• Please be  advised the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (Act 132 of 2008) and the International Building Code mandated by the Department of Labor and Industry of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and adopted by the Township of Abington are in effect.  Contractors who perform home improvements for which the total cash value is $5,000 or more per year are required to register with the Office of Attorney General by July 1. Click here for registration form and details.
• Within the regulations there will be more stringent requirements for plans that are submitted for permits, both commercial and residential;
• When requested, plans for residential applications must also be prepared by an architect, and include electrical, plumbing, energy and HVAC calculations.  Site plans, accurately drawn and calculated, must also be completed and submitted for review for both commercial and residential applications;
• Improperly preparing your application, as noted above, will automatically cause delays in your time schedule for most anticipated work; therefore, ample time should be factored in when preparing your plans. Due to the scope of work to be reviewed, additional time will be required by the Code Department to review the average submittal;
• Any application for a building permit that requires access to a highway falling under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, will not be issued until a Highway Occupancy Permit is issued;
• The Township of Abington is now requiring that all commercial projects be reviewed entirely prior to permit submission to the Township.  An entire plan review would consist of Building, Electric, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Fire and Accessibility. Applicants must use a state approved third party agency.
• Questions regarding the process can be directed to 267-536-1000 ext. 4. 

 Required information for permit applications:

• Residential Permit Application Requirements
• Building Permit Application
• Storm Water Permit
  • Rain Barrel Permit (up to 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires two rain barrels)
  • Seepage Pit/Dry Well/Rain Garden Permit (over 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires a Seepage Pit or a Rain Garden)
  • Please note, storm water permit fee payment must be made by check and separately from other permit fees.
• Plot Plan - may be non-engineered;
  • Sample Plot Plan
  • Calculation Sheet
• Elevation - from the footer to roof peak; 
• Framing Plan of All Floors - include size, span, and spacing
• Fee Schedule:
  
  • Addition to residential structures
    • Per (100) square feet of added floor space or fraction thereof is $40.00
  • Subject to $4.50 state fee
  • Subject to $50.00 review fee

• Building Permit Application
• Shut off notices
  • PECO: Gas and/or Electric
  • Aqua: Domestic Water
• Rodent Report- provided by exterminator that the structure has been treated and is free of rodents
• Sanitary Sewer Cap-Off Permit (submitted by Master Plumber only)
• Fee Schedule:
  • Demolition of residential structures:
    • Up to (1,000) square feet of building to be removed is $75.00
    • Each addition (1,000) square feet of building to be removed over (1,000) or fraction thereof is $20.00. 
  • Sanitary Sewer Cap-Off
    • $85.00
    • $4.50 State Fee

Driveway/Walkway/Patios and any additional concrete, macadam or other impervious surfaces: 

• Building Permit
• Storm Water Permit
  • Rain Barrel Permit (up to 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires two rain barrels)
  • Seepage Pit/Dry Well/Rain Garden Permit (over 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires a Seepage Pit or a Rain Garden)
  • Please note, storm water permit fee payment must be made by check and separately from other permit fees.
• Plot Plan;
  • Sample Plot Plan
  • Calculation Sheet
• Materials List 
• Fee Schedule:
  • Impervious Surfaces Coverage: $50.00
    • Up to (250) square feet of surface is $50.00;
    • Over (250) square feet, for each additional (100) square feet or fraction thereof is $10.00. 

• Submit an online dumpster/portable storage unit application by clicking here. 

• Electrical Permit Application
• Inspections must be conducted by an approved third party agency found on the application. Reports are to be submitted to the Township.
• We do not accept Fire Alarm Plans combined with Electrical Permit Submittals. Fire Alarm Plans require a separate permit from the Fire Marshal’s Office.
• Fee Schedule:
  •  Subject to $4.50 state fee

  • Project Cost	Fees
    $1 - $500	$15
    $501 - $1,000	$30
    $1,001 - $1,500	$45
    $1,501 - $2,000	$60
    Each $1,000 over $2,000 or fraction thereof	$15

• Apply for a Fence Permit Online 
• Building Permit Application
  • Please note, only the highlighted parts on the application need to be filled out. 
• Plot Plan 
  • Sample Plot Plan
  • Identify if you are a corner property
• Fee Schedule:
  • For fencing (fee schedule #11)
    • $.30 per linear foot
  • For retaining walls (fee schedule #12)
    • $1.50 per linear foot
• Structural review/plan from a professional engineer is required for any wall or retaining wall over 48" in height.
• Grading plan may be required if any changes to topography are proposed for the installation of a new retaining wall.

Please click here to view Fire Protection Permits. 

All Fire Protection Plans & Permits are submitted through the Fire Marshal’s Office.

