Do I Need a Zoning Permit?


A zoning permit is required for:

  • (1) A change in use of land or structure;
  • (2) The placement, erection, construction, improvement, or alteration of a structure, or portion thereof, including a fence, that has a fair market value exceeding $500, except that a zoning permit shall be required prior to all construction or development located in the Floodplain Overlay and the Airport Hazard Overlay, regardless of cost;
  • (3) The alteration or improvement of any existing structure, where such improvement or alteration thereof increases the amount of space enclosed by the structure;
  • (4) The alteration or development of any improved or unimproved real estate; and
  • (5) The erection or alteration of any signs specified in Article 8, except for those specifically exempted from permit.

Common projects needing a zoning permit include:

  • Building a deck.
  • Building a patio.
  • Constructing a pergola or trellis.
  • Building a shed, or having a prefab shed installed on your property.
  • Enclosing an existing screened-in porch.
  • Building a roof over an existing deck.
  • Building/installing a fence.
  • Finishing an unfinished basement.
  • Finishing an unfinished attic.
  • Starting a business at your residence.
  • Construction/installation of above-ground and in-ground swimming pools.

b. No zoning permit shall be required for the following: (although a building permit may be required)

  • (1) The placement, erection, construction, improvement, or alteration of a structure, or portion thereof, including a fence, that has a fair market value of less than $500, except that a zoning permit shall be required prior to all construction or development located in the Floodplain Overlay and the Airport Hazard Overlay, regardless of cost;
  • (2) Ordinary repair to existing structures, except signs;
  • (3) Light fixtures for single-family and two-family dwellings complying with the provisions of Section 5.10;
  • (4) Sidewalks or walkways on grade;
  • (5) Sidewalk or walkway steps, when not connected to a building, porch, deck, or other part of a building or structure;
  • (6) Handrails along sidewalk or walkway steps;
  • (7) Flagpoles of the display of official government flags of the United States and its political subdivisions placed on lots containing single-family and two-family dwellings, provided that such flagpoles do not exceed the maximum height limitations for the underlying zoning district;
  • (8) Vegetation, including trees, landscaping, and vegetative buffering;
  • (9) Landscaping materials, excluding patios, decks, and porches;
  • (10) Decorative lawn ornaments and walls not exceeding 32 inches in height;
  • (11) Children’s play yards, trampolines, treehouses, and swing sets placed in the rear or side of a lot containing a dwelling;
  • (12) Stormwater management facilities;
  • (13) Traffic control devices located within a public right-of-way or governmental easement;
  • (14) Utility structures not exceeding seven (7) feet in height, including emergency call stations, except that wireless communication facilities and lighting poles for recreational uses shall require permitting;
  • (15) Railroad sidings;
  • (16) Public transit stops involving surface improvements only;
  • (17) Signs specifically exempted from permit; and
  • (18) Temporary construction buildings or trailers as permitted in Section 5.19, Subsection A.

c. A zoning permit shall only be issued when it is deemed that the proposed use or improvement is in conformity with:

  • (1) All applicable regulations of this Ordinance;
  • (2) Any conditions imposed upon the site by the City of Scranton Zoning Hearing Board or the Scranton City Council; and
  • (3) Any recorded subdivision or land development plan, when specifically required by the adopted subdivision and land development regulations of the City of Scranton.

Comments are closed.

Skip to content