Johnstown, Pennsylvania Building Permit Guide

In the City of Johnstown, building and zoning permits run through the Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency (LMIA), the inter-municipal code agency the city belongs to, which also serves as the city’s building code official. Applications go to LMIA’s office in Carrolltown (814-471-0424). A residential building permit costs $59.50, commercial permits follow a value table, and the city’s own Code Enforcement office at 401 Main Street handles rental registration and the commercial contractor license.

What requires a building permit in Johnstown?

The city’s rule is wide. A building or demolition permit is required for all demolition, repairs, renovations, remodels and new construction in Johnstown; the only work the permit page leaves out is painting and flooring. Anyone who starts covered work without a city-issued permit can be served a stop work order, and the permit fee is doubled for projects begun before the permit was issued.

Signs must also follow the zoning rules for their district, may not hang over a street or right-of-way, and yard-sale posters may not go on utility poles or street trees. All commercial projects, and some residential ones, need drawings and specifications stamped by a Pennsylvania-registered architect or engineer.

What Johnstown decides and what the state holds

The building standards are the state’s Uniform Construction Code. Johnstown opted in to enforce it locally from June 10, 2004, and L&I’s list shows the city kept local amendments that predate the UCC. The city chose to carry out that duty through LMIA. City Council keeps the local layers: the zoning ordinance and map, the Planning Commission and Zoning Hearing Board, the stormwater and sewer-lateral ordinances, rental registration, contractor licensing and the permit fee schedule printed on the city’s permit page.

Johnstown building department: who handles permitting

LMIA’s legal name is the Cambria County Building Codes Enforcement Agency; it was set up by inter-municipal agreements among its members to administer the UCC, and it also inspects floodplain, driveway, zoning and property maintenance matters for participating towns. Its member list covers several dozen municipalities in Cambria, Clearfield, Indiana, Somerset and Westmoreland counties, with the City of Johnstown among them. The city’s permit page sends every permit question to LMIA.

The City’s Codes Department, led by Codes Director Matthew Krawczyk, stays responsible for property maintenance under the International Property Maintenance Code, rental registration and inspection, and contractor licenses. Each part of the city has its own assigned code enforcement officer.

Johnstown permit types

LMIA publishes one residential application and one commercial application, each covering the building work and the trades together, plus drawing worksheets for common house projects. The city adds the demolition permit, sign permit, rental registration and commercial contractor license.

Residential permits

The residential application is for one- and two-family dwellings. It asks for the owner, the principal contractor and the contractor’s home improvement (HIC) number, a description of the work and the estimated construction cost at reasonable fair market value. It also collects the heating type, whether water and sewer are public or private, fireplaces, existing and proposed floor areas, the number of bedrooms and the electrical service size, utility company work-order number and electrician. LMIA’s 2023 worksheets cover decks with and without roofs, cantilevered decks, garages, pole buildings, additions and above-ground pools. The deck sheet asks for joist, beam, post and footing sizes and shows a guard wherever the floor is 30 inches or more above the ground; the pool sheet sets out the electrical bonding, including a #8 AWG solid copper bonding conductor and bonding of the pool water.

Building or remodeling a home here? Alliance handles residential permit expediting, so the crew isn't waiting on the counter.

Commercial permits

The commercial application covers new buildings, additions, alterations, demolition and changes of use group, with the occupancy classification checked from A-1 to U. It asks whether the municipality has zoning and whether the zoning permit has been obtained, whether the site is in a flood hazard area (with the IBC 1612.5 flood certification attached if so), and the bid cost of the building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work separately. Commercial drawings must carry a Pennsylvania architect’s or engineer’s stamp.

For tenant improvements and new commercial builds, Alliance handles commercial permit applications through issuance. More on this: commercial building permits explained.

What comes before the building permit

• Zoning. Johnstown has 14 zoning classifications on an interactive map; the city tells owners to ask the Building Code Official what their property is zoned before any development, alteration or addition.
• Site plan review. Every new construction project gets one of three reviews: administrative staff review, a conceptual or sketch plan review, or full site plan review, which is required for principal buildings in commercial, industrial and public districts, for projects that change the land use shown on the zoning map and for projects needing added utilities or infrastructure. The nine-member Planning Commission meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Public Safety Building on Washington Street.
• Zoning Hearing Board. Variances and appeals from zoning decisions.
• Stormwater. Ordinance No. 5160 (effective January 1, 2015) governs land development and earth disturbance; contact the city before construction to learn whether a stormwater plan, permit or inspection applies.
• Sewer laterals. Ordinance No. 5152 (August 13, 2014) requires owners to televise or pressure test private sewer laterals and repair those that fail, ending with a Certificate of Sewage Compliance.
• Floodplain and historic sites. LMIA’s form asks about flood hazard areas and the lowest floor level, and warns that work in a historic district may need a certificate of appropriateness from the municipality. Driveways onto state roads need a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit.

Johnstown permit costs and fees

The city prints its building permit fees on its permit page. Every commercial fee is quoted “plus state UCC tax”, the $4.50 state fee; the residential figure of $59.50 matches a $55 fee plus that $4.50.

Worked examples from the table: a $40,000 commercial fit-out falls in the $25,001–$50,000 band and costs $300 plus $4.50, or $304.50; a $600,000 commercial building costs 0.5% of $600,000, $3,000, plus $4.50. A demolition under a $20,000 contract costs $200 plus the $150 sewer cap fee and $4.50, so $354.50.

Rental and license fees

All rental units must be registered with Code Enforcement, and the city waives the registration fee. Rental inspections cost $50 for a single-family dwelling, $150 for a duplex or two-family dwelling, $150 for a multi-family dwelling and $1,500 for a halfway house; an owner of 10 or more units pays $50 per unit. Extra contractor vehicle decals cost $2 each.

