The following is a representative listing of activities or events requiring Building Permits, Zoning Permits or other special approvals in Centerville Borough:

Building Permits (as required by PA code)
✓ All New Construction
✓ All Additions
✓ Most Renovations/Improvements
✓ Detached Garages & Sheds over 1,000 sq. ft.
✓ Retaining Walls higher than 4 ft.
✓ Roof Replacement Exceeding 25% of Roof Area
✓ All In-Ground Pools
✓ Any Above Ground Pool Deeper than 2 ft.
✓ Spas or Hot Tubs
✓ New or Replacement Furnace or Whole House AC
✓ Decks that are 36” or more above the ground
✓ Electrical service replacement
✓ Fences 6 ft. or higher

Zoning Permits (as required by local code)
✓ Fences under 6 ft.
✓ Detached Garages & Sheds under 1,000 sq. ft.
✓ Sign Permits

Special Approvals (as required by local code)
✓ In-Home Business Approvals
✓ Site Plan Review (New Commercial or Industrial Use)
✓ Special Exception Approvals
✓ Conditional Use Approvals

This list is only a sample; if you are uncertain or have questions, please contact the Zoning Officer.

Zoning and Permit issuance in Centerville Borough is governed by the Borough's Zoning Ordinance and Pennsylvania law. Since 2004, state law has required that construction of new buildings and modifications to existing ones to meet the standards of the Uniform Construction Code.

All new buildings, additions, and most renovations now require inspections to be completed to ensure compliance with code.

Construction work that fails to comply or that is constructed illegally (without proper permits or inspections) is subject to fines and ultimately to tear-down orders. As the property owner, you are responsible for knowing when a Permit (or other approval) is required and for obtaining it.

If you are planning any of the types of projects listed to the right, be sure you plan to apply for your permit at least 3-4 weeks ahead of time.

Additional considerations for commercial & industrial uses:

Commercial and Industrial Permit requests require plan review by the Borough's third party review firm. (Allow 3 weeks.)

Additionally, any new use of a parcel within the borough (new commercial or industrial uses) require Site Plan Approval under the Zoning Ordinance.

Zoning Ordinance
(PDF -- 5.5 MB file; requires Acrobat 7.0 or higher)

(Zoning Officer contact information on Contacts page.)