• Building Permit Application
• Unit being installed specs
• Gas line diagram, if applicable
  • If gas run to structure, PECO Adequacy Report must be submitted to the Township
• Fee Schedule:
  • $4.50 state fee
  • $50 review fee

• Building Permit Application
  • Please note, only the highlighted parts on the application need to be filled out. 
• Storm Water Permit
  • Rain Barrel Permit (up to 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires two rain barrels)
  • Seepage Pit/Dry Well/Rain Garden Permit (over 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires a Seepage Pit or a Rain Garden)
  • Please note, storm water permit fee payment must be made by check and separately from other permit fees.
• Plot Plan;
  • Sample Plot Plan
  • Calculation Sheet
• If you are building the garage or shed, construction drawings must be submitted
• Fee Schedule:
  • Shed:
    
    • Less than (144) square feet of floor space - $25.00
    • Over (144) square feet of floor space, for each additional (50) square feet or fraction thereof - $15.00
  • Detached Garage:
    • Each 100 square feet of floor space or fraction thereof $40.00

• Building Permit Application
• Electrical Permit Application
• Generator Flyer
• Generator Requirements
• PECO Form
• Plot Plan:
  • Sample Plot Plan
  • Fee Schedule

• Project Cost	Fees
  $1 - $500	$25
  $501 - $1,000	$40
  $1,001 - $2,000	$75
  $2,001 - $3,000	$110
  $3,001 - $4,000	$145
  $4,001 - $5,000	$180
  Each $1,000 over $5,000 or fraction thereof	$35

   

  • Electrical Fee Schedule (Cost of Electrical Only)

  Project Cost	Fees
  $1 - $500	$15
  $501 - $1,000	$30
  $1,001 - $1,500	$45
  $1,501 - $2,000	$60
  Each $1,000 over $2,000 or fraction thereof	$15

   

• State fee of $4.50
• Review fee $50
• PECO Adequacy Form
• Gas line diagram, if applicable
• Spec sheets of generator

Please note: Separate Electrical permit applications are required for HVAC installations. Job cost needs to be broken out on both applications between the cost for the HVAC and Electrical.  

• HVAC Permit Application
• Unit specs
• Fee Schedule:

  Project Cost	Fee
  $1 - $500	$25
  $501- $1,000	$35
  Each $1,000 over $1,000 cost	$10

• Electrical Permit Application
• Inspections must be conducted by an approved third party agency found on the application. Reports are to be submitted to the Township.
• Fee Schedule:
  •  Subject to $4.50 state fee

  • Project Cost	Fees
    $1 - $500	$15
    $501 - $1,000	$30
    $1,001 - $1,500	$45
    $1,501 - $2,000	$60
    Each $1,000 over $2,000 or fraction thereof	$15

Click here to view the "New Single Family Dwelling Construction Checklist."

For more information regarding new construction, please contact Engineering and Code Services at 267-536-1000 ext. 4. 

• Plumbing Permit Application
• Applications must be submitted by and inspections must be scheduled by a master plumber that is registered with the Township
• Fee Schedule
  • $85 for 1- 6 fixtures
  • $15 for each additional fixture
  • $4.50 state fee

• Apply Online for a Roofing/Siding Permit 
• Building Permit Application
  • Please note, only the highlighted parts on the application need to be filled out. 
• Fee Schedule: 

• Project Cost	Fees
  $1 - $500	$25
  $501 - $1,000	$40
  $1,001 - $2,000	$75
  $2,001 - $3,000	$110
  $3,001 - $4,000	$145
  $4,001 - $5,000	$180
  Each $1,000 over $5,000 or fraction thereof	$35

• Apply Online for a Sidewalk Permit 
• Sidewalk permit
• Curb Cut Permit if Applicable - will be obtained in the Engineering Department

The below only applies if you are expanding your driveway or expanding/adding any private walkways:

• Calculation Sheet
• Plot Plan
• Storm Water Permit
  • Rain Barrel Permit (up to 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires two rain barrels)
  • Seepage Pit/Dry Well/Rain Garden Permit (over 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires a Seepage Pit or a Rain Garden)
  • Please note, storm water permit fee payment must be made by check and separately from other permit fees.
• Fee Schedule:
  • Impervious Surfaces Coverage: $50.00
    • Up to (250) square feet of surface is $50.00;
    • Over (250) square feet, for each additional (100) square feet or fraction thereof is $10.00.

• Building Permit Application
• Fee Schedule (Item #14)
• Subject to $50.00 plan review fee and $4.50 state fee. 

