Township Permits

Township of Spring Permit Information

Please Note: The Township of Spring does not currently accept applications by email. Please remit all applications in person, by mail, or by fax only.

Permit Requirements

Building permits are required for most construction projects including but not limited to building new homes and businesses, additions, detached accessory structures, structural alterations, egress alterations, creating habitable space, building decks, roof over decks or porches, enclosing decks or porches, installing in-ground or above ground swimming pools and other mechanical, electric and plumbing repairs or alterations. A residential building permit is not required for wallpapering, painting, tiling, cabinetry, finishing work, siding, replacing shingles, and replacing same size windows and doors.

Residential Permits

For projects including building a new house, putting on an addition, making structural alterations, or installing a detached accessory structure over 1000 sq ft, please fill out the Building Permit Application. If the project includes plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work, please fill out the associated permit applications and submit along with the Building Permit Application. Three sets of construction drawings should be submitted along with the Building Application.

Residential Building Application

Mechanical Application

Please complete the mechanical application when installing and or replacing or altering heating/cooling equipment such as heaters, furnaces, boilers, water heaters, fuel burning appliances, solar thermal and geothermal mechanical appliances and ac units. Please also complete the application when building a new home, additions, or creating conditioned space.

Electrical Application

Please complete the electrical application for any projects that include installing outlets, fixtures, electrical appliances, solar electric arrays or structures, generators, panel upgrades, electrical alterations, new homes, additions, finishing basements and or other rooms or spaces.

Plumbing Application

Please complete the plumbing application when installing new plumbing fixtures, new drain lines and water lines within a house or business, and when installing or altering venting systems. Please complete the plumbing application when doing bathroom renovations, kitchen renovations, additions involving plumbing, and new homes. Note: In residential construction; swapping out an existing fixture with a brand-new fixture located in the same exact location does not require a permit.

Minor Repairs & Renovation Application

Please complete the Minor Repairs and Renovation Application when making minor repairs and/or renovations. Please be sure to describe the work in detail including dimensions and specifications and/or include construction drawings. For minor structural projects which include girders and beams, please be sure to include the size and span of the proposed beam/girder.

Deck & Porch Application

Please complete the deck/porch application prior to constructing a deck, porch, patio, front stoop, landing and stairs all whether roofed or not. Please be sure to include the required drawings listed on page 2 of the application. For Zoning setback information please refer to Section 405(F) on page 221 of the Township Zoning Ordinance.

The American Wood Council has put together a prescriptive construction manual for wood decks based on the 2015 International Residential Code.

Deck Submittal Guide

Applicant procedures for completing the application, process of obtaining a permit and information regarding building code requirements.

Fence Application

Please apply for a fencing permit if you plan on installing a new fence, relocating or extending an existing fence, and when replacing or altering a fence that protects a swimming pool.

Zoning Ordinance

Barrier requirements for Pools

Driveway Application

Driveway permits are required when installing new driveways, and when enlarging or widening existing driveways. Residential driveways are required to be setback a minimum of 2 feet from the side and rear property line. Residential driveway entrances shall not exceed 20 feet in width at its connection with the street. Please refer to page 299 of the Township Zoning Ordinance for additional information regarding driveways. Driveway Aprons and sidewalks located within a driveway entrance shall be installed in accordance with the Township of Spring Standard Specifications.

Township Standard Specifications for Curb & Sidewalk

Zoning Application

For Zoning Projects other than the items listed above or change of use requests, please complete the general Zoning Application.

Demolition Application

Prior to the demolition of a building or structure, please apply for a demolition permit. Please be sure to include the square footage of the structure for Residential Buildings and the cubic footage for Commercial Structures.

Sewer Lateral Application

Please complete the sewer lateral application when making repairs to and or installing a new sewer lateral. Sewer laterals are required to conform to the Township of Spring Standard Specifications. Please refer to the Specifications listed below or on the back of the permit application. Township Lateral Specifications

Post Frame / Pole Building Application

Please complete the Pole Building Application if you plan on constructing a detached post & frame structure greater than
1000sq ft. Please answer the questions on page one of the application. Please provide a plot plan of the property showing the
location of the structure and the setback distances to the property lines. Please also submit 3 copies of the building plans for review.

One set of plans will be kept on file at the Township, one set will be given to the inspector, and one set will be returned to the applicant. If plumbing, heating or electric will be installed, please complete and submit the appropriate applications along with the Pole Building Application.

Curb / Sidewalk / Driveway Apron Application

Please complete the Curb / Sidewalk/ Driveway Apron application when installing or replacing Curb, sidewalk and or driveway aprons that abut a public street. Curbs, sidewalks and driveway aprons are required to comply with the Township of Spring Standard Specifications. Please refer to the Township of Spring Standard Specifications by clicking here.

