Useful Hints

Hint #1

If you are thinking about purchasing property and have plans to change it or build on it for commercial use, contact the Borough Zoning Administrator before finalizing any agreement of sale. Buyers should be fully informed about whether the property in question can accommodate their plans. Sellers and real estate professionals will have some of the necessary information, but local officials should have answers to all questions regarding what types of commercial development are, or aren’t, suited for a particular property.

Hint #2

Before diving too deeply into your commercial development investment, call the Borough Zoning Administrator to arrange a preliminary review of your plans. At this early stage in the project, the local officials can steer you clear of major and minor problems with your plans, saving you money, time and headaches further down the road. When you meet with the zoning officer, try to bring as much information about your project as possible, including basic sketch plans, traffic and parking requirements, the number of employees that are expected for the site, a desired time frame, etc. This information will help the Zoning Administrator better understand what you hope to accomplish.

Hint #3

Pennsylvania’s Municipal Planning Code determines certain minimum and maximum time-frames for local zoning and development review and approval. Find out from local officials what amount of time you can expect your approval process to require, and then base your plans on that time-frame.

Hint #4

Depending on the scale of your project, local officials may or may not require a Certificate of Occupancy from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry prior to issuing a local Certificate of Use or Certificate of Occupancy. Ask local officials whether state approval will be required for your project.

Hint #5

For land development, which is a more complex review process, the following advice can save money and months to get your plans approved.

If possible, work with local engineers or architects who are familiar with local building code and local reviewers.
Prepare sketch plans for preliminary review by local officials. This can avoid mistakes early and save costly redrafts later.
The Borough’s engineer may have questions or comments after reviewing your plans. Respond to these concerns thoroughly and as soon as possible, to keep your plan review moving smoothly.

Hint #6

Pennsylvania’s Uniform Building Code was enacted in 2000 and will have far-reaching impact on how local officials conduct their reviews. The local review process will evolve to fit the requirements of this new state law; the Borough code enforcement office can tell you how this will affect your plans.


July 3, 2008

Business Useful Hints • Zoning Approval Timetable	Useful Hints Hint #1 If you are thinking about purchasing property and have plans to change it or build on it for commercial use, contact the Borough Zoning Administrator before finalizing any agreement of sale. Buyers should be fully informed about whether the property in question can accommodate their plans. Sellers and real estate professionals will have some of the necessary information, but local officials should have answers to all questions regarding what types of commercial development are, or aren’t, suited for a particular property. Hint #2 Before diving too deeply into your commercial development investment, call the Borough Zoning Administrator to arrange a preliminary review of your plans. At this early stage in the project, the local officials can steer you clear of major and minor problems with your plans, saving you money, time and headaches further down the road. When you meet with the zoning officer, try to bring as much information about your project as possible, including basic sketch plans, traffic and parking requirements, the number of employees that are expected for the site, a desired time frame, etc. This information will help the Zoning Administrator better understand what you hope to accomplish. Hint #3 Pennsylvania’s Municipal Planning Code determines certain minimum and maximum time-frames for local zoning and development review and approval. Find out from local officials what amount of time you can expect your approval process to require, and then base your plans on that time-frame. Hint #4 Depending on the scale of your project, local officials may or may not require a Certificate of Occupancy from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry prior to issuing a local Certificate of Use or Certificate of Occupancy. Ask local officials whether state approval will be required for your project. Hint #5 For land development, which is a more complex review process, the following advice can save money and months to get your plans approved. If possible, work with local engineers or architects who are familiar with local building code and local reviewers. Prepare sketch plans for preliminary review by local officials. This can avoid mistakes early and save costly redrafts later. The Borough’s engineer may have questions or comments after reviewing your plans. Respond to these concerns thoroughly and as soon as possible, to keep your plan review moving smoothly. Hint #6 Pennsylvania’s Uniform Building Code was enacted in 2000 and will have far-reaching impact on how local officials conduct their reviews. The local review process will evolve to fit the requirements of this new state law; the Borough code enforcement office can tell you how this will affect your plans.