Building Permits and Contractor Information

NO WORK IS TO COMMENCE WITHOUT POSSESSION OF A PERMIT.

Important Notices:

If you are completing work in the Downtown Zone (Historic District) or on a Historic Landmark, you must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness. For more information, please visit our Historical Architecture Review Board site.

If you are completing work in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), you will be required to obtain a Floodplain Review for your project. For more information, please visit our Floodplain Management site

Fees Schedule for Permits, Inspections, and Plan Reviews

As of January 1, 2023, the following reduced fee schedules will be in place for all Permits, Inspections, and Plan Review, as per FOC #38, 2022

Permit Fee Schedule

 | Cost | Fee
 | $1 to $300 | $30
 | $301 to $600 | $40
 | $601 to $1,000 | $50
 | $1,001 to $75,000 | $50 for the first $1,000 plus $15 for each additional thousand
 | $75,001 to $500,000 | $1,185 for the first $76,000 plus $14 for each additional thousand
 | Over $500,000 | $7,148 for the first $501,000 plus $13 for each additional thousand

• The permit fee does not include the additional state fee, currently $4.50, as per Act 45 of 1999.
• The permit fee is based on the cost of proposed labor and materials as follows. All costs are rounded off to the next higher thousand.

Inspection Fee Schedule

1. Building

Residential

• New Stand-Alone Construction _______ $33.00 plus $0.0935 per square foot of GFA*

• Additions, Alterations, Remodeling & Repairs

• Under $500,000 _______ 0.825% of total construction cost

• $500,000 to $1,000,000_______$4,125.00 plus 0.6875% of total over $500,000

• Over $1,000,000 _______$7,562.50 plus 0.55% of total over $1,000,000

• Utility & miscellaneous, such as sheds, decks, fences, pools, towers, concrete slabs, retaining

walls, etc. _______0.825% of total construction cost

• Demolition (Residential) _______$41.25

• Minimum Inspection Rate _______ $41.25

Commercial & Industrial

• New Stand-Alone Construction _______ $41.25 plus $0.1485 per square foot of GFA*

• Additions, Alterations, Remodeling & Repairs

• Under $500,000_______0.825% of total construction cost

• $500,000 to $1,000,000 _______$4,125.00 plus 0.6875% of total over $500,000

• Over $1,000,000 _______ $7,562.50 plus 0.55% of total over $1,000,000

• Utility & miscellaneous, such as sheds, decks, fences, pools, towers, concrete slabs, retaining

walls, etc. _______ 0.825% of total construction cost

• Demolition (Commercial) _______ $0.0275 per square foot

• Signs & Structural Buildings _______ $13.75 plus $1.10 per square foot

• Minimum Inspection Rate _______ $41.25

B. Plumbing

• For the first $1,000 on the permit _______ $33.00

• For every additional $1,000 on the permit _______$5.50 per $1,000

• Minimum Inspection Rate (Residential) _______$41.25

• Minimum Inspection Rate (Commercial) _______$41.25

C. Mechanical

• For the first $1,000 on the permit _____ $33.00

• For every additional $1,000 on the permit _______$5.50 per $1,000

• Minimum Inspection Rate (Residential) _______$41.25

• Minimum Inspection Rate (Commercial) _______$41.25

D. Electrical

Residential

• For the first $1,000 on the permit _______ $41.25

• For every additional $1,000 on the permit _______ $8.25 per $1,000

• Minimum Inspection Rate (Residential) _______$41.25

Commercial & Industrial

• Under $500,000_______0.825% of total construction cost

• $500,000 to $1,000,000 _______ $4,125.00 plus 0.6875% of total over $500,000

• Over $1,000,000 _______ $7,562.50 plus 0.55% of total over $1,000,000

• Minimum Inspection Rate _______ $41.25

E. Note

*GFA – Gross floor area defined as the total square footage of all floors within the perimeter of the

outside walls, including basements, cellars, garages, roofed patios, breezeways, covered walkways and

attics with floor to ceiling height of 6’6″ or more.

 Plan Review Fee Schedule

• Plan review up to $3,000,000 _______ 0.000715 X cost of building ($137.50 minimum)

• Plan review $3,000,000 to $6,000,000 _______ $2,145.00 plus 0.000275 x amount over $3,000,000

• Plan review over $6,000,000 _______ $2,970.00 plus 0.00022 x amount over $6,000,0000

• Plan review for electrical _______ 25% of building fee

• Plan review for mechanica1 _______ 25% of building fee

• Plan review for plumbing, _______ 25% of building fee

• Plan review for energy_______25% of building fee

• Plan review for accessibility _______ 25% of building fee

• Sprinkler review by number of heads _______ 1 to 100 = $151.25

101 to 200 = $178. 75

201 to 300 = $192.50

301 to 400 = $206.25

401 to 500 = $233. 75

501 and over= $275.00 + $0.1815 per head

Special consideration will be given when computing plan reviews for buildings such as large warehouses or

indoor recreation facilities because of their plan review simplicity.

