Montgomery County’s official Municipal Websites page lists each of its boroughs and townships, with links to their own sites, where building permits are handled. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the most populous are Lower Merion Township (64691), Abington Township (58656), Cheltenham Township (38498) and Upper Merion Township (36674).
This guide covers Abington and Cheltenham Townships and the county planning, health and conservation offices. The websites of Lower Merion and Upper Merion Townships could not be checked, so contact those townships directly.
In Abington Township a building permit that needs access to a PennDOT highway is not issued until the Highway Occupancy Permit is issued.
What requires a building permit in Montgomery County?
Montgomery 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.
Local triggers include Cheltenham Township’s stormwater process for projects with 250 square feet or more of disturbance. On-lot sewage systems and individual water supply wells need county Office of Public Health permits, and projects disturbing more than one acre need an NPDES permit.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →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 Montgomery County?
Each borough and township issues its own building permits. At county level:
- Land development: every subdivision and land development proposal goes to the Montgomery County Planning Commission (MCPC) for an advisory Act 247 review before the municipality acts. The municipality submits it through the 247 Submission Portal, and MCPC then emails the applicant’s representative a payment request. Office: 425 Swede Street (One Montgomery Plaza), Norristown; 610-278-3722; Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
- Sewage and wells: the county’s own Office of Public Health issues on-lot sewage and individual water supply well permits; contact your local office. Main office: 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown; 610-278-5117.
| Municipality | Office | Contact and hours |
|---|---|---|
| Abington Township | Community Development Department, 1176 Old York Road | 267-536-1000, prompt 4; Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm |
| Cheltenham Township | Township office, 8230 Old York Road, Elkins Park | 215-887-1000; Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Local rules in Abington and Cheltenham
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →Abington Township
The Community Development Department administers the building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical and zoning codes. Permitting has been fully digital since July 1, 2025, through the township’s online portal. Commercial projects must be fully reviewed by a state-approved third-party agency before the permit is submitted, and contractors must register with the Township.
Cheltenham Township
Since March 26, 2025 all permit applications must go through the township’s OpenGov Portal; paper applications are no longer accepted. Every permit must include a signed copy of the contract or proposal.
Montgomery County permit costs and fees
Each municipality sets its own building permit fees; in Cheltenham work started before permits are approved pays triple the permit fee. MCPC’s Act 247 review fees (effective January 1, 2023) are a $150 flat fee for residential plans of 1-3 lots or units and a $300 flat fee for nonresidential land developments of 1-3,000 sq. ft.; sketch plans have no fee. Conservation District fees are paid through MuniciPAY.
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
Trade permits in Montgomery County
In Cheltenham Township electrical work must be done by a Township-registered electrician and inspected by a third-party agency. Abington’s Community Development Department handles plumbing, electrical and mechanical codes alongside building.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →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 Montgomery County
The borough or township where the parcel is issues the permit.
Abington through its online portal, Cheltenham through OpenGov; both have stopped taking paper.
Get the state-approved third-party review before submitting the permit.
Driveways and other work in a state highway right-of-way need a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit, applied for through the Electronic Permitting System. In Abington the building permit waits for it.
Over one acre needs an NPDES permit; the Conservation District takes electronic submissions only.
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
Rather not deal with the Montgomery County building department?
Get a free quote →Erosion control and state offices for Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Conservation District reviews E&S plans and NPDES permit applications under delegation from DEP. Since November 12, 2025 it takes electronic submissions only. Office: 143 Level Road, Collegeville, PA 19426; 610.489.4506; 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM. The county is in PennDOT Engineering District 6 (7000 Geerdes Boulevard, King of Prussia, PA 19406; 610-205-6700; 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday).
Official Montgomery County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →- Montgomery County municipal websites
- MCPC subdivision and land development reviews
- Montgomery County Office of Public Health permits
- Montgomery County Conservation District Chapter 102/NPDES
- Abington contractor information
- Cheltenham Township permits
- PennDOT District 6
- PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit
Frequently asked questions
Does Montgomery County issue building permits?
No. Its boroughs and townships do; the county Office of Public Health permits on-lot sewage systems and wells.
Can I file a paper permit in Cheltenham Township?
No. Since March 26, 2025 all permit applications go through the OpenGov Portal.
What does an MCPC Act 247 review cost?
A $150 flat fee for residential plans of 1-3 lots or units; sketch plans have no fee.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
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- 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.
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More Pennsylvania permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Montgomery County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.