Basement Renovation Application

Please complete this form when creating living space in the basement. Be sure to include the associated electrical, mechanical, and plumbing applications along with 3 sets of construction drawings.

Minor Additions / Sunroom Application

If you plan to enclose a deck or porch with walls, windows or screens and or install a sunroom, please complete this Minor Addition/Sunroom application. Please be sure to include construction drawings and a plot plan of the property showing setback distances to property lines.

Swimming Pool Application

Pools with the ability to hold more than 24 inches of water require a Pool Permit. Please complete the swimming pool application prior to purchasing a pool. Please complete the application and be sure to submit the required drawing. Please note that swimming pools require a dedicated electric outlet to run the pump equipment and proper barrier protection. For Additional information pertaining to Swimming Pool Building Codes please visit https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ISPSC2018. Pool Zoning Requirements

Utility Building Application

Please complete this form when installing sheds and or other detached accessory structures under 1000 sq ft in size such as carports, garages, and similar structures. For structures over 1000 sq ft in size, please complete the Building Permit Application. Please refer to Section 324(C)(1) of the Township Zoning Ordinance for Accessory Structure requirements.

Home Occupation Application

Please complete the Home Occupation Application if you plan on running a business from your home. A Home Occupation must clearly be incidental or secondary to the residence. Please refer to Section 324(C)(6) on page 209 of the Township Zoning Ordinance for Home Occupation regulations.

Dumpster Application

Prior to placing a dumpster or POD within the right-of-way of a public road, please apply for a dumpster permit. Please give a minimum of 2 days notice prior to having the dumpster placed. Multiple departments must be contacted to ensure the proper placement of the dumpster for health safety reasons, road work schedules and parades. For more information regarding placing a dumpster in the street, please refer to the Dumpster Ordinance.

Application to the Board of Supervisors

The application to the Board of Supervisors should be completed when requesting changes to the Zoning Ordinance, filing an appeal to a planning commission action, when filing for a Curative Amendment and to request a Conditional Use Hearing.

Zoning Appeals, Variances & Special Exceptions

Any municipality enacting a zoning ordinance must also create a zoning hearing board (ZHB). The primary purpose of such a board is to help assure fair and equitable application and administration of the zoning ordinance by hearing appeals on the zoning officer’s determinations and by granting relief from the literal enforcement of the ordinance in certain hardship situations.

The Zoning Hearing Board is a quasi-judicial body, consisting of three regular members and one alternate member, all of whom are residents of the Township of Spring. Members are appointed by the Board of Supervisors and shall serve 3-year terms. During their tenure, members of the Zoning Hearing Board are not permitted to hold any other office in the municipality. Hearings and meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the chairman upon receipt of a hearing application and at such other times as the Board, by majority vote, may determine.

For additional Information regarding the Zoning Hearing Board and its functions, the process for appeals, variances, and special exceptions, please refer to Section 804 – 807 of the Township of Spring Zoning Ordinance.

This application should be completed when requesting any of the following: an appeal from the Township Zoning Officer, a Special Exception, a Variance, an Agricultural Permit, a Temporary Permit, or when challenging a boundary of a Zoning District.

Roof Over Porch Application

For construction that includes building a roof over a patio, deck or porch, please complete the Roof Over Porch Application. Please answer the questions on page one of the application and provide a plot plan of the property showing the location of the structure and the setback distances to the property lines. Please also submit 3 copies of the structural drawings for review. One set of plans will be kept on file at the Township, one set will be given to the inspector, and one set will be returned to the applicant. Roofs that attach to the house for support must have frost protected footings to prevent heaving and racking.

Public Gathering Permit Application

Commercial Permits

Commercial Building Application

When the project includes constructing a new commercial building or structure, adding on to a commercial building or making structural and or non-structural alterations to a commercial building, please complete the Commercial Building Application and submit the required 3 sets of drawings. If the project includes plumbing, mechanical and electric, please complete the associated applications and submit along with the Commercial Building Application.

Mechanical Application

Electrical Application

Plumbing Application

Zoning Application

For Zoning Projects other than the items listed above or change of use requests, please complete the general Zoning Application.

Sign Permit Application

Please complete a sign application if your projection entails installing a new permanent or temporary wall mounted and or freestanding sign, or altering, enlarging or moving an existing sign. Please refer to Part 6 titled Signs on page 270 of the Township Zoning Ordinance.

Dumpster Application

Public Gathering Permit Application

Fence Application

Please apply for a fencing permit if you plan on installing a new fence, relocating or extending an existing fence, and when replacing or altering a fence that protects a swimming pool.

