Code Enforcement
The Bureau of Code Enforcement enforces building and property codes to support a healthy, safe, and vibrant community for Scranton residents.
Thomas Oleski, Director and Building Code Official
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Phone:
570.348.4193
Email:
toleski@scrantonpa.gov
Who Should I Contact?
If you have questions or concerns contact one of the below numbers:
- Permits, Licenses, or Inspections: 570.348.4193
- Animal Control: 570.348.4134 ext. 8217
- Contact the Scranton Police Department’s Non-Emergency Line for all other violations: 570.348.4141
Depending on the scope of your project, you may need to work with multiple departments. See our permit process below.
For help locating information on this database, contact the Bureau of Ride & Measurement Standards at 717.787.9089
Do I Need a Permit?
All construction projects in the City require a permit. No Work is to Commence Without Possession of a Permit.
Cost of permits vary based on the size and scope of the project. In addition, all work within the City is to be completed by an insured licensed contractor with experience, knowledge, and a general understanding of the nature of work to be performed.
Our Building Codes
Effective January 1, 2026, all plans must be submitted under ICC codes 2021.
The City of Scranton enforces the 2021 International Code Council (ICC) Series, as Modified by the PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC) Review and Advisory Council.
- 2024 International Property Maintenance Code
- 2021 International Residential Code
- 2021 International Building Code
- 2021 International Existing Building Code
- 2021 International Plumbing Code
- 2021 International Mechanical Code
- 2021 International Fire Code
- 2021 International Energy Code
- 2021 International Fuel Gas Code
- 2020 National Electric Code
- 2017 ANSI 117.1
- 2021 International Building Code Chapter 11 ONLY
Our Permit Process
The following is the workflow for a building permit submitted to the Code Enforcement Office.
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.
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 flood proofed 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, Ext. 4522 during normal business hours Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions on Permits:
Almost everything. Contact the Code Enforcement Office before any work is started.
Painting inside/outside of homes and gutter installation do not require permits.
Please note, if your building is a Historical Landmark or in a Historic District, you may still need a Certificate of Appropriateness.
It depends on the cost of the materials and labor. Please visit Building Permits and Contractor Information for the latest permit fee schedule.
If the homeowner is doing the work, then the homeowner is allowed to pull the permit. If a contractor is doing the work, then the contractor must pull the permit.
One to two business days. Exceptions may occur.
Questions on Contractors and Licenses:
Yes. Contact Code Enforcement to verify current licenses.
Home Improvement, General Contracting, Plumbing, Journeyman and Master, Electrical, Boiler and Mechanical all require testing. Testing is done twice a year, once in April and once in October.
Applications are available approximately 2 months prior.
It depends on the type of license and requirements used during application. Please visit Building Permits and Contractor Information for the latest contractor license fee schedule.
As of January 1, 2023, the City of Scranton no longer requires a city-issued Dog License. You will need to license your dog with the State or County.
More information can be found at www.padoglicenses.com
Yes. A certificate of insurance is required for all licenses.
Questions on Reporting and Violations:
You can click here to file an online complaint, email scranton311@scrantonpa.gov, or call 570.348.4101
Yes. Document the time and work being done along with the exact address. Contacting this office while work is being done will result in more immediate action.
Questions on Certificates of Occupancy:
Yes. All construction of new business requires a certificate. The cost is $350.00.
Yes. All new home construction requires a certificate. The cost is $250.00.
Yes. It is currently available on our OpenGov Citizens Services Portal.
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