply with the UCC.
    • The UCC applies to alterations or repairs outside the federal manufactured-home standards and manufacturer installation instructions after assembly and shipment.
    • The UCC applies to additions after delivery to the site.
    • The UCC applies to construction, alteration, repair, or change of occupancy if the manufactured housing is resold to a subsequent purchaser.
    • The UCC applies to construction, alteration, repair, or change of occupancy if the original purchaser relocates the manufactured housing.
    • Pennsylvania building-permit guidance states that manufactured housing projects require inspections for site preparation, foundation construction, repairs, and changes in occupancy.
    • This state construction-code rule does not resolve local zoning, land-use siting, or utility/septic approval requirements.
    “Construction, alteration, repair or change of occupancy if the original purchaser relocates the manufactured housing.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    On-lot sewage permitting and enforcement applicable in Venango County

    • Pennsylvania DEP provides technical oversight and financial assistance.
    • The actual permitting and enforcement agency is the municipality, a joint local agency, or a county/joint county health department serving the particular municipality.
    • Large-volume on-lot systems are an exception to the local-agency permitting responsibility.
    • Delegated joint agencies may receive additional authority to review land-development sewage proposals.
    “Local Agencies are responsible for carrying out on-lot or onsite ("septic system") sewage treatment system permitting and enforcement activities.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, construction, occupancy, or use of a building served by an individual or community onlot sewage system statewide.

    • A permit must be obtained from the local agency before installation, contracting for construction, construction, occupancy, or use.
    • Multiple chemical or portable toilets for temporary construction, recreation, or temporary facilities are covered by one permit.
    • A permit is not required for a recycling, incinerating, or composting toilet where the existing onlot system is not altered.
    • A permit exemption may apply to an individual onlot system serving an owner or immediate-family residence on a contiguous tract of at least 10 acres, subject to the owner-of-record date, local ordinance exception, notification, and siting requirements.
    • A permit is not required for a replacement dwelling when the local agency determines the size and anticipated use are the same as or less than the prior dwelling and the prior dwelling was in use within one year, except during an active malfunction investigation.

    permit-exemption tract size: >= 10 acres (Only under the specific owner/immediate-family and January 10, 1987 owner-of-record conditions.) · permit-exempt siting distance: >= 200 feet (Applies to septic tanks and absorption areas from listed property, water, floodplain, and related features.) · permit-exempt utility right-of-way distance: >= 10 feet · local-agency verification fee cap: <= 25 USD (For verifying siting of a permit-exempt system.)

    “without first obtaining a permit from the local agency, except as provided in subsections (c)—(e).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Installation, construction, alteration, repair, connection to, or occupancy of a building served by an individual or community sewage system in Venango County.
      “No person shall install, construct, or award a contract for construction, or alter, repair or connect to 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 system is to be installed without first obtaining a permit indicating that the site and the plans and specifications of such system are in compliance with the provisions of this act and the standards adopted pursuant to this act.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Site suitability, soil probe, percolation, and related inspections for on-lot sewage permit applications in Venango County

    • The local agency must perform or cause necessary inspections and tests.
    • Site suitability review, soil probe testing, and soil percolation testing must generally be completed within 20 working days after permit application receipt, subject to statutory extensions.
    • The applicant must obtain a one-call serial number before soil testing and notify the one-call system 3 to 10 working days before excavation.
    • The applicant must prepare the site after at least 48 hours' notice from the local agency or sewage enforcement officer.
    • Inspection and verification of isolation distances may occur before approval of on-lot sewage use in subdivisions or individual lots.
    • Maintenance inspections and enforcement programs may have local fees.

    initial site/soil testing deadline: <= 20 working days (later date requested in writing by applicant or agreed in writing by SEO and applicant) · one-call notification lead time: 3-10 working days (before excavation) · site-preparation notice: >= 48 hours minimum (notice from local agency or SEO)

    “such inspections and tests as may be necessary to carry out the provisions”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Individual and community sewage-disposal systems before concealment or covering after construction.
      “shall be covered from view until approval to cover the same has been given by the body which issued the original permit”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Composting, incinerating, recycling, and similar water-conservation toilets used for residential or establishment sanitation statewide.

    • For a new residence or establishment, an onlot sewage system or other approved disposal method must treat washwater or excess liquid, and both facilities must be under one permit, except for the retaining-tank exception.
    • For an existing residence or facility with no alteration of the onlot system, no permit is required for installation.
    • A composting or incinerating toilet on a qualifying retaining-tank lot is treated as and permitted as a privy.
    • The device must meet manufacturer specifications and be operated and maintained to prevent pollution or health hazards.
    • Liquid discharges are prohibited unless sent to a compliant onlot sewage system or another method approved under the chapter or by DEP.
    • Recycling, incinerating, and composting toilets must bear the NSF Standard No. 41 seal.
    “an onlot sewage system or other approved method of sewage disposal shall be provided for treatment of washwater or excess liquid from the unit”
  • Well permitLimited

    Water-well drilling statewide, distinguishing commercial water-well drillers from farmers and homeowners drilling their own wells on owned or leased land.