Zoning Ordinance

Barrier requirements for Pools

Demolition Application

Sewer Lateral Application

Curb / Sidewalk / Driveway Apron Application

Application to the Board of Supervisors

Zoning Appeals, Variances & Special Exceptions

Code Enforcement Department

In 2004, Spring Township adopted the statewide building code known as The Uniform Construction Code (UCC). The UCC sets minimum standards for building and construction. As part of the Uniform Construction Code, the Township enforces the International Code Council’s (ICC) series of Codes. The Township currently enforces the 2018 ICC Codes. The UCC requires an owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a residential building or erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system regulated by the Uniform Construction Code shall first apply to the building code official and obtain the required permit.

Code Enforcement FAQ

Yes, a Fence Zoning Permit is required. A permit is required in order to ensure the proper placement in accordance with the Township Zoning Ordinance. Please fill out the Fence Zoning Application and be sure to complete the required drawing. Fences located in a rear yard shall have a maximum height of 6 feet for residential properties and a minimum setback requirement of 6 inches to the rear and side property lines. Fences are permitted to be placed on the property line provided you obtain written permission from the adjacent property owner and you submit that permission along with the fence application. Fences are not permitted within easements. Fences in the front yard are limited to a height of 4 feet and must be an open style fence such as a split rail, chain link, picket or other open style fence with opacity of at least 50%. Fences in the front yard shall be setback a minimum of 3 feet from the road right-of-way line. The setback distance from the edge of the road varies per street and or subdivision. Corner properties that abut two public roads are considered to have two front yards. Fence Permit Application.

Yes, a Utility Building Zoning Permit is required for the placement of a shed to ensure Zoning compliance and to keep structures from being improperly placed within drainage and utility easements and floodplains. Please complete the Utility Building Zoning application. Please be sure to complete the bird’s eye view drawing of your property. The drawing shall include the location of property lines, the house and other structures, roads, alleys and easements and the proposed location of the shed. Please label the setback distances to the property lines and other structures. Sheds are not permitted within a required front or side yard. Sheds placed next to a house must be setback the minimum side yard requirement from the side property line. This distance varies depending on the Zoning District in which your property is located. Sheds located in the rear yard behind the house are given a setback exemption. Sheds that are 150 sqft in size and smaller are permitted to be setback only two feet from the side and two feet from the rear property line. Sheds over 150sqft in size must be setback the minimum side yard requirement from the side and rear property line.

Please fill in the highlighted areas of the Basement Renovation Application and submit two copies of the Basement layout plans. Please also complete the electrical, mechanical and plumbing applications that apply to your project. Please be advised that basements now require a form of emergency egress that communicates directly to the outdoors. If the basement is not equipped with a walkout door, a bilco door, or a window well, an egress will have to be installed.

Please complete the Curb /Sidewalk /Driveway Apron Application. Describe in detail the work to be performed including side walk and curb dimensions. A copy of the Township specs for curb and sidewalks will be returned along with the permit.

Trees and shrubs are not permitted to be located within the Road Right-of-way of any public street. The setback distance from the edge of the road varies between 8 and 15 feet depending on what road your property fronts upon and the subdivision in which your property may be located within. Trees and shrubs are not permitted within Sight triangles of road intersections. Trees and large shrubs are also not permitted within Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer and some other utility easements. It is important to keep trees trimmed along public streets. Township Ordinance requires trees to have a minimum clearance of 7ft above sidewalks and 12feet above the paved portion of the street. It is also not a good idea to plant trees near the sewer lateral to your home because the roots could work their way down into the lateral and cause a sewer backup.

We ask that you please fill out the Property Maintenance Complaint form listing the location of the property in question. The Township has and enforces a Grass and Weeds Ordinance. Grass and weeds on a residential property shall not exceed 8 inches in height and grass and weeds on a commercial property shall not exceed 18 inches in height. Upon receipt of the complaint form and verification of the violation, the Township will send out a Grass and Weeds Notice of Violation requesting the property be cut within 7 days of receiving the notice. After the 7th day if the property has not been cut, the Township will contract for the property to be cut. The resulting bill will be sent to the property owner for payment. If un-paid, the amount will result in a lien upon the real-estate. (Link to Property maintenance complaint form).

