Code Enforcement

Contact the Code Enforcement Office to discuss the code requirements for your project. The Permit Clerk team will guide you through the development process and let you know if you need to apply for permits and submit plans. This should be done prior to any permit or plan submittal.

The first major step in the Permitting Process is to determine if you comply with the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. If your project is a permitted use and complies with all requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, you will receive zoning approval. If your project requires a special exception or conditional use, you will need to appear before the Zoning Hearing Board or Scranton City Council, respectively, to receive zoning approval. If your project is not allowed, but you believe it qualifies as a hardship case, you may apply for a variance. In addition, some small projects, like fences, sheds, and pools, may still require zoning approval even if you do not need a building permit.For more information about zoning, please click here.

If your project is located in a Historic District, or if your building is a Historic Landmark, the project will be required to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historical Architecture Review Board. This is done to ensure that the historical character of the building is not changed. Any and all work affecting general design, arrangement, texture and material, even if a building permit is not required, but obtain approval from the Historic Preservation staff.

If your project is located within a Flood Zone, as identified by the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map, then it will be subject to review by the Floodplain Administrator. Any project in a flood zone or floodway that includes a substantial improvement (50% or more of the market value) will be required to be elevated or floodproofed to FEMA standards. If you are building a new structure, completing a substantial improvement, either within a Special Flood Hazard Area, you are required to submit an Elevation Certificate, completed by an Engineer, Surveyor, or other professional authorized to complete the form.

The majority of permit applications are for simple projects that do not require extensive plan review. In these instances, permits can be issued immediately. If your project requiring the Code Official and other professional to review your plans, it may take several days to complete the plan review and to receive your permit. Commercial plans must be reviewed by our approved 3rd party plan review agency, NEIC. Please call to schedule an appointment with our Plan Review staff prior to coming to the counter for drop off. If your project involves land development or subdivision, approval from the City Planning Commission will also be required, in addition to Code Enforcement Review.

After your permit application is approved by the Building Code Official, you will pay for and pick up/print out your permit. The permit is the document granting legal permission to start construction. You must post the permit in an area visible from the street. Please note, if you are erecting an external sign for your business, you must also apply for a Sign Permit for the initial installation.

An inspector will reach out to request an inspection for the work you have completed. The inspectors will meet on site of the requested building inspection. Upon completion, the inspector will issue an inspection report with violations (if any) noted and a time frame in which the violations shall be remedied. If noted violations are found, you must use licensed Contractors in the City of Scranton to obtain necessary permits to perform the work.

When you complete your project, and pass the final inspection, the inspector will mail a Certificate of Occupancy to you.

For prospective eating and drinking establishments, in addition to the above listed requirements, you are required to obtain an Eating and Drinking/ Health License. You need to acquire an application for an eating and drinking license. The food/drink establishment must pass a full health inspection. A Health License will not be issued until the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy by the Building Code Official.

The Health Inspector can be reached at 570-348-4193 x 4522 during normal business hours Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

If you have successfully completed all of the above, you are finished with Scranton’s permit process!

Please note, if your project is a commercial business or organization, you may need annual licenses depending on the type of business, if you operate an external sign, or other factors. Check with our Code Enforcement office if you have any questions.