All Building and Zoning Permit Applications

As an interim practice while we invest in a web based permit application process, the paper forms have been converted to electronically fallible PDF forms. Below is a guide to help assist applicants during this time of transition.

This permit application screen is a "catch all" and can be used for all types of permit applications. We are in the process of constructing project specific permit applications to make this process easier. If you see the specific type of permit you wish to apply for listed in the menu bar to the left of your screen, we recommend you use that form instead as it will be specific to your project and not include unnecessary data entry of this general form.

Some documents are required to be notarized. In these cases you must provide a scanned copy of the complete and notarized form with your submission, AND provide the original notarized form along with your fee payment at the time you pick up your permit.

Permit application instructions:

The Permit Application Form we employed up to this point was printed on 11x17 paper in booklet format to allow it to be folded in half to act as a folder to hold the various supporting paper documents related to the permit throughout the construction and inspection process. As such, this form fillable PDF may not seem to be logically assembled. ALL PERMITS SUBMITTED MUST BE 11 X 17 SIZE. NO OTHER SIZE WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The same Permit Application Form previously printed on paper has been converted to a form fillable PDF document, as such it may not seem logically assembled as an electronic form. Please bear with us as we transition to electronic forms.

This single application form is used to apply for most Building and Zoning Permits. It is recommended you read through the permit section outline below BEFORE starting the process, then download the permit application and any supporting document(s) you may need based on the type of permit your applying for.

Once you complete the application form and have all the required supporting document information, you must submit your application electronically by following the instructions in step 14.

Once submitted, you will be notified within 7 to 10 business days of your application status. If approved, you will be notified of the fees associated with you permit and the date you may stop at the Building and Zoning office to pay the fees and pick up your permit. Payment must be by cash or check, credit cards are not accepted at this time.

If your permit is rejected, you will be notified as to why the permit was rejected. In some cases permits are rejected due to missing information, so please make doubly sure you submit all the required information and supporting documents requested in the application process. If you want to appeal the rejection you need to apply for a hearing before the Zoning Hearing Board or Building and Fire Codes Appeals Board depending on the reason the permit was rejected. Applications for appeal can be found in the Additional Documents section at the end of this document.

If you submit a permit application and a permit is not needed, you will be notified as such. You should retain that notification should questions be raised at a later date.

The person performing the work should be the person applying for, purchasing, and signing for the permit when issued.

Permit Application Process

Step 1 Do you need a permit?

Permits are generally required for all non-residential structure renovations, all residential renovations that alter the size or structural elements of an existing residential structure, all new construction, grading that exceeds 400 square feet or a slope exceeding 1 foot of rise/fall per 3 feet of travel, sheds, fences, pools, patios, hot tubs, logging, driveways and parking areas, decks, signs, etc.

Step 2 Download form.

Download the Building and Zoning Permit Application and save it to your device so you can complete the form. We recommend using Adobe Acrobat to complete the form, not all web browsers work well with PDF Forms. We recommend you create a project folder on your device in which to keep the permit application and any other documents related to your application/project.

Step 3 Section I - Location of building

All applicants must complete section I

Required fields
- At (Location) Street Number and Street Name (Required For All)
- Subdivision (Required For New Construction Only)
- Lot # (Required For New Construction Only)
Required Supporting Documents to be familiar with:
- None
Optional fields (Building/Zoning Department will populate these fields for you.)
- Zoning District
- Lot/Block #
Optional Supporting Documents to be aware of.
- Existing Franklin Park Zoning Map. Becoming familiar with your zoning district will help you identify requirements and restrictions related to your permit if you are trying to determine if Borough Zoning Code allows the project before you make application.

Step 4 Section II - Identification

All applicants must complete section II

Required fields
- Property Owner name, mailing address, phone, email information. (Required For All)
- Contractor name, mailing address, phone, email information. (Required If Contractor Is Used.)
- Architect/Engineer name, mailing address, phone, email information. (Required if architect/engineer used)
- Renter/Lessee name, mailing address, phone, email information. (Required if occupant is not the property owner)
Required Supporting Documents
- The Workers Compensation Affidavit Building Permit Insert (Required If Contractor Is Used.)
Optional fields (Building/Zoning Department will populate these fields for you.)
- None
Optional Supporting Documents to be aware of.
- None

