Bolthole Index

Washington County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania

Inside Burgettstown borough, Washington County, Pennsylvania, a building permit is required before any building is erected, added to or altered1. The borough sets its own zoning under Chapter 5002. Where a property abuts the joint sewer authority's line, sewer connection is mandatory and septic is off the table34; septic permits elsewhere come from a local agency under state law5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before erecting, adding to or altering a building1
Building code
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, adopted by the borough6
Zoning
Yes, borough Chapter 500 with mapped districts27
Sewer vs septic
Sewer connection required within 150 feet of an authority line34
RV or trailer living
Only in an approved trailer camp or by special exception8
R-1 setbacks
30 ft front, 8 ft each side, 20 ft rear9
Floodplain
Permit required before any construction or development10
Septic outside sewer
Permit from the local agency under state Act 53711

Who to call

Building permits

Burgettstown Borough Office

Front desk for borough building, zoning and floodplain permit applications and questions

(724) 947-2011

[email protected]

1509 Main Street Burgettstown, PA 15021

Building permits

Burgettstown Borough Zoning Officer and Building Code Official (United Code Consultants)

Borough zoning and code enforcement; building permit application form is on the borough permits page

(724) 263-0377

134 McDonald St McDonald PA 15057

Septic permits

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Regional Office

State oversight of the Act 537 sewage program for Washington County

412-442-4000

400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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 Borough of Burgettstown means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Burgettstown, PA?

Yes. Burgettstown borough requires a building permit before a building is erected, added to or altered, before a building or land changes use, and before a nonconforming use is changed or extended1. The permit must be in hand before work starts, and the Zoning Officer must certify that the plans comply with Chapter 500 and the Uniform Construction Code before it is issued1.

The borough has adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as its building code6. Applications need plans in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the lot, existing and proposed buildings, their use and the number of dwelling units12. Once a permit is issued, the borough's agent inspects at the beginning and at completion of construction13. A certificate of use is also required before new construction or an altered building is occupied14.

Who issues building permits in Burgettstown, and how do you reach them?

Applications go to the Burgettstown Borough Office, which accepts the downloadable building permit form15. The borough office is at 1509 Main Street and answers at (724) 947-201116. The borough's permits page lists a zoning officer and a code officer working through United Code Consultants in McDonald, with a phone number of (724) 263-037715.

The borough's permits page says fees are determined when the permit is issued15. The borough's code leaves Uniform Construction Code fees to a resolution of the governing body, so ask the borough office for the current schedule17.

Does Burgettstown have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, lots and setbacks?

Yes. Burgettstown borough has its own zoning, adopted by Borough Council as Chapter 5002. The published chapter includes a zoning map and districts including R-1, R-2, Commercial, Industrial and S-1 Conservation7. Washington County itself has no countywide zoning; the municipality where a property sits enacts and administers it18.

In the R-1 Residence District, a lot served by both public water and sewer needs at least 7,500 square feet and 75 feet of width19. One- and two-family dwellings need a 30-foot front yard, side yards of at least 8 feet each (20 feet combined) and a 20-foot rear yard9. Buildings, including accessory buildings, may cover no more than 35% of an R-1 lot20, and height tops out at 35 feet unless side yards are widened21. A dwelling also needs a 12-foot-wide open access strip from the dwelling to a qualifying street, and an alley does not count22.

Trailers are not permitted in any district except an approved trailer camp or by special exception, and a special-exception temporary permit cannot exceed one year8. We could not confirm borough rules on tiny homes, accessory dwellings or short-term rentals, so ask the Zoning Officer through the borough office before relying on any of them.

How do septic permits work in Burgettstown?

In much of the borough, septic is not the question. Every owner whose property abuts a Burgettstown-Smith Township Joint Sewerage Authority sewer line must connect any building within 150 feet of it, at the owner's cost3. Septic tanks and any other sewage disposal that bypasses the authority's sewers are unlawful for owners required to connect4. Residential connections need a tapping-permit application to the authority3.

For a property that is not required to connect, Pennsylvania law has local agencies issue on-lot septic permits11. We could not confirm which agency serves Burgettstown, and Washington County has no county health department running septic countywide23. Call the borough office first, and the state Department of Environmental Protection's Southwest Regional Office, which oversees the Act 537 program for Washington County, if the borough cannot say24.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Burgettstown?

Generally not on a house lot. The borough's zoning allows a trailer only in an approved trailer camp or as a special exception, and a temporary permit for a special exception cannot exceed one year8. We could not confirm any borough rule on tiny homes, manufactured homes or temporary camping on private land, so ask the Zoning Officer through the borough office before buying with that plan.

How do you build a home in Burgettstown, step by step?

