[Amended 12-7-2007 by Ord. No. 14558]
The purpose of this article is to establish a fee schedule for permits, licenses and inspections.
[Adopted 8-1-2002 by Ord. No. 14012 (Article 395 of the 1962 Codified Ordinances)]
This section shall be applicable to the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Bureau of Planning and Zoning and the Bureau of Building Standards and Safety.
[Amended 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502; 6-5-2024 by Ord. No. 16020; 4-16-2025 by Ord. No. 16124]
A. BUILDING AREA BUILDING VALUATION COMMERCIAL COST OF WORK FLOOR AREA GROSS BUILDING AREA INSPECTION FEES LICENSE FEES MODULAR (RELOCATABLE) BUILDING(S) PERMIT FEES RESIDENTIAL TANKS TEMPORARY STRUCTURE
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
The area of a structure measured from outside to outside of a structure at grade level.
The average construction cost of work for any permitted project is based upon its square footage, occupancy group, and type of construction as provided by the most current update of the International Code Council's Building Data Valuation.
Any structure that does not meet the definition of residential, such as, buildings or structures that are used for commercial purposes and/or any building with three or more dwelling units and their accessory structures.
The total cost of work associated with commercial and residential permits shall include the costs of all labor and materials from all trades. This shall include foundation, structural and nonstructural building components, electric, plumbing, mechanical, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and interior finish materials and labor.
The area of a structure measured from outside to outside of the structure wall for each level of a structure which may be legally occupied. This term shall include unfinished basements, closet, hallways, bathrooms, and habitable attics.
The total of all floor areas of a structure.
Rates charged for official examination of private projects by City personnel.
Rates charged for officially authorizing certain businesses and tradesmen.
Existing relocatable building or construction trailer which is a partially or completely assembled building, constructed and designed prior to the date of adoption of the appropriate code or one for which a legal building permit has been issued, to be reused multiple times and transported to different building sites.
Rates charged for officially authorizing certain activities.
One- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories above grade plane in height with a separate means of egress and their accessory structures, with a maximum of two dwelling units per structure, excluding townhouses per International Residential Code.
All tanks installed, abandoned or removed for the use of volatile flammables, liquefied petroleum gas, fuel oil and other gases or liquids shall require a permit.
A structure erected for less than 180 days.
B.
All other terms in this article remain constant with the definitions in the various City ordinances pertaining to such fees.
[Amended 12-20-2007 by Ord. No. 14558; 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502]
The Director of the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Director of Finance of the City of Allentown shall recommend to City Council reasonable fees from time-to-time as required for the operations of the Community and Economic Development Department. Fees for permits and the requiring of licenses shall be sufficient to reimburse the City for costs involved in issuing permits, licenses and the inspections and administration thereof. All fees, license payments and other monies received shall be paid over to Finance as directed or required by the Director of the Department of Finance. The authority to waive fees shall be vested in the Director of Community and Economic Development, or the Director's designee(s). This authority shall not extend to state fees required to be collected by the City of Allentown. The Director shall provide policies and procedures to waive facility fees, departmental service charges, fee schedules and other related Community and Economic Development fees established by the City of Allentown for use of City-owned and operated properties or projects.
[Amended 3-6-2003 by Ord. No. 14067; 3-3-2005 by Ord. No. 14273; 3-16-2006 by Ord. No. 14372; 12-1-2010 by Ord. No. 14845; 12-3-2014 by Ord. No. 15173; 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304; 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15503]
A.
Permit application. The Bureau of Planning and Zoning shall charge a permit application fee of $100 for the review of a zoning permit application.
B.
Appeals. Any appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board, whether for a variance, special exception, nonconforming use or structure, ordinance interpretation or otherwise, shall be subject to a fee of $500; except, however, that the fee shall be $150 for an appeal related to premises used solely as a single family dwelling unit and occupied or to be occupied solely by the legal or equitable owner thereof and members of the owner's household.
C.
Continuances. An applicant and/or interested party who requests a continuance of an appeal before the Zoning Hearing Board, after said appeal was duly advertised, shall be subject to a fee of $400; except, however, that the fee shall be $150 for a continuance related to premises used solely as a single-family dwelling unit and occupied or to be occupied solely by the legal or equitable owner thereof and members of the owner's household.
D.
Preliminary opinion. An applicant and/or interested party who requests a preliminary opinion of the Zoning Officer shall be subject to a fee in the amount of $500.
E.