• Project Cost	Fees
  $1 - $500	$25
  $501 - $1,000	$40
  $1,001 - $2,000	$75
  $2,001 - $3,000	$110
  $3,001 - $4,000	$145
  $4,001 - $5,000	$180
  Each $1,000 over $5,000 or fraction thereof	$35

• Electrical Permit Application
  • Inspections must be conducted by an approved third party agency found on the application. Reports are to be submitted to the Township.
  • Applicants must separate job costs for building and electrical. 
• Fee Schedule:
  •  Subject to $4.50 state fee

  • Project Cost	Fees
    $1 - $500	$15
    $501 - $1,000	$30
    $1,001 - $1,500	$45
    $1,501 - $2,000	$60
    Each $1,000 over $2,000 or fraction thereof	$15

• Approval from utility company (usually PECO)
• Two sets of structural plans signed and sealed from a Pennsylvania licensed Professional Engineer

• Swimming Pool Permit Application
• Storm Water Permit
  • Rain Barrel Permit (up to 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires two rain barrels)
  • Seepage Pit/Dry Well/Rain Garden Permit (over 250 square feet of new impervious coverage requires a Seepage Pit or a Rain Garden)
  • Please note, storm water permit fee payment must be made by check and separately from other permit fees.
• HVAC Permit Application
  • Please note, the HVAC permit application only needs to be completed if a heating unit for the pool water is going to be installed as well. 
• Electrical Permit Application
• Swimming Pool Guidelines - PA Department of Environmental Resources
• Swimming Pool Requirements
• Plot Plan
  • Sample Plot Plan
  • Calculation Sheet

In Ground Pool

• Engineered Plot Plans;
• Section of Pool Construction;
• Fee Schedule:
  • In-ground pools shall be charged $35.00 per each $1,000 dollars of contract price, computed to the nearest thousand. 
  • Subject to $50.00 review fee
  • Subject to $4.50 state fee

Above Ground Pool

• Plot Plans
• Amount of water the pool holds (gallons).
• Fee Schedule:
  • Above ground pools shall be charged $15.00 per each 1,000 gallons of water capacity
  • Subject to $50.00 review fee
  • Subject to $4.50 state fee

• Apply Online for a Tank Installation Permit 
• Tank Installation
• Fire Marshal's Office - Tank Removal Permit
• Fee Schedule
  • $30 for each 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof
  • State Fee: $4.50

As provided by Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds, "to change, add or remove a name on your deed a new deed needs to be recorded reflecting the change. Many people think they can come into the office and change the present recorded deed with a form, but that is not the case. Once a deed is recorded it cannot be changed. We recommend you consult a real estate attorney or title company to prepare a new deed.

If a married couple held the property jointly as tenants by entireties and one spouse dies, it is not necessary to remove that spouse’s name from the deed. If/when the survivor sells or mortgages the property, he/she simply explains in the new deed or mortgage that the other spouse is deceased. A special instance due to a particular legal situation could occur where the name should be deleted, therefore, we recommend consulting an attorney or title company for specific advice.

If someone marries, it is not required to change the name on the deed to the married name, but because of a particular legal situation it may be desirable, therefore we again recommend consulting an attorney or title company for specific advice.

Our office cannot recommend a real estate attorney or title company. The following organizations may be able to provide recommendations:

• Montgomery County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Pennsylvania Land Title Association
• Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania"

From Montgomery County's Recorder of Deeds web-page "How Do I Change/Add/Remove a Name on a Deed."

Deeds must be registered with Montgomery County. Please ensure that your title company and/or lawyer is handling deed registration. 

When registering a deed for Abington Township, the following requirements must be met:

1. Affidavit: "Affidavit for Display of Street Numbers and Installation of Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors" Ordinance No. 1894 must be presented, signed by either the sellers or the buyers and notarized. An exception is made to those who are registering deed that are for vacant lots. Click here to download the "Affidavit for Display of Street Numbers and Installation of Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors" form.
2. Corporate (or other business entity) Registry Information: When a corporation, partnership, or other entity other than an individual or individuals presents a deed for recording, the names and addresses of the corporate officers, general partners or such other officials, of the recording entity, as may be appropriate, must be identified. A copy of the Corporate Deed registration can be found here or in the Fire Marshal's Office located at the Township Building. To view Ordinance No. 2203, please click here.
3. Please note, a copy of the deed is not required, however, it would be helpful to send us a copy to update for the new owners. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 267-536-1057. 

All properties within Abington Township are required to have a minimum of three-inch numerals be placed on the street side of a structure and visible from the center of the street.

When selling a home the seller must certify the display of street address numbers by submitting the "Display of Street Address Numbers and Installation of Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Affidavit."

Smoke detectors must be placed on each level and in each bedroom or sleeping area of any dwelling. In dwellings with existing hard wire smoke detector systems not covering all areas, battery powered smoke detectors may be installed. Carbon Monoxide detectors are required; the detector should be installed no further than 40-feet from every sleeping area. 

When selling a home the seller must certify the presence of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors by submitting the "Display of Street Address Numbers and Installation of Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Affidavit."

Abington Township utilities are provided by the following:

• Public Water: Aqua America, Pennsylvania
• Electric: PECO
• Gas: PECO
• Sanitary Sewer: Abington Township

For more information such as trash day and voting district, residents can use our address look-up tool found next to "News" on the homepage.