Shaler Township, Pennsylvania Building Permit Guide

In Shaler Township, the Building & Zoning Department takes every application, document and fee for the Building and Code Enforcement Officer, and permits are applied for, tracked and inspected online through Cloudpermit. Under Resolution 17-2026, effective July 1, 2026, a residential building permit is $120 plus $7 for each $1,000 of construction cost, rounded up, plus the $4.50 state fee; reviews often take 1 to 2 weeks.

What requires a building permit in Shaler Township?

Shaler splits projects between building permits, which go through UCC plan review and inspection, and accessory zoning permits for the smaller detached structures. The township’s application requirements set out both lists and the exemptions.

A shed under the accessory zoning permit may be no larger than 144 square feet or taller than 10 feet, and must stand at least 3 feet from the side and rear lines unless the lot is a corner or through lot. Altering plumbing, electrical or HVAC equipment in a way that changes the original design also needs a building permit. A manufactured home takes a $350 zoning permit, but its footers, foundation and utility connections need a building permit. Under the township’s pool rules (Chapter 199), a pool on an ordinary lot goes directly behind the house, at least 10 feet from every property line, and no pool, deck or shelter may sit in a public right-of-way or municipal easement without a license agreement.

What Shaler decides and what the state holds

Shaler is an opt-in community that enforces the statewide Uniform Construction Code itself; L&I lists it as opted in since July 1, 2004, with pre-1999 amendments. Its Permits page now names the 2021 International Residential, Building and Fire Codes, although the older requirements handout still refers to the 2018 code sets. The township sets its own zoning (Chapter 225), stormwater rules (Chapter 190), pool rules (Chapter 199), sewer tap rules (Chapter 181), fee resolution and contractor registration.

Shaler Township building department: who handles permitting

Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer David Fitzhenry is the building official in the Building & Zoning Department, which reviews applications, issues building and zoning permits, makes the building inspections and enforces property codes. He also advises residents on flood protection and helps owners work out the approximate floodplain line on their property, with the current flood maps kept at the municipal building. Electrical inspections are done by a third-party agency certified by L&I, chosen from the township’s approved list.

Shaler permit types and applications

Building permits and accessory zoning permits are both filed in Cloudpermit. Once an account is set up, an applicant can apply at any time, get an email whenever the status changes, message the department, request changes to an issued permit, and schedule or cancel inspections. Payment is accepted by check, credit card or cash. The township also posts separate pages for dumpster and pod permits, street openings, sanitary sewer taps, new business occupancy, no-impact home businesses, subdivision and land development, Zoning Hearing Board applications, use of the township right-of-way and telecommunications facilities.

Residential permits

Every building or zoning application except an interior alteration needs a recent or original survey, stamped and sealed by a Pennsylvania registered land surveyor, with the new work drawn to scale and its setbacks marked; Google Earth images do not qualify. Plans must show cross-sections, measurements, materials, fasteners and lumber spans in enough detail for someone else to build from them, but a house project does not need engineered or stamped drawings. The township wants two paper sets and one PDF, the estimated cost, the contractor’s Attorney General registration number, a liability insurance certificate and a workers’ compensation certificate or the township’s exemption form. Solar panels need a structural engineer’s report and a third-party electrical inspection.

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

Commercial permits

A commercial building permit needs everything a residential one does plus plans stamped by a registered design professional, and it goes through plan review at $0.11 per square foot with a $330 minimum. Most new commercial projects also go to the Planning Commission through the subdivision and land development application. Commercial fire alarms, suppression systems and kitchen hoods need their own building permits.

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. Setbacks come from Chapter 225, Article V. Variances go to the Zoning Hearing Board ($750 residential, $1,000 commercial or industrial), and conditional uses and zoning changes cost $2,000 each.
• Erosion and stormwater. DEP requires an erosion and sediment control plan for 5,000 square feet or more of earth disturbance, and Shaler expects controls on any new footer, foundation or fill work; stormwater plans follow Chapter 190.
• Sewer. A new connection needs a sanitary sewer tap permit under Chapter 181, on the township’s tap application or, in the Girty’s Run area, the Girty’s Run application; the township tap fee is $5,730.
• Floodplain. Pine Creek and the two branches of Little Pine Creek have mapped floodplains; the building inspector can review the maps with you.
• Driveways and streets. Work in a township street needs a street opening permit; on a state road, a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit applies.

Shaler permit fees

The Board of Commissioners amended the fee schedule with Resolution 17-2026, which took effect on July 1, 2026 and was resolved on July 14, 2026, saying the old fees no longer covered the township’s costs. Residential and commercial building permits carry an initial or minimum fee plus $7 for every $1,000 of construction cost, rounded up.

A $40,000 addition costs $120 plus 40 × $7, or $400, and the $4.50 state fee makes $404.50; the occupancy permit at the end adds $85. An extra inspection costs $110 once the project’s allotted inspections are used up or after the second failed inspection. A street opening permit is $2,000, including one inspection, and $1,800 is refunded if the street is undamaged and no reinspection is needed.

