IMPORTANT COVID-19 OPERATIONS UPDATE
Cheltenham Township Administrative Offices are closed to the public; however, staff is working to fulfill permitting, inspections and other services in accordance with the Governor's Orders with respect to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please see review the links below for additional information about construction and inspections during this while we operate under pandemic-related restrictions:
Residential and Nonresidential Building Construction and Inspections
Construction Guidance
At this time, building, zoning, subdivision & land development, and other permit applications will only be accepted by mail and accompanied by a check. Send applications and checks made payable to "Cheltenham Township" to:
Planning & Zoning Department
Cheltenham Township
8230 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027
Members of the Department can be reached by phone, (215) 887-6200, or by email:
Henry Sekawungu, Director of Planning & Zoning, ext. 219
Robert Habgood, Assistant Director of Planning & Zoning, ext. 216
Tom Cinaglia, Building Inspector, ext. 222
Sue Drucker, Permits Clerk, ext. 212
Construction Activities Requiring Building Permits
General
- Any Construction Type Work
- Alterations
- Blasting
- Repairs
- Equipment
- Removal
- Demolitions
- Plumbing
Permits Required (Additional $4.50 UCC charge on every permit) - Examples
- Additions
- Awnings
- Bathroom Renovations
- Billboards
- Decks
- Electrical Work
- Fencing
- Fire Systems (Residential & Commercial)
- HVAC Installation
- Interior House Renovations
- Kitchen Renovations - cabinets, walls
- New Construction - Residential, Commercial, Office or Industrial
- Roofing
- Sheds (garden, storage, etc.)
- Siding
- Signs
- Swimming Pools (in and above ground)
- Tanks Above or Below Ground - Installation or Removal
- Walls - 2' high or more
- Walls - Freestanding
Permits Not Required - Examples
- Drain Gutters - installation and/or replacements
- Flooring
- Painting
- Patios at Ground Level
- Retaining walls less than 3' high
- Rotted lumber replacement in kind
- Roofing Repairs/Replacement less than 100 S.F.
- Sidewalks on Private Property
- Storm Windows
- Wall Papering
- Window replacements with no increase in rough size opening
Notes:
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Building Permits required whether structure built on-site or prefabricated.
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Plans and calculations must be submitted on retaining walls with a reveal of 2' or greater. The plans/calculations must be sealed by a Professional Engineer.
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Electrical work must be done by an Electrician registered by the Township; electrical work must be inspected by recognized third-party inspection agency.
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Estimated cost rounded up to nearest thousand dollars.
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Estimated cost based on Fair Market Value of work, which must include cost of labor and materials. Fair Market Value of work may be estimated from a bona fide proposal or bid, sealed Architect's/Engineer's estimate, or an estimate developed using the current Means Square Foot Costs Manual.
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Square footage rounded up to nearest thousand square feet.
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Square feet computed at 10 for every story.
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Gallonage rounded up to nearest thousand gallons.
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Administered by Department of Public Works.
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Square Yards rounded up to next square yard.
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Linear footage rounded to nearest ten linear feet.
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If the construction of a retaining wall disturbs an area within the Steep Slope Conservation District (Gradient 15% or greater), Zoning Relief may be required before a Building Permit can be issued.
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Administered by Fire Marshal.
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Pursuant to Chapter 147, Fire Insurance Claims, the Code of the Township of Cheltenham, the following fee is hereby established for the issuance by the Director of Fiscal Affairs of a certificate indicating whether there are any delinquent taxes, assessments, penalties or user charges against real property damaged by fire. This fee is authorized by Pennsylvania State Act 98 of 1992.