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district on the borough zoning map and check the district's lot, setback and coverage rules7.
  2. Check whether a joint sewerage authority line abuts the lot; if so, plan to connect and apply for the authority's tapping permit3.
  3. Check the flood map, because a floodplain permit is required before any construction or development in the borough10.
  4. Submit the borough building permit application with duplicate scaled plans to the borough office1215.
  5. Do not start work until the permit is issued1.
  6. Have the work inspected at the start and at completion, then obtain the certificate of use before moving in1314.

What stays with Washington County, and what should you check before buying in Burgettstown?

The county does not zone Burgettstown; the borough does18. Subdivisions and land development plans go through a mandatory review by the Washington County Planning Commission before the municipality gives final approval25. For land outside the borough, see the Washington County page.

Before buying, confirm sewer availability, flood status and the zoning district. A driveway onto a state highway needs a PennDOT highway occupancy permit26. Washington County's effective property tax rate is about 1.1%27.

Watch-outs

  • Sewer connection can be mandatory within 150 feet of an authority line, so a lot that looks like a septic site may not be one3.
  • Borough floodplain permits apply to construction or development anywhere in the borough, and state and federal permits must be obtained before one is issued10. We could not confirm an owner-builder exemption, accessory dwelling rule or well rule, so ask the borough office.
  • The borough sets building permit fees by resolution and its code states no amounts, so ask the borough office for the current fee schedule17.

Sources

  1. Article XIV Administration and Enforcement — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 500 Zoning — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  3. Article I Connection to Burgettstown-Smith Township Joint Sewer System — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  4. Article I Connection to Burgettstown-Smith Township Joint Sewer System — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  5. Municipal On Lot Sewage Service Areas, quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 216 Construction Codes, Uniform — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 500 Zoning — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  8. Article IV Supplementary Regulations — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  9. Article V R-1 Residence District — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  10. Article III Administration — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  11. Municipal On Lot Sewage Service Areas, quoted and re-checked
  12. ecode360.com (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  13. ecode360.com (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  14. Article XIV Administration and Enforcement — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  15. Burgettstown Borough Zoning Officer and Building Code Official (United Code Consultants) (burgettstownborough.com)
  16. Burgettstown Borough Office (burgettstownborough.com)
  17. Chapter 216 Construction Codes, Uniform — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  18. Washington County PA - Planning / Subdivision & Land Development (2026 county census)
  19. Article V R-1 Residence District — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  20. Article V R-1 Residence District — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  21. Article V R-1 Residence District — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  22. Article IV Supplementary Regulations — Borough of Burgettstown, PA (Borough of Burgettstown), quoted and re-checked
  23. PA DEP - Sewage Enforcement Officers (Act 537) (2026 county census)
  24. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Regional Office (pa.gov)
  25. Subdivision and Land Development Review Application, quoted and re-checked
  26. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. 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 Borough of Burgettstown

Borough of Burgettstown’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Erection, addition, alteration, use/change in use, or nonconforming-use change or extension inside Burgettstown borough.

    • The permit must be issued before work starts.
    • The Zoning Officer must certify compliance with Chapter 500 and the Uniform Construction Code before issuance.
    “Permit requirements. A building permit shall be required prior to the erection, addition, or alteration of any building or portion thereof, prior to the use or change in use of a building or land, and prior to the change or extension of a nonconforming use.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside Burgettstown borough.

    • The UCC is adopted as amended from time to time.
    “is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the Municipal Building Code”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Property for which a Borough building permit has been issued.

    • The agent or representative must inspect at the beginning and at completion of construction.
    • A construction violation must be corrected before construction proceeds.
    “It shall be the duty of the agent, or his duly appointed representative, to make the following minimum number of inspections of property for which a building permit has been issued:”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Vacant land and structures erected, structurally altered, or changed in use inside Burgettstown borough.

    • A certificate of use must be regularly issued before the specified occupation, use, or change in use.
    • For new construction or alteration it is applied for with the building-permit application and issued within 15 days after conforming completion.
    “No vacant land shall be occupied or used”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Burgettstown borough limits.

    • Chapter 500 was adopted by Borough Council; its district and use controls apply subject to its terms.
    “Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Burgettstown”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Burgettstown borough.

    • The published Chapter 500 includes zoning-district and zoning-map articles and district articles including R-1, R-2, Commercial, Industrial, and S-1 Conservation.
    “Article III Zoning Districts and Map § 500-6 Establishment of districts. § 500-7 Zoning Map.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Residential dwellings inside Burgettstown borough.

    • The applicable minimum is the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code requirement, as adopted by Borough Chapter 216.
    “minimum habitable floor area of residential dwellings”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 Residence District lots served by both public water and sanitary sewers inside Burgettstown borough.

    • For R-1 lots served by public water but not public sanitary sewers, the minimum is 15,000 square feet and 100-foot width.
    • Where a lot is not connected to public water and sanitary sewer or other Council-approved systems, the general supplementary rule requires 20,000 square feet per family and septic-drain-field open area.

    minimum lot area: >= 7500 square feet (When served by both public water and sanitary sewers.) · minimum lot width: >= 75 feet (When served by both public water and sanitary sewers.)