Step 5 Section III - Type of Building

All applicants must complete section III

Required fields
- Check all that apply and provide details where requested.
Required Supporting Documents
- Sheds and Fences Requirements (Required Reading For Shed And Fence Permits)
  - This is your guide to applying for a shed or fence permit and the following required documents:
    - Lot Survey or Plot Plan.
    - Drawing Requirements.
- Swimming Pool Permit Requirements and Procedures (Required Reading For Pool/Hot Tub Permits)
  - This is your guide to applying for a swimming pool or hot tub permit and the following required documents:
    - Lot Survey or Plot Plan.
    - Stormwater Plan.
    - Drawing Requirements.
    - Barrier Requirements.
- Residential Deck Guide Requirements (Required Reading For Deck And Nonenclosed Porch Permits)
  - This is your guide to applying for a deck or nonenclosed porch permit and the following required documents:
    - Lot Survey or Plot Plan.
    - Drawing Requirements.
- Subdivision Application (Required For All Property Subdivisions) used to apply for the following types of property subdivision:
  - Minor Subdivision
  - Preliminary subdivision
  - Final subdivision
  - Preliminary and final subdivision
- Appendix B Stormwater O M Agreement this document must be sealed / notarized and defines the commitment to operate and maintain a permitted stormwater system. This is required to be issued an Occupancy Permit for any permit that involves disturbing 400 square feet or more earth, or making more than 400 square feet of earth impervious to water.
- Certificate of Occupancy Application used to apply for occupancy of new construction once all inspections are completed. Download this form and keep it until you are ready to request occupancy of your new structure.
Optional fields (Building/Zoning Department will populate these fields for you.)
- None
Supporting Documents to be aware of:
- Required Nonresidential Inspections SAMPLE is a sample copy of the form you will receive with your approved permit outlining the inspections you must schedule throughout the permitted nonresidential construction project.
- Required Residential Inspections SAMPLE is a sample copy of the form you will receive with your approved permit outlining the inspections you must schedule throughout the permitted residential construction project.

Step 6 Section IV - Validation

Section IV is for Borough use only, skip this section.

Step 7 Section V - Selected Characteristics Of Building

Section V is completed for all demolition, new buildings, additions and commercial renovations. Check the boxes and/or provide the requested information as required.

For Demolition/Wrecking Permits, Part H Is Required.
For new buildings, additions, and commercial renovations to existing structures, Parts C Through N Are Required.
For sheds, Parts C, H, And K Are Required.

Step 8 Section VI - Swimming Pools

Section VI is required to be completed for all Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs.

Step 9 Section VII - Fence

Section VII is required to be completed for all Fence Permits.

Step 10 Section VIII - Signs

Section VIII is required to be completed for all Sign Permits.

Step 11 Section IX - Zoning - Proposed Use Information

Section IX is required ONLY for Non-Residential Uses

Section IX is completed only for permits related to non-residential uses

Step 12 Review The Following Additional Document List

Download any and all documents that pertain to your project, become familiar with them and if necessary submit information necessary to comply with their requirements.

Code of Franklin Park Code Appendices A through L consisting of:
- Storm sewer construction
- Concrete curb construction
- Concrete sidewalk construction
- Asphalt road construction
- Erosion and sedimentation control guidelines
- Construction details
- Buffer area and landscaping requirements
- External review agencies
- Release of financial security
- Types & classes of application & submission requirements
- Drafting standards for plans for recording
Conditional Use Application this application is used when applying to use a property or structure for a use defined as a “Conditional Use” in the Borough of Franklin Park Zoning Code Use Tables
Emergency Action Plan Preparation Form commercial structure permits should complete this form for discussion with the Borough Fire Official’s Office to be sure you have an adequate Emergency Plan in place for your first annual Fire Inspection following construction.
Franklin Park Borough Fee Resolution this document is the current approved fee schedule for the Borough of Franklin Park. All fees associated with permit processes are defined within this document.
Field Inspection Report SAMPLE is an example of the Field Inspection Report you will receive after each inspection.
Grading Permit Application is required when the amount of soil disturbed or made impervious to water exceeds the maximum amount permitted as defined by Allegheny County.
Land Development Application This form is used when applying to develop currently undeveloped land within Franklin Park Borough.
Logging Application This form is used to apply for a Logging Permit.
Building and Fire Codes Appeals Board ApplicationThis form is used for:
- Appeal of a building code officials’ decision
- Request a variance from building or fire codes
- Request an extension of time.
Zoning Hearing Board Application This form is used to:
- Apply for a variance from the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance
- Appeal from any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by Zoning Officer.
- Challenge the validity of the Zoning Ordinance
- Appeal from the Borough Engineer or Zoning Officer’s determination with reference to any floodplain or flood hazard conditions.
- Others as specified in section 909.1 of the PA MPC (Act 247, as amended) and Section 212-2709 of the Franklin Park Borough

Step 13 Complete all forms and attachments and verify their content.

Be sure all required content is present and legible. If you are providing a document or drawing, make sure it is scanned to PDF at at least 300 DPI resolution, higher if there are fonts smaller than 10pt.

Step 14 Submit all forms

Email your completed permit application PDF Form and attach ALL the required supporting documents applicable to permitapplications@franklinparkborough.us . Be sure you include all required supporting documents on a single email, incomplete permit applications or applications with missing required supporting documents may be rejected or delayed in processing. If you are unable to compress the files enough to send everything via a single email, you may provide a link to a 3rd party service or cloud drive from which we can download your files. said link MUST be accessible for up to 10 days. Alternatively you may mail in a DVD Rom or a Thumb Drive and note on your permit application that the files are being shipped in.

The subject line of your email MUST use the following convention: Building number and/or lot number, street and/or development name, Name of the property owner. and type of permit applied for. See examples below

Examples:
- 1234 Sample Road, Bob Smith, Deck
- Lot 234 Franklin Village, New Homes Company, New Residential Construction
- 4321 Sample Road Franklin Village Lot 132, Another New Homes Company, New Residential Construction