Lancaster County has 60 municipalities, and building permits come from each of them; the county planning department reviews subdivision and land development plans for all of them. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the most populous are Lancaster city (58366), Manheim Township (44826), East Hempfield Township (27287) and Manor Township (21969).
This guide covers those four municipalities and the county planning and conservation offices, plus the PennDOT district for the county.
What requires a building permit in Lancaster County?
Lancaster 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.
In Manheim Township, since January 12th, 2026, building permit applications that change impervious cover or layout must include the Exemption from Stormwater Management Plan Application. In Lancaster city a residential project may also need engineering, stormwater, historic or zoning review.
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
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Get a free quote →Who handles permitting in Lancaster County?
Each municipality issues its own building permits. The Lancaster County Planning Department (150 North Queen Street, Suite 320, Lancaster; 717-299-8333) prepares advisory reviews before the monthly Lancaster County Planning Commission meeting, usually 2:30 pm on the second Monday. Plans must be received and accepted at least 30 days before the meeting, and applications and review fees go through its e-submission portal.
| Municipality | Office | Contact and hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster city | Bureau of Building Code Administration, 120 North Duke Street | (717) 291-4724; Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Manheim Township | Code Compliance Department, 1840 Municipal Drive, Lancaster | (717) 569-6406, ext. 6; Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| East Hempfield Township | Building/Zoning, 1700 Nissley Rd, Landisville | (717) 898-3100; MON - FRI 8AM-4PM; Permits@Easthempfield.org |
| Manor Township | Township Administrative Office, 950 West Fairway Drive, Lancaster | (717) 397-4769; 8am-4:30pm M-F |
Local rules in the largest Lancaster County municipalities
Lancaster city
The Bureau of Building Code Administration issues building permits. Review of a residential building permit application can take up to 15 business days.
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Applications are filed through the CityView Permit Portal or in person. The Township aims to review permits within ten business days for residential and 25 business days for non-residential projects.
East Hempfield Township
Applications and plans must be emailed as PDFs to Permits@Easthempfield.org.
Manor Township
Zoning and building applications go to the Township Administrative Office with two sets of building plans. Plans are reviewed by Commonwealth Code Inspection Service (CCIS), (717) 664-2347, which invoices the applicant for plan review and inspections.
Lancaster County permit costs and fees
Each municipality sets its own fees:
- Lancaster city (Administrative Resolution No. 77-2022, effective January 1, 2023): new one- and two-family construction is $0.45 per square foot (minimum $150.00); work started without a permit pays an extra fee equal to three times the permit fee; a Building Code Appeals Board filing is $300.00.
- Manheim Township (2026 fee resolution): new detached one- and two-family dwellings and additions are $0.70 per square foot (minimum fee of $180); work without a permit pays double the applicable permit fee.
- Manor Township: CCIS invoices plan review and inspections separately.
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
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Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a building permit in Lancaster County
The city, township or borough where the parcel is issues the permit.
Manheim Township needs the stormwater exemption form when impervious cover or layout changes.
Manheim through CityView or in person, East Hempfield by email, Manor at the Township office with two sets of plans.
Driveways and other work in a state highway right-of-way need a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit, applied for through the Electronic Permitting System.
Plans reach the County Planning Department at least 30 days before the monthly Commission meeting.
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
Inspections in Lancaster County
Manheim Township rough and final inspections are requested by calling 717-569-6406, extension 6. In East Hempfield Township all inspections are done by Code Administrators Inc; call (717)859-3350 with 24 hour notice. In Manor Township, CCIS invoices the applicant for plan review and inspections.
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Get a free quote →Erosion control and state offices for Lancaster County
The Lancaster County Conservation District handles the NPDES permit program for stormwater from construction activity (1383 Arcadia Road, Room 200, Lancaster, PA 17601; (717) 299-5361 ext. 5; Monday through Friday 7:30am-4:00pm). The county is in PennDOT Engineering District 8 (2140 Herr Street, Harrisburg PA 17103-1699; 717-787-6653; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday).
Official Lancaster County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
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- Lancaster County Conservation District NPDES
- Lancaster city Bureau of Building Code Administration
- Manheim Township Code Compliance
- East Hempfield Building/Zoning
- Manor Township permit process
- PennDOT District 8
- PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit
Frequently asked questions
Does Lancaster County issue building permits?
No. Each of its 60 municipalities issues building permits; the county planning department reviews subdivision and land development plans.
What does Lancaster city charge for a new house?
$0.45 per square foot for new one- and two-family construction, minimum $150.00.
Who inspects in East Hempfield Township?
Code Administrators Inc does all inspections; call (717)859-3350 with 24 hour notice.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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- Confirm which municipality, and which code official or third-party agency, handles the parcel
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- 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.
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More Pennsylvania permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Lancaster County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.