Pools with the ability to hold more than 24 inches of water require Building and Zoning approval. Pools are not permitted within front yards and easements. Pools are required to be setback a minimum of 15 feet from the side and rear property lines. Pools cannot be placed within 10feet horizontally of any overhead conductors. Pools are considered to be an attractive nuisance and are required to have proper barrier protection. Pools require a 4ft barrier measured from grade level to the top of the barrier. The walls of an above ground pools can count as the barrier provided the wall of the pool is 48” or more above grade level and the pool is protected by a lockable or removable ladder or protected platform. Above ground pools built into the side of a hill or grade require additional protection. In-ground swimming pools require fencing that is at least 4ft in height surrounding the yard or pool area. Doors from the house that open into the pool area must be protected by an audible alarm that sounds when the door is opened. Fences must be equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward away from the pool. Fences protecting a pool cannot be climbable. Along with setback and barrier requirements, pools have electrical requirements as well. Swimming pools require a dedicated out to supply power to the pool pump equipment. Extension cords are not permitted. If you plan to construct a deck around an above ground pool, please complete a separate deck permit application and submit it for review along with the required drawings. A deck around a pool is required to meet certain Zoning Setbacks, Building Code Requirements and Pool barrier requirements. Before buying a pool, please take into consideration pool placement and other expenses for proper barrier protection and electrical wiring.

If you are simply taking out the old windows and replacing them with windows of the same exact size and location, than no, a permit is not required. If you plan on taking out a 3 foot wide window and replacing that with a 6 foot wide double window, then yes a permit would be required because you are making structural changes. The new wider opening has to be properly framed out with the correct size header in order to support the loads of the larger opening. Please complete the Minor Repairs / renovation application describing in detail the work to be done be sure to include window and header dimensions.

Yes, a Porch/Deck/Patio Zoning Permit is required for patios. The Township Zoning Ordinance states that terraces, patios, decks or porches whether roofed or not, but not otherwise enclosed by one or more doors, windows screens walls or siding of any kind, size or dimension provided that such terraces, patios, decks or porches shall not project into the required side yard or yards nor shall the same project more than 5 feet into the required front yard or yards, nor shall the same project more than 1/3 into the required rear yard. The yard requirements vary per Zoning District. Please refer to the Township Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance.

Water from swimming pools and hot tubs often contains high levels of chlorine. Discharging chlorinated pool or spa water into steams, (irrigation canals or ponds, etc.) is harmful to fish and other aquatic life. The discharge of any sewage or industrial waste, including swimming pool water to any waters of the commonwealth without a permit is a violation of the Clean Steams Law, the Act of June 22, 1927, P.L. 1987, as amended.

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) does not require a permit of discharges from single residence pools, provided the guidelines outlined below are followed. Local municipalities should be contacted concerning potential local ordinances.

These guidelines cannot be construed to waive or impair any rights of DEP to prosecute a property (pool) owner and/or pool company for any steam damage that occurs as a result of discharge. Penalties would be assessed under the provisions of the Clean Streams Law.

Discharge of Water
- Prior to disposing or using the water for irrigation, shut off the chlorination system if there is one, or stop adding chlorine.
- Hold water in the pool or hot tub for two weeks to reduce the chlorine level.
- Discharge or use the water for irrigation in an area where the water will not flow into a stream or storm water.
- Discharge or use the water for irrigating the property and ensure that it does not flow off the property.
- Discharge or use the water for irrigation in a manner that will prevent nuisance conditions (such as creation of odors and fly and mosquito breeding conditions). Nuisance conditions occur when water is held in the pool for a prolonged period.
The discharge should be at a rate which prevents erosion and optimizes filtration. In no event should pool water be directly discharged to waters of the commonwealth.
Standing water or accumulated rain and/or pool water from previous season should be pumped from the top as not to disturb settled solids. Solids on the pool bottom should not be discharged. After the water has been pumped, solids should be cleaned out manually. The discharge should not raise stream temperatures by more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit in a one-hour period or a total of 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The pH should be between six and nine standard units and total chlorine residual should be 0.0 mg/l.
Cleaning wastewaters that contain muriatic acid and chlorine that is used in cleaning pool surfaces should be treated prior to discharge. Muriatic acid wastewater should be neutralized to a pH between six and nine standard units. Chlorine rinses should stand for a period of 10 days to allow chlorine degradation prior to discharge. Total chlorine residual of the wastewater should be less than 0.5 mg/l. Temperature should be monitored as described above (standing water). Chlorine rinse water pH should be between six and nine standards.

Questions concerning pool guidelines should be directed to DEP’s regional office:

South-central Regional Office

909 Elmerton Ave

Harrisburg, PA 17110-8200

Main Telephone: 717-705-4700

24-Hour Emergency: 877-333-1904

You may also visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection website for additional information.

Yes, please visit our Property Transfer page and follow the instructions.

Your sidewalk must be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours after the snow or ice ceases to fall or form.

The observed snow and ice on your sidewalk must be cleared within 24 hours to avoid tickets or fines.

The Township may also proceed to immediately clear all snow and ice from the sidewalk and collect the expenses thereof, with any additional amount allowed by law, from the owner or tenant as the case may be. Uncollected costs may result in a lien against the real estate.