Building Permits & Code Enforcement / Ordinances
When To Call 811 – PA One Call System
PA One Call System, Inc. is a privately-funded, nonprofit corporation instituted to prevent damage to underground utilities caused by individuals digging, or otherwise entering the ground without the knowledge of what utility infrastructure might be present. Pipeline locations cannot be assumed and are not generally marked. Fully 99% of all third party damage to pipelines and underground utilities can be prevented by simply calling 811 a minimum of two days prior to digging. It is a municipal, including a Blair Township, requirement that you dial 811 before digging. Calls to 811 will generate a Serial Number which is needed in order to complete any Blair Township Building Permit Application. For more information on PA One Call System, please click on the link below. A brochure with extended information on PA One Call System Routine Notifications is also available below.
PA One Call System Routine Notifications Brochure
Building Permit Information
Building Permits are required for:
- All New Houses (check for Stormwater Management Requirements)
- Additions to Exterior/Alterations of Existing Houses
- Swimming Pools (in ground & above ground)
- Garages/Carports
- Demolitions
- Out Dwellings (including sheds & utility buildings)
- Fences over 6 Feet & Walls Over 4 Feet
- Roofing with Any Structural Changes (along with other structures/needs for permits not mentioned)
Building Code Enforcement Officer
Jeff Shaffer
- 814-494-8235
- 171 Buffalo Creek Road
Berlin, PA 15530 - [email protected]
- 8 AM – 4 PM • Mon – Fri
If you are in doubt about needing a permit or have any questions regarding Building Permits, please call Officer Shaffer before you start your project.
Applications for permits are available at the Blair Township Municipal Building, 375 Cedarcrest Drive, Duncansville, from 8:00AM until 3:30PM Monday through Friday, or downloadable versions of the Building Permits can be found below.
Blair Township, like all Pennsylvania Municipalities, is under The Uniform Construction Code. This requires State Mandated Forms and Inspections. Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance, Inc. is the Township’s third party UCC Inspection Agency.
Residents in the FLOOD PLAIN areas need to be especially careful to get approval before planning any construction or improvements. This is heavily monitored by FEMA.
Applications for permits should be made at least ten working days prior to the beginning of ANY construction.
Additional information on the State Uniform Construction Code (UCC) can be acquired on the Pennsylvania Labor & Industry Website.
Building Permit Forms
All Building Permit Application Submissions MUST include a Land Use Permit Application Checklist.
Blair Township Setback Regulations
Blair Township’s current setbacks are as follows for residential construction: 35 feet from the front, 25 feet from the rear, and 15 feet from the side property lines. Measurements should begin at the property line to measure the distance of setback. The standard setback is 60 feet from the Everett Railroad tracks (measure center of tracks out 30 feet), but in some areas varies depending on location. Contact Everett Railroad for setbacks per location at (814) 695-9628.
PLEASE NOTE – Corner lots have two fronts (35’ setbacks from two sides).
If your proposed construction does not fall within these property guidelines, a variance* will need to be applied for and approved by the Board of Supervisors prior to any building permits being granted. A drawing of the building showing setbacks from property lines will be required.
*In addition to the other requirements of the Township, in order for any person to obtain a variance to the setback requirements of the Township, the requestor must provide a variance agreement prepared by a licensed attorney certifying to the legal title of the properties involved and in recordable form for the land records of Blair County. However, the final variance document shall be in a form that is acceptable to the Township. A variance template can be obtained by contacting the Township office.
Code/Ordinance Enforcement
One of the many basic services Blair Township provides is to ensure that our neighborhoods are orderly, clean, and free of public nuisances. For those purposes, the Township has adopted various laws and policies that promote appropriate and compatible land uses in our neighborhoods, and promote orderly and desirable development over time.
Laws have been established that regulate nuisances within the Township, such as unsafe buildings, junk and abandoned vehicles, accumulations of objectionable material, and yards that are not maintained.
