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.

Building Permit Information

Building Permits are required for:

Building Code Enforcement Officer

Jeff Shaffer

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:

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

Blair County Controlled Burn

Blair County Housing & Redevelopment Authority

Blair Township Water & Sewer Authority

Blair Township Planning Commission

Central PA Humane Society

IRC Recycling

Fair Housing

Mid Penn Services – Landlord Issues

Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance

Department Of Labor & Industry Uniform Construction Code

PA Department Of Community & Economic Development

PA Department Of Environmental Protection

PA Game Commission Wildlife Complaints

Starting A Business In Pennsylvania

MS4 Information

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:

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

Building Permits & Code Enforcement

Blair County Tax Collection

PA Municipal Code Alliance

PA Department Of Labor & Industry