---

Building Permit Requirements

All construction projects in the City require a permit. Cost of permits vary based on the size and scope of the project. For example, the homeowner or their licensed contractor can obtain a permit to change the current windows and doors in a home without paying a fee because it is considered “alteration” or “remodeling.” However, if the project is to change the location of the windows or doors changes, there would be a fee because that is considered construction.

Any application should be submitted to the city 4 to 90 days before the project begins. The time frame for issuance of the permit is based on the size and scope of the projects and amount of trades involved, or if any additional review is required before issuance. It is vital that the applications are filled out to completion. If you improperly fill out the permit applications, i.e. missing or omitted information, failing to provide the scope of the project with required plans, home owner or contractor information, etc. the permit will be denied and sent back. This will result in a longer wait time to begin the project for both the client and contractor. Once your permit is approved, it must be posted in the front of the worksite to be easily visible from the street.

Doing work without a permit or commencing work prior to obtaining the permit, will result in the fee for the job being doubled.

Permits will only be issued between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm on weekdays. Applications for permits received between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm on weekdays will not be processed until the next business day, at the earliest.  Upon submission, the Department is responsible to issue a decision on all permit applications within 30 business days for commercial permits and 15 business days for residential permits.

---

Historical Review

If you are doing any exterior work within the Downtown Scranton Historic District, a Certificate of Appropriateness must be granted for your project by the Historic Architecture Review Board. Any persons who fail to comply with any of the HARB Requirements or who conduct activities in violation of a permit or a Certificate of Appropriateness issued, or who shall, without having applied for and received an appropriate permit, conduct activities for which a permit is required, shall be guilty of a summary offense punishable by a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars ($300.) per day, plus costs, or imprisonment for a period of up to ninety (90) days if such fine and costs be not paid. Each day that a violation continues unabated shall be deemed a separate offense.

---

Floodplain Review

All new construction in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is required to be in full compliance with current Floodplain Management Regulations. Generally, all new construction (commercial and residential) will be required to be flood proofed or elevated 18” above the base flood elevation.

Improvements to existing structures are also required to be in full compliance with current flood control regulations. However, improvement projects are subject to a substantial improvement review and determination. When the cost of structure improvements exceeds 50% of the value of the structure, the project is considered a substantial improvement. Once a substantial improvement is determined, the owner is required to make additional flood control improvements to bring the structure into compliance with the ordinance.

FEMA defines development as any manmade change to the floodplain and, as a participant in the NFIP, we are required to maintain documentation and records of all floodplain development. So whether you are performing small improvements, such as putting up a fence, or embarking on a large construction project, please contact the Floodplain Manager to discuss how the Floodplain Management Regulations applies to your specific project.

---

Contractor Requirements

All work within the City is to be completed by an insured licensed contactor with experience, knowledge, and a general understanding of the nature of work to be preformed. You can apply for a Contractors License here.

Residential work requires either a Home Improvement Contractor License, while any other work done on a multi-family residential (3+ units), commercial, demolition, industrial, et. al. requires a General Contractors License. Plan Reviews for residential and commercial projects are completed by NEIC, the City’s contracted Third Party Agency. Please note that the Department does not handle or issue Business Licensing.

You must complete the Building Permit Application to begin any building project in the City of Scranton along with any necessary trade subcode forms as it applies to the project.

---

Requirements for Contractor Licensing for the City of Scranton:

Contractor License Requirements – All Licenses (except Home Improvement Contractors)

{1) Name

(2) Address

(3) Business name and address, if applicable

(4) Date of Birth

(5) Photo ID

(6) Indemnification Statement

·       Statement indemnifying and holding harmless the City, its officers, and its employees of and from any and all damages caused by any negligence in pursuing and protecting the Contractor’s work, or by any unfaithful, imperfect or inadequate work done by virtue of the license issued to them.

(7) Disclosure Statement

·       Disclosure and explanation of any active, pending, or prior litigation regarding the contractor’s performance; of any active, pending, or prior contractor license revocation or suspension by the City or any other jurisdiction; and of any active, pending, or prior insurance claims against the contractor; or

·       Statement affirming that such disclosure is not applicable to the contractor.

(8) Insurance Information (Master and Specialty Contractors only)

·       Certificate of insurance proving general liability, property damage, and public liability insurance amounting to $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per occurrence; and

·       Proof of workers’ compensation insurance; or an affidavit that the contractor does not employ other individuals and is not required to carry workers’ compensation insurance

{9) Unsworn Affidavit

·       “I verify that the foregoing facts are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to penalties of 18 P.A.C.S §4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.”

