Municipal · County · State
Permits & licenses
Most permit questions in Bucks County are really jurisdiction questions. Building and zoning are municipal, septic and wells belong to the county Health Department, earth disturbance to the Conservation District, and state-road driveways to PennDOT. Route yourself first — then apply once, in the right place.
Permit Desk Official
Septic & wells (BCDH)215-345-3318
Conservation District215-345-7577
Treasurer (licenses)215-348-6244
Before you dig811
Digging anything? PA law requires a locate request first — dial 811 or use pa1call.org.
Start here
Who permits my project?
Nine common projects, routed to the office that actually issues the permit.
| Your project | Permitting authority | Level | What to know | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deck, addition, shed, renovation, new build | Your borough / township code office | Municipal | Building permits fall under PA's Uniform Construction Code, but they are issued and inspected locally — the county issues no building permits. | Find your municipality ↗ |
| Zoning: use change, variance, setbacks | Municipal zoning officer / hearing board | Municipal | Zoning ordinances are written and enforced by each of the 54 municipalities. Variances and special exceptions go to the municipal zoning hearing board. | Find your municipality ↗ |
| New or repaired septic system | Bucks County Health Department | County | The county Sewage Program permits on-lot systems — new and repaired septic, holding tanks, spray irrigation, and alternate systems under PA Code Ch. 73 (application SA-51). | Sewage Program ↗ 215-345-3318 |
| New or modified drinking-water well | Bucks County Health Department | County | Well construction needs Health Department approval before the water can be used (applications SA-130 / SA-131), including required isolation distances. | Environmental Health ↗ 215-345-3318 |
| Earth disturbance / erosion control (E&S, NPDES) | Bucks County Conservation District | County | Chapter 102 erosion & sediment control plans and NPDES construction stormwater permits run through the Conservation District — larger earth disturbance triggers them. | bucksccd.org ↗ 215-345-7577 |
| Driveway or access onto a state road | PennDOT | State | Installing or altering a driveway that connects to a state highway needs a Highway Occupancy Permit (PA Code Title 67 Ch. 441) — apply through PennDOT's e-permitting system. | PennDOT HOP ↗ |
| Driveway or opening onto a local road | Your borough / township | Municipal | Local road access and road-occupancy permits come from the municipality that owns the road. | Find your municipality ↗ |
| Subdivision or land development | Municipality + county Planning Commission review | Municipal | Plans are approved by the municipality; the county Planning Commission provides the required county-level review of subdivision and land development plans. | Planning Commission ↗ |
| Any digging at all | PA One Call — dial 811 | State | Pennsylvania law requires a PA One Call locate request before excavation so buried utilities are marked — for contractors and homeowners alike. | pa1call.org ↗ |
Verified against official county and state pages July 26, 2026. Ordinances and thresholds vary by municipality — confirm with the office before starting work.
Where most permits live
Municipal building & zoning
Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code is a statewide building code — but it's administered town by town, and zoning is written town by town.
Building permits
Your code office
Construction, additions, decks, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work are permitted and inspected by your borough/township code official under the UCC
Zoning & variances
Zoning officer & hearing board
Permitted uses, setbacks, and accessory structures come from your municipal zoning ordinance
Relief from the ordinance goes to the municipal zoning hearing board
Find your office
54 municipalities
Every borough and township office, with phone and official site
County level
Health, conservation & planning
The county's permitting role is environmental: what goes into the ground, and what disturbs it.
Septic systems
BCDH Sewage Program
Permits new & repaired on-lot systems, holding tanks, and spray irrigation under PA Code Ch. 73 (application SA-51); also investigates malfunctions and licenses sewage haulers
Drinking-water wells
BCDH Environmental Health
New or modified wells need Health Department approval before the water is used (SA-130 / SA-131), with required isolation distances
Past septic & well reports available as environmental records
Earth disturbance
Conservation District
Chapter 102 erosion & sediment control plans and NPDES construction stormwater permits
Land use
Planning Commission
County-level review of subdivision and land development plans; municipalities grant the approvals
State level
PennDOT & PA One Call
Two state gates people hit mid-project: the road your driveway meets, and the ground you're about to open.
State-road access
Highway Occupancy Permit
Required to install or alter any driveway or access connecting to a state highway (PA Code Title 67 Ch. 441) — municipal approval doesn't substitute
Before you dig
PA One Call — 811
Pennsylvania law requires a locate request before excavation — homeowners included, fence posts included
📞 Dial 811
County-issued
Licenses at the courthouse
A handful of everyday licenses are issued by county row offices — most by the Treasurer at 55 E Court Street.
County Treasurer
Dog license
PA law requires every dog to be licensed. Annual and lifetime licenses via mail or in person at the Treasurer's office; discounted for owners 65+.
County Treasurer
Hunting & fishing licenses
Issued at the Treasurer's office as an agent for the state commissions.
County Treasurer
Bingo & small games of chance
Licensing for eligible nonprofit organizations, including special raffle permits.
Register of Wills
Marriage license
Covered in full on the records guide — $85 total, 3-day wait, valid 60 days.
Common questions
Bucks County permits answers
Do I need a permit for a deck, shed, or renovation in Bucks County? Almost certainly — but from your borough or township, not the county. Building permits fall under Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code and are issued and inspected by your municipal code office. The county issues no building permits. Start with your municipality's building/zoning office before any work.
Who approves septic systems and wells in Bucks County? The Bucks County Health Department. Its Sewage Program permits new and repaired on-lot septic systems, holding tanks, and spray irrigation under PA Code Chapter 73 (application SA-51), and new or modified drinking-water wells need Health Department approval before use (SA-130/SA-131). Call 215-345-3318.
Do I need a permit to change my driveway? It depends on the road it meets. A driveway connecting to a state highway needs a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit under PA Code Title 67 Chapter 441 — apply through PennDOT's e-permitting system. A driveway onto a borough or township road is permitted by the municipality.
Who do I call before digging? PA One Call — dial 811 or file at pa1call.org. Pennsylvania law requires a locate request before excavation so buried utilities are marked. It applies to homeowners as well as contractors, even for small projects like fence posts or tree planting.
Where do I get a dog license in Bucks County? The Bucks County Treasurer (215-348-6244), by mail or in person at 55 E Court Street, Doylestown. Pennsylvania law requires every dog to be licensed; annual and lifetime licenses are available, with discounts for owners 65 and older.
This page is a routing layer, not legal or engineering advice. Permit thresholds and fees are set by each authority — confirm with the office named above before starting work.
Keep going
Related guides
Permits connect to zoning maps, deeds, and every town page.