Temporary signs (10 or more). For 10 or more signs to be posted, a permit must be obtained in the Zoning Office stating the name, address, telephone number and purpose of the sign and must be accompanied by a fee of $55.
F.
Zoning certifications. Requests for written certificates as to the zoning compliance of a property shall be accompanied by a fee of $55.
G.
Zoning map and zoning amendments. Petitions for zoning map and zoning amendments can be found on the City website or by contacting the City Clerk's Office. A written Petition for a Zoning Map Amendment (Rezoning) may be submitted to City Council by a citizen. It must be notarized and signed by the owners of 50% or more of the land proposed to be rezoned, and it must be submitted together with a check in the amount of $1,000 payable to the City of Allentown, to the City Clerk's Office, 435 Hamilton Street. A written petition for a Zoning Ordinance text amendment may be submitted to City Council by a citizen and it must be submitted together with a check in the amount of $1,000 payable to the City of Allentown, to the City Clerk's Office, 435 Hamilton Street. In addition, the petitioner must pay in full all costs incurred by the City in publishing the legally required advertising for the Map or Zoning Ordinance text amendment prior to final Council action.
[Amended 3-6-2003 by Ord. No. 14067; 12-1-2010 by Ord. No. 14845; 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15503]
A.
Major subdivisions.
(1)
Sketch plan. The application fee for review of a sketch plan for major subdivisions shall be $100.
(2)
Preliminary plan. The application fee for review of a preliminary plan shall be $500 plus $50 for each lot.
(3)
Final plan. The application fee for review of a final plan for major subdivisions shall be 1/2 of preliminary plan.
B.
Minor subdivisions. The application fee for review of final plans for a minor subdivision shall be $140 plus $40 per lot.
C.
Major land developments.
(1)
Sketch plan. The application fee for review of a sketch plan for major land developments shall be $250.
(2)
Preliminary plan. The application fee for review of a preliminary plan shall be $1,000 plus $1,000 per acre or partial acre plus:
(3)
Final plan. The application fee for review of a final plan for major land development plans shall be one-half of preliminary plan.
D.
Minor land development. The application fee for review of final plans for minor land development shall be $315.
[Amended 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304; 12-20-2017 by Ord. No. 15423; 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502]
The State Mandated Uniform Construction Code Permit Fee authorized under the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act shall be $4.50 and shall be assessed on all Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code required permits.
[Amended 12-20-2007 by Ord. No. 14558; 12-18-2008 by Ord. No. 14678; 4-1-2009 by Ord. No. 14714; 12-1-2010 by Ord. No. 14844; 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304; 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502; 6-5-2024 by Ord. No. 16020; 4-16-2025 by Ord. No. 16124]
Building fees shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure, and any electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire suppression and alarm systems, signs, or tanks connected or attached to, or detached from, such buildings, structures, or parcels. The Building Code Official shall have the right to verify or correct the estimated value of any proposed permit valuations.
A.
Building permit fees. The fees that will be applied to all residential and commercial permit applications.
(2)
State-mandated Uniform Construction Code (UCC) permit fee. A fee of $4.50, or as determined by, the State of Pennsylvania, will be included on all permit applications.
(3)
Commercial. For the plan review and inspection of all commercial construction projects including new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, pools, fences, retaining walls, signs, solar panels, tanks, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire systems and accessory structures. The fee shall be the greater of $75 or 1.5% of the total cost of work including materials and labor of all trades.
(4)
Residential. For the plan review and inspection of all residential construction projects including new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolition, pools, fences, retaining walls, signs, solar panels, tanks, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire systems and accessory structures. The fee shall be the greater of $50 or 1% of the total cost of work including materials and labor of all trades.
(5)
Expedited plan review fee (10 working days): an additional $0.05 per square foot.
*The Bureau of Building Standards and Safety reserves the right to verify or correct the estimated value of any proposed project costs based on the International Code Council's Building Data Valuation or other means.
**The Building Code Official reserves the right to reject any plans that do not show in detail that the work will conform to the Uniform Construction Code.
***Applications approved for issuance are not valid permits until the required permit fee has been remitted. A permit becomes invalid unless the authorized construction work begins within 180 days after the permit's issuance. A permit shall also become invalid 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 five years from its issue date.
B.
Certificate of occupancy (CO).
(1)
Commercial. A building, structure or facility may not be used or occupied without a certificate of occupancy issued by a building code official. The fees for commercial certificate of occupancy are calculated within the cost of the building permit.