Trade permits and who may pull them

Johnstown does not run separate city trade offices. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work is part of the UCC permit LMIA reviews: the residential form takes the electrical service details and the heating system, and the commercial form lists the plumbing, mechanical and electrical bid costs beside the building cost. LMIA inspects the trade work with the rest of the job.

• Who may apply. Building and demolition permits are issued to the owner, an authorized agent or the contractor doing the work; LMIA’s form also accepts the lessee or the registered design professional on the job.
• Commercial contractor license. Every contractor and subcontractor on a commercial building or repair project in the city needs a City of Johnstown contractor license, including construction, alteration, repair, sign, site preparation, excavation, paving and demolition work. The registration form needs proof of workers’ compensation and liability insurance, or a notarized statement that the contractor has no employees. The license runs for the calendar year with no pro-rating, one vehicle decal comes with it, and the Building Code Official reviews contractor records before approving permits or renewals.
• Workers’ compensation. LMIA needs a certificate of insurance or an affidavit of exemption with any application where a contractor does the work.
• Home improvement registration. Contractors on houses list their state HICPA number on the LMIA form.

The city’s code enforcement pages list no separate electrician or plumber license beyond the commercial contractor license.

How to apply for a Johnstown building permit

Review, corrections and what causes delay

State rules give a residential application 15 business days for a decision and a commercial one 30, unless the applicant agrees in writing to more time. In Johnstown the common hold-ups are missing stamped drawings on commercial work, an absent roofing disposal receipt or insurance certificate on house jobs, and a commercial contractor without a current city license. Timing also matters after issue: the city’s permit page says building permits expire after 60 days and demolition permits after 30, with extensions possible for demolition, while the state UCC rules let a permit lapse when work has not started within 180 days of issue or stops for 180 days, so confirm with LMIA which date it applies to your permit.

Inspections in Johnstown

LMIA inspects all UCC work in the city, and the city states that every UCC project is inspected for compliance before an occupancy permit is issued. Inspection requests go to LMIA’s office during its weekday hours, since the city refers all permit questions to the agency.

Code appeals go to the city’s Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals. The application, revised January 29, 2020, is filed with the Building Code Official, costs $400 and is complete only when the fee is paid; it can appeal a decision of the Building Code Official or ask for a variance or more time, though action on unsafe buildings may not be stayed.

Rental inspections

Johnstown has thousands of rental units, and each must be registered with the Code Enforcement Office. The city updated its rental inspection ordinance to waive registration fees and lower inspection costs, and inspections check the required safety features. The city’s pages do not describe an inspection at the sale of an owner-occupied house.

Pennsylvania building code in Johnstown

Johnstown enforces the Uniform Construction Code through LMIA under its June 10, 2004 opt-in. FEMA’s Community Status Book lists the City of Johnstown (community 420231) as participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, with flood maps effective June 19, 2012, and LMIA’s forms require floodplain work to meet the program and the state Flood Plain Management Act.

Pennsylvania has one Uniform Construction Code for the whole state, based on the 2021 International Codes since January 1, 2026. Most municipalities enforce it themselves or through a certified third-party agency; where a municipality has opted out, the Department of Labor and Industry handles commercial work and home owners hire a certified agency. Counties do not issue building permits. Pennsylvania rules

Johnstown permit search and official resources

There is no public online permit search. For permits, inspections and occupancy records on a property, ask LMIA or the city’s Codes Department. Formal requests for city records go through the Right to Know page, and the city accepts them only on the official form of the state Office of Open Records. Council agendas and minutes, including ordinances on codes and fees, are posted on the city site.

• Johnstown permits and fees (LMIA services)
• Johnstown Code Enforcement: rentals and contractor licenses
• Johnstown Planning & Zoning
• Johnstown stormwater system and Ordinance 5160
• City of Johnstown forms, incl. Building Codes Appeals application
• Sewer Lateral Assistance Program
• Johnstown Right to Know requests
• City Council agendas and minutes
• Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency
• LMIA residential application and worksheets
• LMIA commercial permit application
• Pennsylvania L&I municipal UCC elections list
• FEMA Community Status Book, Pennsylvania

Johnstown building permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Johnstown?

The Laurel Municipal Inspection Agency, the code agency the city belongs to. It serves as the Building Code Official and handles residential and commercial permits and zoning; call 814-471-0424.

How much is a building permit for a house in Johnstown?

The city lists $59.50 for a residential permit, whether or not the work falls under the UCC. The fee doubles if work started before the permit was issued.

Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Johnstown?

Yes. The city requires a permit for all repairs and renovations except painting and flooring, and LMIA’s residential form asks every roofing job for a receipt for disposal of the old roofing.

Do contractors need a Johnstown license?

Contractors and subcontractors working on commercial building or repair projects need a city contractor license for the calendar year, with insurance proof. Home improvement contractors also list their state HICPA number on LMIA’s form.

What does a demolition permit cost in Johnstown?

One percent of the demolition contract, plus a $150 sewer cap fee and the $4.50 state fee. Demolition permits expire after 30 days but may be extended in some cases.

Do I have to register a rental in Johnstown?

Yes. Every rental unit must be registered with Code Enforcement; registration is free, and inspections start at $50 for a single-family home.

How do I appeal a Johnstown building code decision?

File the Building Codes Appeals application with the Building Code Official and pay the $400 non-refundable fee; the UCC Board of Appeals hears it.

Simplify Johnstown permitting with Alliance Permitting

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 Johnstown permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.