Door-to-door solicitors must also be licensed and are subject to a background check by city police. The cost of the license is $100 per week and $250 per year. This is non-transferable each person shall carry ID and copy of license with them.

Transient retail business such as fireworks sales, flower sales, and tent sales must pay a licensure fee as follows:

• Under Tent Outdoors (per week) - $500
• Circuses/Sideshows (per day) $300
• Parades (per day) $250
• Carnivals (per week) $250

When do I need to obtain a building permit?

Building permits are required for any interior renovations to your property including plumbing, electrical and general repair. Building permits are also required for exterior renovations including new siding, roof or sidewalk, the addition of sheds and fences and paving, and blacktop and concrete work. Some of these projects may require you to obtain a zoning permit as well.

What is the cost of a building permit?

Please contact the License & Permits office at (570) 459-4960 for more information.Commercial Projects (including 3 or more units) requiring third party inspections vary and you should contact the Licenses & Permits office for requirements and rates at (570) 459-4960.

Please note:permit applications can require up to 15 days for a residential property and 30 days for a commercial property. All outstanding fees and fines must be paid up before a permit can be issued. This includes property taxes, garbage, water and sewer.

When do I need to obtain a zoning application?

Residential zoning permits are required for such things as additions to your home, the installation of fences, swimming pools, decks, sheds, garages and other buildings, and the construction of a driveway or other off-street parking lot.

What is the fee for a residential zoning application?

The fee for a residential zoning permit is $75.00 per unit.

When do I need to obtain a commercial zoning permit?

Commercial zoning permits are required for all new businesses, whether new construction or those that move into existing buildings. Applicants must first file a zoning application. An occupancy inspection is also required.

What is the fee for a commercial zoning application?

The fee for a commercial zoning permit is $125.00.

Please allow 15 days to process a zoning permit application.

All outstanding fees and fines must be paid up before a permit can be issued. This includes property taxes, garbage, water, and sewer.

Zoning Permit Application

What is an occupancy inspection?

The Building Code Official (BCO) will issue a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) will be issued final inspection has been completed for a commercial property. They check for adequate fire extinguishers, proper exit signs, and any defects that may need to be fixed before occupancy is approved.

A code enforcement, BCO and or a Fire Chief can inspect residential dwellings to insure there are not code violations. As per the rental registration and inspection ordinance. They check for adequate fire extinguishers, and any defects that may need to be fixed prior to a certification of compliance is issued.

What is the fee for an occupancy inspection?

The fee for an inspection scheduled 15 days in advance will be $75.00 per dwelling unit or $150.00 per commercial unit. For an inspection with less than 15 days’ notice, the fee will be $150.00 per dwelling unit or $250.00 per commercial unit. Any inspection scheduled within 72 hours, the fee will be $300.00 per dwelling unit or $500.00 per commercial unit, which shall be paid to the city and shall accompany each request for inspection of a dwelling or commercial unit. For the purpose of this section, a dwelling unit occupied as a condominium or townhouse shall be considered a single-family dwelling. One certificate of occupancy, along with any associated correspondences, will be issued to the applicant. Any additional copies will be charged at $5.00 per document (including all correspondences). Any cancellations, rescheduling, or no-shows requested or caused by the applicant will be assessed an additional $50.00 fee.

Click here to download the Request for Occupancy form

What are the fees for demolitions?

The permit fees for demolitions are as follows:

• Storage sheds - $40
• Residential garages - $100
• Single home - $350
• Double dwelling home - $500
• Commercial buildings - $500 flat fee up to 10,000 square feet. Buildings over 10,000 square feet $500 plus additional price per square foot.

Please note: permit applications can require up to 15 days for a residential property and 30 days for a commercial property. All outstanding fees and fines must be paid up before a permit can be issued. This includes property taxes, garbage, water and sewer.

Home improvement contractors need to be registered with the Attorney General's office in Harrisburg. Contractors are required to obtain a Hazleton City Contractors Business License, if working on a commercial structure or building a new dwelling in the City of Hazleton.

In order to be licensed, contractors must present a copy of their insurance policy, including at least $500,000 in liability insurance, and proof of workers compensation insurance, if other employees work for the contractor.

All contractors applying for permits must present an estimate, written to the client, and description of the job they are performing.

Please note: permit applications can require up to 15 days for a residential property and 30 days for a commercial property. All outstanding fees and fines must be paid up before a permit can be issued. This includes property taxes, garbage, water and sewer.

Site plan(s) showing to scale the size and location of all new construction and all existing structures on the site. Distances from lot lines, established street grades and the proposed finished grades. Site plan shall be drawn in accordance with an accurate boundary line survey, and include accessibility details: Parking, loading zones, accessible route(s) to building entrances.

Three (3) sets of plans and specifications signed and sealed by a registered design professional licensed in the state where the construction is to be performed. Plans shall include the following information.

