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Permitting Guidance & FAQs
Before Applying for a Permit
The first steps to take prior to submitting an application:
- Visit the Township’s Website or Municipal Building to review the Township Code.
- Visit the Township’s Website or Municipal Building to review permit fees and obtain a copy of all necessary Permit Applications.
- Call the Township with questions, if necessary.
- Completely fill out the Permit Application(s) and review the Application Completeness checklist to ensure you have all supporting documentation.
It is recommended that projects requiring multiple permits are submitting in the following order:
- Zoning Permit
- Drainage Permit
- Building Permit
While all permits may be submitted simultaneously, obtaining Zoning approval prior to submitting additional permit applications can help to avoid delays and ensure project plans already meet Zoning requirements reducing plan revisions for other permit applications. Additionally, if a project requires Zoning approval, this must be obtained prior to release of any approved Drainage and/or Building permits. Likewise, if a project requires a Drainage permit, this approval must be obtained prior to release of a Building permit.
Add the
following email addresses to your email contact list to ensure you will receive
notices regarding permits:
- noreply@traisr.com - Permit approvals with payment requests will come from this email address directly from our permitting system.
- easttown@easttown.org - Permit review emails and other permit notices will come from our township gateway email address. Also, all permit inquiries and documents should be sent to this email address to ensure messages are received.
Permit Process Overview
Each permit application must be presented to the township as a complete package for review. Permits can be submitted in-person, via online permit portal, or by email to easttown@easttown.org. Permit fees and other related costs can be found in the most recent copy of the Easttown Township Fee Schedule.
Once an application is submitted, it undergoes an administrative review to ensure the basic application components have been received. Any incomplete application submissions must be completed or have an extension requested in writing within thirty (30) days of the initial review. Should the township review an application submission and additional information is needed to complete the application, the Permit Clerk will typically contact the applicant by email within five (5) business days of submission.
After a permit application submission passes administrative review, the appropriate township official will review begin their review. Should the township official need additional information to ensure that the planned project meets Easttown Township code requirements, they will touch base with the applicant or contractor by email or phone to request the outstanding information.
Zoning Permits
- The review is completed by the Zoning Officer. Unless agreed upon in writing, approval or denial of the permit will be issued within thirty (30) days. Email notice from the official and an electronic copy of the permit will be provided upon final permit determination.
- Important note: All conditions of an approved zoning permit must be met prior to start of work on the project.
Drainage Permits
- The review is completed by the appointed engineer. Unless agreed upon in writing, approval or denial of the permit will be issued within thirty (30) days. Email notice from the official and an electronic copy of the permit will be provided upon final permit determination.
Important notes:
- Regarding the deposit held in escrow, this amount will be held until the completion of the project and returned to the payer after the permit is closed out. Consultant fees incurred during the course of the project will not be deducted from this deposit.
- A BMP agreement and corresponding exhibit A will be provided during the review and approval process. Further details will be provided by the township engineer. This agreement must be signed and notarized by all property owners and delivered to the township. Once countersigned by the appropriate township officer, it must be recorded at the Chester County Recorder of Deeds Office.
- A preconstruction meeting must be held with the township engineer prior to the start of work. Please contact the township engineer to schedule the meeting after permit approval.
Building Permits (includes Mechanical, Re-roof, and Sanitary Sewer)
- The review is completed by the appointed building code inspector. Unless agreed upon in writing, review, approval, or denial of the permit will be issued within fifteen (15) or thirty (30) days, depending on the drawings submitted alongside the application.
- Email notice from noreply@traisr.com or easttown@easttown.org will be provided upon final permit determination.
- If a permit fee is due, the applicant will receive an automated payment request email from noreply@traisr.com within 24 hours of the approval notice with the total due and link to pay online. This link will expire after 48 hours. Call 610-687-3000 if you need a new payment link.
- Permit fee payments can also be made by check to Easttown Township and delivered to 566 Beaumont Road Devon, PA 19333.
- Upon payment of the permit fee, a released permit will be sent by US Mail to the applicant address provided on the application and a copy will be sent to the property owner. Should you like to pick up the permit upon release, please call the Permit Clerk to notify the township not to send by US Mail.
- Important note: All building permit fees must be paid and a copy of the released permit and any associated plans must be onsite prior to the start of work on the project.
Road Occupancy Permits
- The review is completed by the Public Works Director or designated assistant. Typically a review, approval, or denial of the permit will be issued within thirty (30) days.
- Email notice will be provided upon final permit determination. If approved, the notice will includeinstructions to pay for and obtain the permit..
- If a permit fee is due, the applicant will receive an automated payment request email from noreply@traisr.com within 24 hours of the approval notice with the total due and link to pay online. Permit fee payments can also be made by check to Easttown Township and delivered to 566 Beaumont Road Devon, PA 19333.
- Upon payment of the permit fee, the released permit will be sent by US Mail to the applicant address provided on the application and a copy will be sent to the property owner. Should you like to pick up the permit upon release, please call the Permit Clerk to notify the township not to send by US Mail.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- I am planning a project, but need a site map or plot plans for my permit. How can I obtain this information?
-
While Easttown Township does not have a catalogue of site maps or plot plans for every property within its jurisdiction, you may submit an Open Records request to access any site maps, plot plans, or lot drawings on file from previous permits or historical property records. Additionally, aerial views of each property along with district information, set back requirements, and land use information can be found using Easttown Township's interactive zoning map, MapLink. If you are seeking high levels of detail for your property, you may wish to hire a company to create a site map or perform a land survey.
- I did not receive an automated payment request email from noreply@traisr.com after receiving notice of permit approval. What do I do?
-
If you did not receive an automated payment request email within 24 hours of your permit approval notice, please call or email the Permit Clerk at 610-687-3000 or easttown@easttown.org. Please note that the automated payment request process for final permit fees due does not apply to zoning permits or drainage permits.
- How much does a Building permit cost in Easttown Township?
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All Building permits (including Re-roofing and Mechanical permits) have an application fee and a permit fee. Note: A permit is not valid until the required fees are collected.
As of December 2022, according to the Easttown Township fee schedule* the application fee is $75 for residential properties and $105 for non-residential or multi-family properties.
The permit fee for all building permits is calculated as 2% of the project cost.
Kindly note that additional fees apply for Certificates of Occupancy (CO). If a building project requires a CO, a fee will be added to the permit cost upon approval ($75 for residential projects and $105 for non-residential). Should a residential temporary or conditional CO be requested, another fee will be charged for the additional CO.
*The Easttown Township Fee Schedule is reviewed and approved annually by the Board of Supervisors. Please be sure to review the most current fee schedule prior to applying for your permit.
- Do I need to post a copy of my permit on-site?
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There is not a specific requirement to post the permit on-site, however, the permit holder must keep a copy of the permit and any released plans on the work site until the completion of the construction.
- Does my Building permit expire? If so, when?
-
A permit expires (becomes invalid) unless the authorized construction work begins within 180 days after the permit’s issuance or if the authorized construction work permit is suspended or abandoned for 180 days after the work has commenced. A permit holder may submit a written request for an extension of time to commence construction for just cause. The building code official may grant extensions of time to commence construction in writing. A permit may be valid for no more than 5 years from its issue date.