Commercial Building Permits

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

We’re modernizing our permitting and licensing process with OpenGov—a secure, easy-to-use online portal that puts everything in one place.

Apply online, pay online, request inspections, and track your application every step of the way. OpenGov brings greater transparency, convenience, and efficiency to how we serve our community.

Access OpenGov: https://upperdublinpa.portal.opengov.com/

General Information

Building plans and permit applications are required to be submitted and permits must be issued by Upper Dublin Township prior to commencement of any work.

Permit Applications and Guides for submittal can be found and downloaded at the bottom of this page. Paper copies are also available in the lobby of the Township Building.

Completed permit applications can be submitted the following ways:

Email: permits@upperdublin.net

-OR-

Mail/Drop-off: Upper Dublin Township
801 Loch Alsh Avenue
Fort Washington, PA 19034
Drop Box in Lobby

Important Note: Incomplete and illegible permit applications will delay the review of the application. ALL email addresses must be completed for the property owner, contractors, etc. No applications will be accepted without email addresses.

Fees & Late Fees

Permit Fees

Permit application fees are due prior to the application being submitted for review. Once the application has been reviewed for completeness, staff will send via email a review of any missing items that are required and, if no deficiencies are found, an invoice for the application fees. This invoice can be paid via check or with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover) over the phone.

Permit application fees are noted on the permit applications for your reference.
- Note: For any application based on “Cost of Construction” the amount is rounded up to the next $1,000.
The application fees also include a State UCC Fee of $4.50 which is in addition to the Township permit fees. This fee is added onto all Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Demolition, and Sewer applications.

Late Fees

Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, or electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system, including any demolition, before obtaining the required permits shall be subject to a late fee for each required permit.

The late fee shall be paid in addition to the required permit fee and shall be paid in an amount equal to the required permit fee up to a maximum of $1,000.

Processing Fee

As of September 3, 2024, a non-refundable processing fee will be added to all credit card transactions made through Upper Dublin Township (program registrations, permit fees, bulk trash payments, etc.). Processing fees are paid directly to a third-party credit card vendor and are not paid to the Township.

We accept the following major credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. To avoid a processing fee, the Township can accept payments via cash or check.

Turnaround Time

Review Process

No permits will be issued on a same-day basis.

Zoning Officer Review: No building or structure shall be constructed or altered in the Township, nor shall the use of any building, structure or land be changed until the Zoning Officer has reviewed and approved same. Therefore, if the project contained in the permit application package requires a zoning review, the complete permit application will be placed for review by the Zoning Officer. Such projects include, but are not limited to, additions, alterations, tenant fit outs, fences, new building structures, antennas, etc.
Code Enforcement Review: After the Zoning Officer has reviewed and approved the application, the application will be placed with the Code Department for review. The review process for commercial projects is approximately 30 business days. Please plan your projects accordingly. The Department will endeavor / try to meet this timeframe.
Grading Permit Review: When a grading permit has been applied for in conjunction with proposed construction, the 30-day approval/denial time-frame may be extended because the building permit cannot be issued until the grading permit has been approved.

If at any time during the plan review process, additional information is requested and/or plan review comments (denial) are issued, the application timeframe noted above will start again once the revised submission and/or additional information has been received.

Once the application has been reviewed and approved and is ready for issuance, staff will contact the applicant to schedule a pre-demo inspection prior to issuance of the demo permit. A final demo inspection is required to be scheduled and performed prior to start of construction.

Contractors

Contractor Paperwork

All contractors must be on file with Upper Dublin Township and the proper paperwork submitted along with the applications.

A Contractor Registration Form is required to be completed and submitted along with the application is not previously on file (found in the Forms document folder below).
- If the Contractor is exempt from workers compensation insurance, the Exemption section must be signed and notarized.
A Certificate of Insurance noting general liability and workers compensation with Upper Dublin Township as a certificate holder must also be submitted along with the application

Demolition

Commercial Permit Guides, Applications, & Forms

Please note that the page will refresh each time a document folder is opened or closed and you must scroll back down to view the files in that folder.