Bolthole Index

Washington County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in North Franklin Township, Pennsylvania

North Franklin Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania has its own zoning ordinance, Chapter 460, adopted in 20181. Building work falls under Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code, which the township has adopted as its building code2. Septic permits come from a Pennsylvania local agency under Act 537; the township's own materials do not say which one, so confirm with the township office3.

At a glance

Zoning
Township zoning (Chapter 460) with R-1 and R-2 districts14
Building permit
Required under the Uniform Construction Code, which the township has adopted25
Floodplain permit
Required before construction or development anywhere in the township6
Septic permit
Issued by a local agency under Act 537; confirm which one with the township7
Lot size on existing farms (R-1)
House lots of 1 to 2 acres8
Subdivision
Township Chapter 390 rules plus Washington County Planning Commission review910
Private wells
No state permit for homeowners drilling their own well11

Who to call

Building permits

North Franklin Township building code official and zoning officer (Municipal Consulting Service, LLC)

Building permits for new construction, renovation and demolition, and zoning permit applications

(724) 263-0377

[email protected]

345 Franklin Farms Road, Washington, PA 15301

Also useful

North Franklin Township Municipal Building

General township office, subdivision and zoning applications, and the first call for septic questions

(724) 228-3330

345 Franklin Farms Road, Washington, PA 15301

Planning & zoning

Washington County Planning Commission

Mandatory county review of subdivision and land development plans

(724) 228-6811

95 W Beau St, Washington, PA 15301

Septic permits

Pennsylvania DEP 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 North Franklin Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does North Franklin Township, PA have zoning, and what does it mean for your lot?

North Franklin Township, Washington County, has its own zoning ordinance, Chapter 460, adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 20181. The published chapter includes at least an R-1 Residential Agricultural District and an R-2 Low-Density Residential District4. Washington County does not zone; its Planning Commission tells people to direct zoning questions to the municipality where the property sits12.

Lot size depends on the district. In R-1, house lots on farms that existed when Chapter 460 was enacted run from 1 acre minimum to 2 acres maximum, and they follow the township's Chapter 390 subdivision rules89. That limit does not govern other new single-family development, which follows the cluster-housing and open-space provisions8.

We could not confirm township rules on RV living, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, manufactured homes or minimum house size. Ask the zoning officer before you buy.

Do you need a building permit in North Franklin Township, and who issues it?

Yes. North Franklin Township has adopted Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code as its Municipal Building Code2, and the state requires a building permit before construction or building work begins13. A certificate of occupancy is required before a covered building can be used14.

The township's website lists building permits for new construction, renovation and demolition, and names a building code official and zoning officer under contract with the township15. Fees are set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, so ask for the current schedule16.

Some work is excluded from the code: agricultural buildings without habitable space, and qualifying recreational cabins with a filed affidavit, are the two statewide exclusions. Neither makes a permanent dwelling permit-free1718. Zoning and floodplain rules still apply to an excluded building19.

Who handles zoning and building permits in North Franklin Township?

The township does, not Washington County. Contact the township building code official and zoning officer for building permits and zoning permit applications15. The Municipal Building at 345 Franklin Farms Road takes forms and general questions20.

The Washington County Planning Commission only reviews subdivision and land-development plans before the township approves them, and it does not check compliance with local zoning10.

Is there a floodplain permit in North Franklin Township?

Yes, and it reaches further than the name suggests. The township's floodplain chapter makes it unlawful to undertake construction or development anywhere in the township without a permit from the floodplain administrator21. Minor repairs to existing buildings are excluded6. Applications are made in writing on township forms, with extra information required for sites in an identified floodplain22. The administrator inspects during and after the work as needed23.

For sites in a floodplain, the building permit also needs flood documentation sealed by a registered design professional24. This floodplain permit is separate from the building permit, so ask the township office for both.

How do septic permits work in North Franklin Township?

Pennsylvania delegates on-lot septic permits to local agencies, which may be a municipality, a group of municipalities or a county or joint health department3. A permit is required before installing or using an on-lot system serving a building25. The township's own code, as we read it, does not name which agency issues those permits here, so ask the township office who the sewage enforcement officer is20. The state's regional office oversees the program for Washington County26.

Soils are a real constraint. Only a small share of Washington County soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system27. The state exempts some owner-occupied systems on contiguous tracts of at least 10 acres, subject to conditions, so a large tract may change the answer25.

What are the steps to build a home in North Franklin Township, in order?

  1. Ask the township office and zoning officer which district the parcel is in and whether the use you plan is allowed420.
  2. Check the floodplain: construction anywhere in the township needs the floodplain administrator's permit6.
  3. Find the local septic agency and book a site evaluation3.
  4. If you are splitting a lot, contact the township first, then submit three paper copies to the Washington County Planning Commission, which has 30 days to review28.
  5. Apply for the building permit through the building code official15.
  6. Get the required inspections and a certificate of occupancy before moving in14.
  7. If your driveway meets a state highway, a PennDOT highway occupancy permit is needed29.

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

Washington County reviews subdivision and land-development plans for landslides, wetlands, flooding, mine subsidence and natural heritage areas30. For land outside the township, see the Washington County page.

Pennsylvania has no construction standards for private water wells, and homeowners drilling their own well on their own land do not need a driller license11. Washington County's effective property tax rate is 1.1%31. About 59% of the county is wooded and 38% of it sits at a slope of 15% or less, which matters for building sites3233.

