Scranton, Pennsylvania Building Permits
Plan your Scranton, Pennsylvania building permit with details on fees, timelines, zoning, inspections, code, snow loads, wind, flood zones and seismic design.
Wind
ASCE 7 basic wind speed: typically 115 mph ultimate design wind speed for Risk Category II buildings in Scranton; final pressures depend on exposure, topography, enclosure, and risk category.
Snow Load
Ground snow load: commonly about 40 psf in Scranton and Lackawanna County; drifting, unbalanced snow, roof slope, and higher elevations may require project-specific analysis.
Flood
FEMA floodplain review may apply near the Lackawanna River, Roaring Brook, Keyser Creek, Stafford Meadow Brook, and mapped tributaries. Work in Special Flood Hazard Areas may require floodplain permits, elevation documentation, substantial-improvement review, and flood-resistant construction measures.
Earthquake
Seismic design category: typically SDC B for many Risk Category II buildings in Scranton on standard soil assumptions, subject to confirmation based on ASCE 7 site class, mapped acceleration values, and occupancy risk category.
Wildfire
Wildfire risk is generally low to moderate in the urbanized portions of Scranton. No broad citywide WUI code requirement is typical, but hillside or wooded-edge properties should maintain vegetation clearance, emergency access, and ignition-resistant exterior materials where practical.
Building Department
City of Scranton Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits
Approval Timeline
For complete applications, simple residential permits such as roofing, minor repairs, decks, and small interior alterations may be reviewed in about 5-10 business days. Residential additions, garages, structural repairs, and projects needing zoning review commonly take 2-4 weeks. Commercial permits, change-of-use projects, restaurants, multi-family work, fire-protection systems, and larger tenant improvements often take 3-6 weeks or longer depending on plan completeness, third-party review, fire review, and required revisions.
Common Requirements
Typical Scranton permit applications require owner and contractor information, job address, construction valuation, description of work, zoning information, site or plot plan, construction drawings, floor plans, elevations for exterior work, framing and foundation details, energy-code information, and equipment specifications where applicable. Commercial projects usually require sealed plans, a code analysis, occupancy classification, construction type, egress plan, accessibility compliance, fire-rated construction details, mechanical/electrical/plumbing drawings, emergency lighting and exit sign layouts, and fire alarm or sprinkler plans. Additional permits may be required for demolition, signs, street occupancy, sidewalks, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire protection.
Zoning Information
Scranton’s zoning ordinance regulates permitted uses, dimensional standards, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, signs, and special district requirements. Zoning review is especially important for conversions, multi-family dwellings, additions, accessory structures, parking modifications, mixed-use buildings, and commercial changes of occupancy. Nonconforming properties, common in older Scranton neighborhoods, may need zoning confirmation or zoning hearing board approval before a building permit is issued.
Permit Costs
Scranton permit fees vary by scope, use, valuation, number of inspections, and separate trade permits. Small residential repair or trade permits may commonly be about $50-$250. Decks, garages, additions, and larger residential alterations may range from roughly $150-$1,000 or more. Commercial tenant improvements, restaurants, multi-family work, and change-of-use permits can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on project valuation and review needs. Confirm the current City fee schedule because state UCC fees, reinspection fees, and penalties for work without a permit may apply.
Engineering Requirements
Stamped drawings from a Pennsylvania-licensed engineer or architect are commonly required for commercial work, multi-family buildings, changes of occupancy, structural modifications, engineered beams, retaining walls, foundation repairs, fire-rated assemblies, special inspections, and non-prescriptive construction. Scranton’s older masonry and hillside building stock may also trigger engineering for retaining walls, settlement repairs, basement wall reinforcement, roof framing changes, and removal of load-bearing walls.
Local Code Adoption
Scranton administers permits under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. The PA UCC uses statewide-adopted ICC codes with Pennsylvania amendments; many reviews have been based on the 2018 IBC, IRC, IECC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, and related standards unless a newer state-adopted edition applies. Applicants should confirm the enforced edition with the Department of Licensing, Inspections and Permits.
Typical Projects
Common Scranton permit projects include porch and deck repairs, roof replacements for snow loads, retaining walls and hillside site work, basement and foundation repairs, rowhouse and twin-home renovations, garage construction, residential additions, downtown office and retail tenant fit-outs, restaurant work, multi-family code upgrades, fire alarm and sprinkler improvements, signs, and adaptive reuse of older industrial or commercial buildings.