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

Damascus Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA: new construction and additions, alterations or repairs to existing buildings

  • Permit is required before construction proceeds; the township uses a single-permit system covering building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work.
  • Zoning permit may be filed concurrently; zoning permits are valid for 18 months from the issue date.
  • Building permit applications require two complete sets of plans; the township page lists the building code official as Bob Bates Inspections.

  zoning permit validity: 18 months

  “generally any new construction, or any addition, alteration or repair to an existing building (including roof reconstruction, fireplaces, swimming pools, attached carports, attached garages, accessory buildings over 1000 square feet, etc.) requires a building permit.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  New construction, additions, alterations and repairs inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA

  • The township's permit guide says construction must comply with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code; the township ordinances page also lists a building code enactment ordinance (not opened).
  • The Northern Wayne Council of Government has established a board of appeals for building code matters (permit information PDF).

  “construction projects must comply with the pennsylvania uniform construction codes.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Construction under a Damascus township building permit inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA

  • A final inspection is made after finish grading and when the building is completed and ready for occupancy.
  • The building inspector may require other inspections of any construction work.

  “final inspection: to be made after finish grading and the building is completed and ready for occupancy.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings constructed under a Damascus township building permit inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA

  • The township issues the certificate of occupancy upon a successful final inspection.
  • Occupancy is not allowed until the certificate is issued.

  “no occupancy is allowed until the certificate of occupancy has been issued.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA: the township adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance (zoning map and zoning ordinance listed on the township ordinances page; zoning permits issued by the township zoning office).

  • The township ordinances page states that its copies are not official documents and that formal documents must be obtained from the township municipal building.
  • Zoning requirements must be met before a building permit is issued.
  • Zoning hearing board and planning commission approvals may be required for some projects (see permit information PDF).

  “zoning map zoning ordinance zoning ordinance ccd amendment”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Sewage disposal (septic) systems for land inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA

  • The township's sewage enforcement officer is named on the township about page; the township ordinances page also lists a sewage facilities ordinance (not opened).

  “sewage enforcement officer christopher r. martin thursdays 9:00 am to 12:00 pm 570.470.9502”

• Septic permitRequired

  Building projects inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA that involve a sewage disposal system

  • A sewage disposal permit must be obtained and a copy submitted with the building permit application.
  • The permit guide's sample list also asks for septic location on site plans.

  “highway occupancy (driveway) permit and sewage disposal permit are required and copies of each must be submitted.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA

  • Projects requiring land development review or a conditional use need planning approval before a building permit (permit guide, step 1).

  “subdivision and land development ordinance subdivision and land development ordinance amendment”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway access onto a road for a building project inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA

  • A highway occupancy (driveway) permit must be obtained and a copy submitted with the building permit application.
  • The permit guide does not identify which agency issues the highway occupancy permit.

  “highway occupancy (driveway) permit and sewage disposal permit are required and copies of each must be submitted.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building and zoning permit fees inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA

  • The township ordinances page lists a fee schedule; its amounts were not opened and are not reported here.

  “planning, permit, construction and general fee schedule”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permit process inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA

  • Residential applications are reviewed within five working days; commercial within fifteen working days.
  • Projects needing planning commission or zoning hearing board action must apply for that approval first or concurrently.

  residential review time: 5 working days

  “if no planning commission or zoning hearing board action is required the building permit will be processed in a timely manner.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a homeowner building their own home inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for single-family residential and rural districts inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA
• Setbacks — Setbacks for residential districts inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits inside Damascus township, Wayne County, PA

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.