    • Water-well drilling companies must obtain a license and permits.
    • The licensing requirement does not apply to farmers or homeowners who drill their own water wells on their own or leased land.
    • The state has construction standards for public water-supply wells but not private water wells.
    • Drillers must submit the well's construction details to the state and the well owner.

    driller license year: June 1-May 31 · annual driller license fee: 60 USD · rig permit fee: 20 USD

    “Water well drilling companies must get a license and permits to drill a well in Pennsylvania.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Private residential water wells in Venango County
      “Water well drilling companies must get a license and permits to drill a well in Pennsylvania.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Qualifying agricultural buildings under Pennsylvania's Construction Code Act and Uniform Construction Code.

    • The exemption applies to an agricultural building as defined by the Act: a structure used to store farm implements, hay, feed, grain, or other agricultural or horticultural products; house poultry, livestock, or other farm animals; serve as a milk house; or grow mushrooms, agricultural, or horticultural products.
    • The definition includes a qualifying carriage house owned and used by members of a recognized religious sect for housing horses and storing buggies.
    • The definition includes a structure less than 1,000 square feet used to process maple sap.
    • The structure must not include habitable space.
    • The structure must not contain spaces where agricultural products are processed, treated, or packaged.
    • The structure is not a place of occupancy by the general public.
    • Other municipal land-use, zoning, fire, electrical, health, or environmental requirements may still apply; the cited exclusion is from the Construction Code Act.

    maple sap processing structure area: < 1000 square feet (Must otherwise meet the statutory agricultural-building definition.)

    “(b) Exclusions.--This act shall not apply to any of the following: [...] (4) Any agricultural building.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    RV use and occupancy at Pennsylvania state park campgrounds.

    • Use must occur at a state park campground and comply with campsite rules.
    • Campers may stay up to 14 consecutive nights from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
    • Campers may camp up to 21 consecutive nights during the remainder of the year.
    • Campers must vacate and remove all equipment for 48 hours between reservations.
    • A maximum of two sleeping units is permitted per campsite, of which only one may be wheeled.
    • Campsite occupancy is limited to one family unit or one non-family unit limited to five persons per site.
    • The page does not establish statewide permission for long-term or residential RV occupancy outside state park campgrounds.

    maximum stay, Memorial Day to Labor Day: 14 consecutive nights · maximum stay, remainder of year: 21 consecutive nights · equipment-removal interval between reservations: 48 hours · maximum sleeping units per campsite: 2 units (Only one may be wheeled.) · maximum non-family occupancy: 5 persons per site (One family unit is permitted instead.)

    “maximum of two sleeping units are permitted per campsite, of which only one may be wheeled.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Temporary camping at Pennsylvania state park campgrounds.
      “Campers may camp for up to 21 consecutive nights”
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    Pennsylvania counties adopting and enforcing zoning ordinances on unincorporated land.

    • The Municipalities Planning Code defines county for this authority as any county of the second class through eighth class.
    • County zoning power is limited to land in municipalities wholly or partly within the county that have no zoning ordinance in effect when the county ordinance is introduced and until the municipality's zoning ordinance becomes effective.
    • A municipality's later zoning ordinance repeals the county zoning ordinance pro tanto within that municipality.
    “Section 602. County Powers.--The powers of the governing bodies of counties to enact, amend and repeal zoning ordinances shall be limited to land in those municipalities, wholly or partly within the county, which have no zoning ordinance in effect at the time a zoning ordinance is introduced before the governing body of the county and until the municipality's zoning ordinance is in effect.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — A general owner-builder exemption from Pennsylvania UCC permitting, inspection, or occupancy requirements for construction in Venango County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Venango County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory-dwelling occupancy in Venango County, including unincorporated areas.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Venango County.

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.

Living off-grid in Venango County, Pennsylvania

Is Venango County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Venango County scores 83/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and manageable long-term carry cost.

Do you need a building permit in Venango County, Pennsylvania?

Venango County generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Municipal Sewage Enforcement Officer (local agency) under PA DEP Act 537. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Venango County, Pennsylvania?

Land in Venango County runs about $4,234 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Venango County?

Venango County gets about 45.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 0% of years.

How remote is Venango County?

A representative private-land location has about 6,429 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,096,564 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Venango compares in Pennsylvania

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