(10) Fee payment

Master Contractor Licenses. 

Initial Applications for Master Contractor licenses shall consist of either Option A or Option B, as follows.

(1) Master Option A:

(a) All Minimum Requirements

(b) Exam Results demonstrating a passing score on a UCC exam or ICC exam in the relevant subject

(2) Master Option B:

(a) All Minimum Requirements

(b) Reference Letter from a contractor for whom the Contractor was or is employed

(c) Reference Letter from an inspector-ICC- or UCC-certified in the relevant field–who has inspected work done by the Contractor

(d) Reference Letter from a licensed design professional, such as an engineer or architect, who has worked with Contractor

(e) Proof of 4 years of practical experience:

(i) Proof of 4 years of practical experience in contracting work, by providing W-2 or 1099 forms; or

(ii) Proof of2 years of practical experience in contracting work, by providing W-2 or 1099 forms, and proof of 4 years of post-secondary education covering contracting work; or

(iii) A combination of 2 or more years of practical experience and post-secondary education covering contracting work, with each year of education equaling half a year of practical experience.

Specialty Contractor Licenses

Initial Applications for Specialty Contractor Licenses shall consist of either Option A or Option B, as follows:

(1) Specialty Option A:

(a) All Minimum Requirements

(b) Exam Results demonstrating a passing score on a UCC exam or ICC exam in the relevant subject

(2) Specialty Option B:

{a) All Minimum Requirements

(b) Proof of experience in the relevant contracting work, which shall include 2 Reference Letters

Home Improvement Contractors

Initial Applications for Specialty Contractor Licenses shall consist of the following:

(1) All Minimum Requirements

(2) Copy of the Contractor’s Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration certificate

(3) Reference Letter from an employer or client

(4) Fee payment

(5) Any additional information requested by the Bureau

Non-Master Contractor Licenses

(1)    Journeyperson

Initial Applications for Journeyperson Licenses shall consist of either Option A or Option B, as follows.

(a) Journeyperson Option A:

(i) All Minimum Requirements

(ii) Proof of successful completion of an apprenticeship program through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship.

(b) Journeyperson Option B:

(i) All Minimum Requirements

(ii) Proof of 2 years of practical experience in contracting work

(iii) Reference Letter from an employer

(iv) Exam results, certificate of completion, or diploma from an accredited trade school

(2) Apprentice

Initial Applications for all Contractors shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(a) All Minimum Requirements

(b) Proof of current enrollment in an apprenticeship program through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship.

Renewals

After submitting an Initial Application that resulted in the Contractor receiving a Contractor License, a Renewal Application shall consist of the following:

(1) Master and Specialty Contractors.

(a) City of Scranton Contractor License number

(b) Updated Insurance Information

(c) Any changes in the information on file with the Bureau

(d) Unsworn Affidavit

(e) Fee payment

(f) Master Electrical Contractors only: proof of 8 hours of Continuing Educational Units (CEUs) from an organization deemed acceptable by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry

(g) Any additional information requested by the Bureau

(2) Home Improvement Contractors.

(a) City of Scranton Contractor License number

(b) Copy of the most recent Contractor’s Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor registration certificate

(c) Any changes in the information on file with the Bureau

(d) Unsworn Affidavit

(e) Fee payment

(f) Any additional information requested by the Bureau

(3) Non-Master Contractors.

(a) City of Scranton Contractor License number

(b) Any changes in the information on file with the Bureau

(c) Unsworn Affidavit

(d) Fee payment

(e) Any additional information requested by the Bureau

Due Dates

Initial Applications and One-time Applications must be submitted and approved prior to performing any work governed by the UCC or applying for any permit. Renewal Applications shall be due prior to being approved for a permit that calendar year or by March 31, whichever comes first. A Late Fee shall be added to any Renewal Application received after March 31.

Contractor License Fees 

A. Master and Specialty Contractors

(1) Initial Application, Option A: $225.00

(2) Initial Application, Option B: $250.00

(3) Renewal Application: $175.00

(4) Late Fee: $50.00

B. Home Improvement Contractors

(1) Initial Application: $150.00

(2) Renewal Application: $125.00

(3) Late Fee: $50.00

C. Non-Master Contractors

(1) Journeyperson Initial Application: $50.00

(2) Journeyperson Renewal Application: $25.00

(3) Apprentice Initial Application: $25.00

(4) Apprentice Renewal Application: $25.00

(5) Late Fee: $25.00

D. Multiple Types of Contractor Licenses

(1) Second Initial Application: 20% discount

(2) Second Renewal Application: 20% discount

(3) Third and Subsequent Initial Applications: 30% discount each

(4) Third and Subsequent Initial Applications: 30% discount each

---