• (a) Front, rear and side elevations
• (b) Type(s) construction
• (c) Use group(s) and use of each area or room
• (d) Occupant load of each area or room
• (e) Means of egress plan
• (f) Rated assembly details with design numbers
• (g) Window, door and finish schedule
• (h) Design loads and design calculations
• (i) Shop and prefabricated component drawings
• (j) Wall, floor, roof and foundation sections
• (k) Details, connections and material designation
• (l) Accessible features: counters, bathrooms, doorways, etc.

Three (3) sets of plans and specifications signed and sealed by a registered design professional licensed in the state where the construction is to be performed. Plans shall include the following information.

• (a) Location of electrical devices: lighting, receptacles, switches, equipment, appliances, transformers, panels and sub panels.
• (b) Size, type and number of conductors in conduit and raceway.
• (c) Size and type of conduit and raceway.
• (d) Panel and subpanel schedule with load calculations.
• (e) Single line diagram.
• (f) Load calculations for service equipment.
• (g) Size, locations and type of connection for ground wires and connectors.
• (h) Emergency lighting and exit signs.
• (i) Location of GFCI receptacles.
• (j) Size and demand of electrical appliances, equipment and devices.
• (k) Grounding and overcurrent protection systems.

Three (3) sets of plans and specifications signed and sealed by a registered design professional licensed in the state where the construction is to be performed. Plans shall include the following information.

• (a) Isometric diagram of potable water supply system with fixtures, locations and WSFU values.
• (b) Isometric diagram of DWV system with fixtures, location and DFU values.
• (c) Hangers and supports.
• (d) Indirect waste piping.
• (e) Details of special devices: backflow, grease trap, sewer pump, oil separator, and steam boiler.
• (f) Specifications for all fixtures, appliances, piping material and connections for all plumbing systems.
• (g) Design basis for sizing of potable water supply system.
• (h) Storm drainage calculations.
• (i) Material designation.

Three (3) sets of plans and specifications signed and sealed by a registered design professional licensed in the state where the construction is to be performed. Plans shall include the following information.

• (a) Location and size of equipment.
• (b) Air distribution and return air system.
• (c) Ventilation and exhaust schedule(s).
• (d) Duct detection system.
• (e) Combustion air.
• (f) Gas piping diagram.
• (g) Oil piping diagram.
• (h) Hydronic piping diagram.
• (i) Chimney system.
• (j) Vent system.
• (k) Design calculations.
• (l) Floor plan(s) of systems and piping.
• (m) Material designation.

Three (3) sets of plans and specifications signed and sealed by a registered design professional licensed in the state where the construction is to be performed. Plans shall include the following information.

• (a) Types of systems or services.
• (b) System signals and functions.
• (c) Monitoring.
• (d) Location of alarm initiating devices.
• (e) Types of alarm initiating circuits.
• (f) Primary and secondary power sources.
• (g) Wiring types and methods.
• (h) Manufacturer’s specifications.
• (i) Manufacturer’s installations instructions.

Three sets of plans/specifications or documents signed by the designer shall be submitted. Plans shall include the following information.

• (a) Insulation details in conformance with the prescriptive requirement of 2015 IECC.
OR
• (b) Compliant ‘ComCheck’ certificates to include envelope, lighting and HVAC. Must be signed by designer.
OR
• (c) Compliant design in conformance with ASHRAE 90.1 must be sealed by Architect or Engineer.

Note: All residential work can be exempt from professional seal requirements if it is light conventional frame construction and uses the prescriptive aspects of the IRC (International Residential Code)

Footers with any related rebar.

Foundations – Pre-pour rebar.

Foundations: Perimeter Drains & Damp proofing.

Rough-ins: prior to any wall or ceiling closures.

• Frame
• Electrical
• Plumbing including testing
• HVAC & Mechanical

Sprinkler

Fire Alarm

Insulation / Energy

Drywall / Sheet Rock / Wallboard

Sprinkler Final

Fire Alarm Final

HVAC / Mechanical Final

Final Electric

Final Building

Footers with any related rebar.

Foundations – Pre-pour rebar.

Foundations: Perimeter Drains & Damp proofing.

Rough-ins: prior to any wall or ceiling closures.

• Frame
• Electrical
• Plumbing including testing
• HVAC & Mechanical

Insulation / Energy

Drywall / Sheet Rock / Wallboard

Final Electric

Final Building

Note: Apartments, rooming houses, and similar types are not residential.

IBC (International Building Code) 2015 and all referenced sub-codes and Standards.

For Handicap Accessibility IBC (International Building Code) 2018 and all Referenced Standards.

Ground Snow Load 40psf or Roof live load 30psf with no reductions.

Frost Depths 42”

Wind Load 115 mph

Climate zone 5A