Trade permits and who may pull them

• Electrical: rough-in and final inspections must be done by a third-party agency certified by L&I; call the department at extension 216 or 234 for the list of agencies the township approves. A final electrical sticker must be on the panel before occupancy.
• Plumbing: the Allegheny County Plumbing Division inspects the sewer, rough-in, final and stormwater plumbing; plans or abstracts are filed at the county office before any inspection is called for, and the county licenses the plumbers.
• Mechanical: checked with the framing at the framing and mechanical inspection; changes to HVAC equipment that alter the original design need a building permit.

Resolution 17-2026 lists a fee line, “Contractor Registration (Annual fee Expires Dec 31)”, at $40; the resolution does not say who must register, so ask the department before work starts. Applications also ask for the contractor’s Attorney General home improvement registration number.

How to apply for a Shaler permit

Review, corrections and what causes delay

By state law the township has 15 business days for residential and 30 for commercial permits, and Shaler says turnaround is often 1 to 2 weeks. Those limits only start once the submission is complete: the township will not move an application through review until every required document is in. Commercial jobs that need Planning Commission review take longer, and the township warns that plans without enough detail for someone else to build from can delay the permit. A permit lapses if work does not begin within 180 days.

Inspections in Shaler Township

Building inspections are scheduled or cancelled in Cloudpermit. The stages are the footer, with forms in place before concrete; the foundation, covering the walls and sill plate anchors before framing; framing and mechanical, after the electrical and plumbing rough-ins pass and their reports are handed to the building inspector; insulation before the walls are closed; wallboard before compound; and the final. Electrical inspections come from the certified agency and plumbing inspections from the county.

An occupancy permit is issued after the final, before anyone moves in. Smoke detectors must be hard-wired with battery backup, and the final electrical sticker must be on the panel. Shaler warns that breaking these inspection rules is a code violation with a fine for each offense. Owners in a mapped floodplain can also book a meeting with the building inspector to go over the flood maps and ways to retrofit a house against flooding.

Selling a house brings its own checklist. The seller must have the house dye tested before the sale to show downspouts and rain leaders are not connected to the sanitary sewer, using one of the township’s contracted registered plumbers ($30 to $40 a test) or another registered plumber; ask at least 14 days before closing. Resolution 17-2026 also lists a $50 dye test certification fee. Results stay valid for three years, and repairs after a failed test need 24 hours’ notice to the building inspector. The seller also arranges a backflow preventer certification with Hampton Shaler Water Authority at least two weeks before closing, and a final water meter reading.

Pennsylvania building code in Shaler Township

Shaler enforces the Uniform Construction Code with its own building inspector and names the 2021 residential, building and fire codes. FEMA’s Community Status Book lists Shaler Township (community 421101) as participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, with its current flood map effective September 26, 2014, and as a Community Rating System class 8 community, which gives flood insurance policyholders a 10% discount.

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

Shaler permit search and official resources

Applicants follow their own permits in Cloudpermit. Copies of older permits and plans are public records requests: Shaler requires the Commonwealth’s uniform request form, sent to its Right to Know officer by mail, email, fax (412-487-4107) or hand delivery, does not accept anonymous requests, and answers within five business days or extends by up to 30 calendar days.

• Shaler building permits and applications
• Building & Zoning Department
• Building and zoning permit application requirements
• Accessory zoning permits
• Cloudpermit building permit information
• Resolution 17-2026 fee schedule
• Erosion and sediment requirements
• Sanitary sewer tap permit
• Selling your home: dye test and backflow
• Flood protection services and flood zone maps
• Public records requests
• Allegheny County Health Department plumbing program
• L&I municipal UCC election list
• FEMA Community Status Book, Pennsylvania

Shaler Township building permit FAQs

How much is a building permit in Shaler Township?

For a house project, $120 plus $7 per $1,000 of construction cost, rounded up, and the $4.50 state fee; a $40,000 addition comes to $404.50.

Do I need a permit for a shed?

Not a building permit. A shed up to 144 square feet and 10 feet high needs a $75 accessory zoning permit and must sit at least 3 feet from the side and rear lines.

Does a deck need a building permit?

Yes if it is attached to the house or more than 30 inches high; a low detached deck needs only a zoning permit.

Can I apply online?

Yes. Shaler takes building and zoning permits through Cloudpermit, where you can also book inspections.

Is there a contractor registration fee in Shaler?

Resolution 17-2026 lists a $40 “Contractor Registration (Annual fee Expires Dec 31)”; ask the Building & Zoning Department who must register.

What do I need to sell my house?

A passed dye test (valid three years), a backflow preventer certification from Hampton Shaler Water Authority and a final water meter reading.

Who inspects electrical work?

A third-party agency certified by L&I from the township’s approved list.

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