Delaware County, Pennsylvania Building Permit Guide

Delaware County is divided into forty-nine municipalities, and building permits come from each of them; the County Planning Department tells applicants to contact their municipality’s code enforcement officials about building permits. By the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 estimates the most populous are Upper Darby Township (85458), Haverford Township (50997), Chester city (33996) and Radnor Township (32930).

This guide covers Upper Darby, Haverford, the City of Chester and Ridley Township (fifth by population). Radnor Township’s website could not be checked, so contact the township directly.

What requires a building permit in Delaware County?

Delaware County issues no building permits: under Pennsylvania’s Construction Code Act counties are not municipalities. Each municipality administers the statewide Uniform Construction Code itself or through a certified third-party agency, so what needs a permit, what it costs and how it is filed depend on the municipality.

One local example: under Upper Darby Township’s UCC rules, from its 2005 election, a permit is required for residential accessory structures of 120 sq. ft. or more, and for smaller ones that contain utilities. Ridley Township asks you to contact its Code Office before any new construction or alterations.

Pennsylvania enforces one statewide Uniform Construction Code under Act 45 of 1999, based since January 1, 2026 on the 2021 ICC codes and administered by most municipalities themselves or through certified third-party agencies; counties issue no building permits. Building codes in Pennsylvania

Who handles permitting in Delaware County?

Each municipality issues its own building permits. Act 247 subdivision and land development applications go to the Delaware County Planning Department (2 W. Baltimore Avenue, Suite 202, Media, PA 19063; 610-891-5200) online, by mail or in person, with 3 sets of plans for paper submissions. A plan must be reviewed by the County Planning Commission and stamped by the Planning Department before it can be recorded. The Department also processes Component 4B county planning agency reviews of DEP Act 537 sewage facility planning modules.

Local rules in the largest Delaware County municipalities

Upper Darby Township

Appointments are strongly encouraged. Residential contractors must hold PA Home Improvement Contractor registration and a valid Township Business Privilege License; owners may pull permits only for their own primary residence when doing the work themselves.

Haverford Township

Single-permit residential applications and contractor licenses can be filed through the Online Permit & License Center. No permit application is accepted without a signed owner-contractor contract, insurance including workers’ compensation (certificate holder Haverford Township) and the estimated cost of work.

City of Chester

Applications need three drawings of the work and materials.

Ridley Township

Contact the Code Office at 610-534-4803 for permit requirements before any new construction or alterations.

Delaware County permit costs and fees

Each municipality sets its own fees. In Haverford Township all permit fees are paid at once by check.

Fees are set by the municipality or its third-party agency, plus the flat $4.50 state Uniform Construction Code fee on each permit. Permit fees in Pennsylvania

Contractor and trade rules in Delaware County

Licensing is local. All contractors must get a City of Chester trade license before a permit; Haverford Township requires contractors to be licensed with the Township; and Upper Darby requires a Township Business Privilege License alongside PA Home Improvement Contractor registration.

Trade work follows the Uniform Construction Code; electrical, plumbing and HVAC licences are issued locally where they exist, not by the state. Trade permits in Pennsylvania

How to get a building permit in Delaware County

A Pennsylvania permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days or stops for 180 days, and lasts no more than 5 years; residential applications must be decided within 15 business days. Permit validity in Pennsylvania

Erosion control and state offices for Delaware County

The Delaware County Conservation District (1521 N. Providence Road, Rose Tree Park - Hunt Club, Media, PA 19063; (610) 892-9484; Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) takes permit and E&S applications through an online permitting portal. PA DEP’s Southeast Regional Office (2 E Main St, Norristown, PA 19401; 484-250-5900; office hours 8am–4pm) serves the county, and PennDOT District 6 (7000 Geerdes Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406; 610-205-6700; 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday) is responsible for its state-maintained roads.

Official Delaware County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Delaware County Planning development review
• Delaware County Conservation District
• Upper Darby building permits
• Haverford Building & Codes
• City of Chester Office of the Building Officials
• Ridley Township Code Office
• PA DEP Southeast Regional Office
• PennDOT District 6

Frequently asked questions

Does Delaware County issue building permits?

No. Building permits come from each of its forty-nine municipalities.

Does a shed need a permit in Upper Darby?

Under the Township’s UCC rules, residential accessory structures of 120 sq. ft. or more need a permit, and so do smaller ones that contain utilities.

What does Haverford Township need with a permit application?

A signed owner-contractor contract, insurance including workers’ compensation and the estimated cost of work.

Simplify Delaware County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm which municipality, and which code official or third-party agency, handles the parcel
• Prepare the municipal application plus any county, conservation district or PennDOT filing the project needs
• Schedule the required inspections and close out the permit

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Pennsylvania. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Delaware County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.