Watch-outs

  • Chapter 460's zoning has not been confirmed to address RVs, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or manufactured homes, so ask the zoning officer before buying land for any of them1.
  • The township's floodplain permit applies to construction or development anywhere in North Franklin Township, not only mapped flood zones6.
  • Septic is not handled by the township's building office as far as we could confirm; find the local sewage agency before you close3.

Sources

  1. Chapter 460: Zoning - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 142: Construction Codes, Uniform - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Municipal On Lot Sewage Service Areas, quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 460: Zoning - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. PA Dept. of Labor & Industry — Uniform Construction Code (2026 county census)
  6. Chapter 205: Floodplain Management - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Municipal On Lot Sewage Service Areas, quoted and re-checked
  8. Article III: Residential Agricultural District - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Article III: Residential Agricultural District - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Washington County Planning Commission Subdivision and Land Development Review Policy, quoted and re-checked
  11. Apply for a Water Well Drillers License and Rig Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Subdivision & Land Development Review, quoted and re-checked
  13. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  14. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  15. North Franklin Township building code official and zoning officer (Municipal Consulting Service, LLC) (northfranklin.org)
  16. Chapter 142: Construction Codes, Uniform - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Pennsylvania Construction Code Act — Chapter 1 (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. pa.gov, quoted and re-checked
  19. Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, quoted and re-checked
  20. North Franklin Township Municipal Building (northfranklin.org)
  21. Chapter 205: Floodplain Management - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  22. Chapter 205: Floodplain Management - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  23. Chapter 205: Floodplain Management - Township of North Franklin, PA (North Franklin Township), quoted and re-checked
  24. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  25. 25 Pa. Code § 72.22. Permit issuance (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Pennsylvania DEP Southwest Regional Office (pa.gov)
  27. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Subdivision and Land Development Procedures in Washington County, quoted and re-checked
  29. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  30. Washington County Planning Commission (washingtoncopa.gov)
  31. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Share of land at 15% slope or less: 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 North Franklin Township

North Franklin Township’s own rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Any construction or development inside North Franklin Township requiring the Township floodplain permit.

    • Minor repairs to existing buildings or structures do not require the floodplain permit.
    • This claim establishes the Township floodplain permit requirement and does not establish the full UCC building-permit threshold.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere within the Township of North Franklin unless a permit has been obtained from the floodplain administrator.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside North Franklin Township.

    • The incorporated Uniform Construction Code is amended from time to time.
    “The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the Municipal Building Code of this municipality.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Construction performed under a North Franklin Township floodplain permit.

    • The floodplain administrator or authorized official performs inspections during construction and upon completion as necessary.
    • This does not establish inspection requirements for every UCC-regulated project.
    “During the construction period, the floodplain administrator or other authorized official shall inspect the premises to determine that the work is progressing in compliance with the information provided on the permit application and with all applicable municipal laws and ordinances. He/she shall make as many inspections during and upon completion of the work as are necessary.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside North Franklin Township.

    • Chapter 460 was adopted by the Township Board of Supervisors on September 11, 2018, as stated in its history.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of North Franklin 9-11-2018 by Ord. No. 1-2018. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside North Franklin Township.

    • The published zoning chapter includes at least the R-1 Residential Agricultural District and R-2 Low-Density Residential District.
    “Article III Residential Agricultural District [...] Article IV R-2 Low-Density Residential District”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    House lots created from farms existing at enactment of the zoning chapter, inside North Franklin Township.

    • The requirement applies to house lots created under § 460-303's farm-development provisions.
    “House lots created under this section will be subject to the Township's subdivision regulations are provided in Chapter 390, Subdivision and Land Development.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction or development anywhere inside North Franklin Township.

    • Minor repairs to existing buildings or structures do not require a floodplain permit.
    • The floodplain administrator may issue a permit only after determining conformance with Chapter 205 and other applicable codes and ordinances.
    • Required state and federal permits must be obtained before issuance.
    “A permit shall be required before any construction or development is undertaken within any area of the Township of North Franklin.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Uniform Construction Code administration and enforcement inside North Franklin Township.

    • Fees are established by Board of Township Supervisors resolution from time to time.
    “Fees assessable by the Township of North Franklin for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this chapter and the code shall be established by the Board of Township Supervisors by resolution from time to time.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Floodplain permit applications for construction or development inside North Franklin Township.

    • The application is in writing on Township-supplied forms.
    • For construction entirely or partially within an identified floodplain area, additional information is required.
    • This is a floodplain-permit process, not a complete general building-permit process.
    “Application for such a permit shall be made, in writing, to the floodplain administrator on forms supplied by the Township of North Franklin. Such application shall contain the following:”

Rules another office applies inside North Franklin Township

North Franklin Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    House lots on farms existing when Chapter 460 was enacted, in the R-1 Residential Agricultural District inside North Franklin Township.

    • New lots must minimize agricultural impact and maintain R-1 open-space character.
    • The source directs that new house lots follow Chapter 390 subdivision provisions.
    • The limit does not govern other new single-family development, which must follow Article VI cluster-housing and open-space-subdivision provisions.

    minimum house-lot area: >= 1 acre (House lots on existing farms) · maximum house-lot area: <= 2 acre (House lots on existing farms)

    “House lots on existing farms: one acre minimum; two acre maximum.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside North Franklin Township.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of residential construction inside North Franklin Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in the R-1 Residential Agricultural District inside North Franklin Township.
  • Lot coverage — Single-family dwellings in the R-1 Residential Agricultural District inside North Franklin Township.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside North Franklin Township.
13 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • 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 North Franklin Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Washington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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