Having those regulations, however, is not enough unless they are effectively enforced. By enforcing these regulations, the Code Enforcement Officer promotes and protects the public health, safety and welfare. In Blair Township, Code Enforcement is based on six distinct and important items:
- Whenever possible work to achieve compliance without the need for formal enforcement proceedings
- Prioritize needs and focus on improving quality
- Work to inform involved parties rather than process a large number of complaints quickly, with little or no personal contact
- Ensure open and effective communication with the public and other departments
- Work to educate the general public about the role of code enforcement and ordinance requirements
- Take the time necessary to conduct general surveillance of the Township, as well as review ordinance and develop project and initiatives, that will address areas of concern
Remember, the Blair Township Police Department is here to help. Working together will prevent blight in our neighborhoods and throughout the Township, and further influence and enhance the quality of life in our Township. You can reach the Police Department at 814-696-3846 or email at [email protected].
Solicitor & Peddler License Permit
Persons of firms planning to conduct a direct sales, door-to-door business in the Township of Blair, shall make official application to do so when such business transaction shall be considered as soliciting of orders, vending, or peddling. Effective April 8, 2025, all Solicitor & Peddler License Permits must be accompanied with a criminal background report from the State of Pennsylvania or from the State of which the applicant is a resident. Click on the link to view Blair Township’s Solicitor and Peddler License Permit.
Blair Township Ordinances
On May 8, 2018, the Blair Township Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance 2018-01, Code of the Township of Blair. This Code effectively codified all relevant ordinances adopted by the Township from its earliest beginnings, now presented as one document. The Code is highly-indexed, cross-referenced and, via its online version, easily searched by specific subject matter.
To proceed with accessing the Code, use the link as follows: https://www.ecode360.com/BL3608.
Helpful Links
Blair County Conservation
- Website
Blair County Controlled Burn
- 814-940-5953
Blair County Housing & Redevelopment Authority
- Website
Blair County Sanitation Office
- 814-696-1229
- 225 Bedford Street
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648
Blair Township Water & Sewer Authority
- 814-695-6300
- Website
Blair Township Planning Commission
- 814-940-5978
- View Page
Central PA Humane Society
- 814-942-5402
- Website
IRC Recycling
- Website
Fair Housing
- Website
Mending Hearts Animal Rescue
- 814-327-7991 – Pam
- 814-418-3078 – Luanne
- Website
Mid Penn Services – Landlord Issues
- 1-800-326-9177
Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance
- 814-310-2326
- Website
Department Of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code
- Website
- View Services
PA Department Of Community & Economic Development
- Website
PA Department Of Environmental Protection
- Website
PA Dog Warden
- 814-880-9225 – Bob Beck
PA Game Commission Wildlife Complaints
- 814-643-1831
- Website
Starting A Business In Pennsylvania
- Website
MS4 Information
- Website
Fema Floodplain Information
- Website
- Publications
- Flood Map Search
Opening Or Operating A Business In Blair Township
Whether constructing a new building or renovating an existing one, the following permits and licenses must be obtained and/or registrations completed:
- Building Permit – Under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) and Township ordinance, a building permit is required and UCC inspection criteria met.
- Pertinent American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements must be met.
- Commercial Occupancy Permit – Required and can be obtained through the PA Department of Labor & Industry.
- Business License – Required and can be obtained through the PA Department of Labor & Industry.
- Blair County Tax Collection Bureau – Businesses must be registered with this Bureau.
- Zoning – There is no zoning in Blair Township.
IRC 2009 Section R110 Certificate of Occupancy. R110.1-No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the cognizant building official has issued a certificate.
Contact & Further Information
American With Disabilities Act
- 1-800-514-0301
Building Permits & Code Enforcement
- 717-496-4996 ext. 99162
- [email protected]
Blair County Tax Collection
- 814-947-4800
PA Municipal Code Alliance
- 717-496-4996
PA Department Of Labor & Industry
- 814-310-2326
Subdivision/Land Development