York County, Pennsylvania Building Permit Guide

York County has 72 municipalities: 35 townships, 36 boroughs and 1 city, and each issues its own building permits. The York County Planning Commission keeps an interactive map with each municipality’s address and phone number. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the most populous are York city (45342), York Township (31479), Springettsbury Township (27617) and Dover Township (24395).

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 York County?

York 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.

Dover Township adds two site triggers: projects with over 2000 square feet of new impervious surface need engineered stormwater plans, and excavation over 5000 square feet needs an erosion and sediment control plan from the York County Conservation District. In York city, fence and driveway permits go through the Bureau of Planning and Zoning.

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 York County?

Each municipality issues its own building permits. Subdivision and land development plans in municipalities with their own ordinance go to the York County Planning Commission (YCPC; 28 E Market Street, 3rd Floor, York, PA 17401; 717-771-9870), which has 30 days to comment. In Delta, Yoe, York Haven and Yorkana Boroughs, which have no ordinance, YCPC itself decides the plan under the county ordinance.

Local rules in the largest York County municipalities

York city

The Bureau of Permits and Inspections takes most permit applications online through OpenGov. It does not take walk-ins; appointments are made by calling 717-849-2256. An electrical turn-on inspection requires a DR number from Met-Ed.

York Township

The code official has 15 business days to review a residential permit and 30 business days for commercial.

Springettsbury Township

Review takes 15 business days for residential and 30 business days for commercial permits.

Dover Township

Applications are submitted online with PDF construction documents; the code official has up to 15 business days for residential and 30 business days for commercial projects. Inspections are billed under MDIA’s fee schedule.

York County permit costs and fees

Each municipality sets its own fees:

• Dover Township: UCC projects of $0 to $8500 are $50.00 plus inspections, and $8501 and up are $8.00 per $1,000 plus inspections; a second and later re-inspection is $100.00; online card payments carry a 3% service fee.
• Springettsbury Township: second and later re-inspections cost $100.00 each.
• York city: the posted fee schedule is Resolution #135, approved January 15, 2013, which charges building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits at 1.25% of valuation each, plus a $35 administrative fee per permit. It is an older posting, so confirm the current fee with the city.

YCPC’s 2026 review fees: subdivision plans are a $550 base fee plus $50 per lot/dwelling unit (not to exceed $3,000); nonresidential land development starts at $550 for buildings and additions up to 2,000 square feet.

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 York County

Plumbing licences are local. In York city plumbers must hold a City of York plumber’s license before a UCC plumbing application is submitted, and in York Township plumbing must be done by a York Township licensed plumber.

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 York 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

Inspections in York County

York Township inspections can be scheduled Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. with 24 hours notice by calling (717) 428-5641. Springettsbury Township inspections are scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. by calling 717-757-3521 at least 48 hours ahead. Dover Township inspections are billed under MDIA’s fee schedule.

Erosion control and state offices for York County

The York County Conservation District reviews E&S plans and NPDES permit applications for construction; projects with one acre or more of earth disturbance need NPDES coverage, and submittals need the 2026 Application for District Services plus fees. Office: 2401 Pleasant Valley Road Suite #101 RM #139, York, PA 17402; (717) 840-7430. 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 York County permitting resources

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

• York County Planning Commission municipal contacts
• YCPC mandated reviews
• York County Conservation District erosion and sediment control
• York city Bureau of Permits and Inspections
• York Township Building and Zoning
• Springettsbury building permits
• Dover Township building permits
• PennDOT District 8
• PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit

Frequently asked questions

Does York County issue building permits?

No. Its 72 municipalities do; YCPC decides subdivision plans only in Delta, Yoe, York Haven and Yorkana Boroughs.

Can I walk in to the York city permit office?

No. The Bureau of Permits and Inspections does not take walk-ins; call 717-849-2256 for an appointment.

What does a Dover Township building permit cost?

UCC projects of $0 to $8500 are $50.00 plus inspections; $8501 and up are $8.00 per $1,000 plus inspections.

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