    “Lot area shall be not less than 7,500 square feet”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    One- and two-family dwellings in the R-1 Residence District inside Burgettstown borough.

    • Existing-building alignment may alter the front-yard result under § 500-17.

    front yard depth: >= 30 feet · side yard each minimum: >= 8 feet (Two side yards are required; their total must be at least 20 feet.) · rear yard depth: >= 20 feet

    “For one- and two-family dwellings, each lot shall have front, side and rear yards not less than the depths or widths following:”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 Residence District lots inside Burgettstown borough.

    • Includes accessory buildings.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 35 percent (All buildings, including accessory buildings.)

    “Coverage regulations. All buildings, including accessory buildings, shall not cover more than 35% of the area of the lot.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1 Residence District buildings inside Burgettstown borough.

    • Height may increase one foot for every additional foot each side yard exceeds the required minimum.
    • The general zoning rule separately requires at least one story and lists height exceptions.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (May increase one foot for each additional foot that each side yard exceeds the minimum required.)

    “No building shall be erected to a height in excess of 35 feet; provided, however, that this height may be increased one foot for each additional foot that each side yard exceeds the minimum required.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Trailers/RV-like units inside Burgettstown borough zoning districts.

    • A trailer is allowed only in an approved trailer camp or as a special exception.
    • A temporary permit is required for an authorized special exception and cannot exceed one year; extensions are addressed by the ordinance.

    temporary permit maximum period: <= 1 year (Applies when a trailer is authorized as a special exception.)

    “Trailers shall not be permitted in any district”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Properties inside Burgettstown borough required to connect to the Burgettstown-Smith Township Joint Sewerage Authority sewer system.

    • The limitation applies only to owners required to connect.
    • It prohibits septic or other sanitary-sewage disposal other than through the Authority sewer.
    “It shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or occupier of any property who is required to connect to the sanitary sewer system of said Authority to employ any means, either by septic tank or otherwise, for the disposal of sanitary sewage other than into and through the sanitary sewers of said Authority.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Properties inside Burgettstown borough that abut an Authority sanitary-sewer line and have buildings or structures within 150 feet of it.

    • Connection is at the owner's cost.
    • The rule concerns the Burgettstown-Smith Township Joint Sewerage Authority system.
    • Residential connections require an Authority tapping-permit application.

    building distance from sanitary sewer: <= 150 feet (Property must abut a line of the Burgettstown-Smith Township Joint Sewerage Authority.)

    “Every owner of property in the Borough of Burgettstown whose property abuts upon any line of the sanitary sewers of the Burgettstown-Smith Township Joint Sewerage Authority (herein called the "Authority") shall connect, at his own cost, the building, buildings or other structures located on said property that are within 150 feet of said sanitary sewers with said sanitary sewers for the purpose of disposing of all sanitary sewage as is customarily disposed of in a system of sanitary sewers.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Dwellings erected or altered inside Burgettstown borough.

    • Access must be through open space on the same lot.
    • The access must reach a qualifying public or private street/highway; an alley does not qualify.

    minimum access open-space width: >= 12 feet (Must extend from dwelling to the qualifying street or highway.)

    “Such open space shall be at least 12 feet wide”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction or development within any area of Burgettstown borough.

    • The Floodplain Administrator may issue a permit only after conformity with the chapter and other applicable codes and ordinances is determined.
    • Necessary state and federal permits must be obtained before issuance.
    • Applications carry a municipal fee based on estimated construction cost as determined by the Floodplain Administrator.
    “A permit shall be required before any construction or development is undertaken within any area of Burgettstown Borough.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Uniform Construction Code administration and enforcement inside Burgettstown borough.

    • Fees are established by Borough governing-body resolution from time to time; no amount was stated in the opened chapter.
    “shall be established by the governing body by resolution from time to time.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Borough zoning building-permit applications.

    • Applications require duplicate scale plans and the specified lot, building, use, and dwelling-unit information.
    • The agent must certify compliance with Chapter 500 and the UCC before issuance.
    “All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by plans in duplicate, drawn to scale, showing the actual shape and dimensions of the lot to be built upon, the exact size and location of any buildings existing on the lot, the lines within which the proposed building or structure shall be erected or altered, the existing and intended use of each building or part of a building, the number of families or dwelling units the building is designed to accommodate and such information as may be necessary to determine compliance with this chapter and all other pertinent ordinances.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Borough of Burgettstown or Washington County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Burgettstown borough.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Burgettstown borough.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Burgettstown borough.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Burgettstown borough.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Burgettstown borough.
7 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals

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 Borough of Burgettstown publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Washington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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