(2)
Residential. A residential building may not be used or occupied without a certificate of occupancy issued by a building code official. The fees for residential certificate of occupancy are calculated within the cost of the building permit.
(3)
Change of use/occupancy (ONLY). Changes in use or occupancy including a change of ownership or address wherein no alterations are required to meet code compliance will be charged the minimum standard building permit fees.
C.
Modular buildings and construction trailers. A building permit shall be secured for the placement of a prefabricated structure at the new location in accordance with the permit fee schedule established in this article.
D.
Appeals.
(1)
Housing Appeals Board Fees shall be $100 per application for one- and two-family residential, and $200 for all others.
(2)
Building Appeals Board fees shall be $250 for one- and two-family residential, and $500 for all others.
(3)
Disruptive Conduct Board of Appeals shall be $100 per application.
(4)
Nuisance Abatement Board of Appeals shall be $250 per application.
[Amended 12-20-2007 by Ord. No. 14558; 12-1-2010 by Ord. No. 14844; 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304; 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502; 4-16-2025 by Ord. No. 16124]
A.
Licensing application fee: $50.
B.
The yearly electrician's license fees, renewable January 1 through January 31 each year, shall be:
Master electrician license | $90 |
Residential electrician license | $80 |
Journeyman electrician license | $60 |
Special electrician license | $50 |
Electrical appliance installer license | $50 |
Telecommunications installer (no test required) | $50 |
C.
When an applicant fails to renew the license before January 31, a surcharge shall be attached to the license fee as follows:
Master electrician surcharge | $45 |
Residential electrician surcharge | $40 |
Journeyman surcharge | $30 |
Special electrician surcharge | $25 |
Electrical appliance/installer surcharge | $25 |
D.
There will be a fee of $10 for printing of licenses.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 270-33, Electrical permits fees, as amended 10-6-2006 by Ord. No. 14424, 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304, and 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502, was repealed 4-16-2025 by Ord. No. 16124.
[Amended 12-20-2007 by Ord. No. 14558; 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304; 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502; 4-16-2025 by Ord. No. 16124]
A.
The yearly plumber's license fee, due and payable January 1 and renewable through January 31, shall be:
Master plumber | $90 |
Journeyman plumber | $60 |
B.
When a plumber fails to renew the license before January 31, a surcharge shall be attached to the licensing fee as follows:
Master plumber | $45 |
Journeyman plumber | $30 |
C.
Plumber's license test fees:
Master license | $85 |
Journeyman license | $60 |
D.
There will be a fee of $10 for printing of licenses.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 270-35, Plumbing and sewer fees, as amended 10-6-2006 by Ord. No. 14424, 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304, and 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502, was repealed 4-16-2025 by Ord. No. 16124.
[Amended 12-18-2008 by Ord. No. 14678; 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304; 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502; 4-16-2025 by Ord. No. 16124]
A.
Work without required permits. In addition to the permit fees set by this schedule, failure to secure a permit prior to the commencement of work for which a permit is required shall result in the permit fee being doubled.
B.
Excessive inspections on the same issue. In addition to the permit fee set by this schedule, the following fees will apply for inspections requested.
[Amended 12-20-2007 by Ord. No. 14558]
The City will add an administrative fee of $300 or 15% of the cost of abatement to each bill incurred, whichever is greater, as a result of noncompliance with a public nuisance order. (Amends § 455-14E, regarding corrective actions.)
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 270-39, Housing rehabilitation financial application fee, as amended 12-20-2007 by Ord. No. 14558; and § 270-40, Signs, as amended 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502; § 270-41, Mechanical fees, as amended 10-6-2006 by Ord. No. 14424, 12-20-2007 by Ord. No. 14558, 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304, and 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502; § 270-42, Fire-suppression systems, as amended 10-6-2006 by Ord. No. 14424, 12-20-2007 by Ord. No. 14558, 8-3-2016 by Ord. No. 15304, and 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502; and § 270-43, Tanks, which immediately followed; were repealed 4-16-2025 by Ord. No. 16124.
Fees for approved encroachments shall be:
A.
Temporary encroachments. Every approved temporary encroachment other than dumpsters, soda and/or other vending machines shall have a fee of $20 per year, plus a monthly fee of $0.25 per square foot.
B.
Dumpsters. The fee for approved dumpsters placed within the public right-of-way, 20 cubic yards or less shall be $35 per month. For dumpsters more than 20 cubic yards, the fee shall be $55 per month.
C.
Permanent encroachments. The fee for approved permanent encroachments shall be $40. This fee is in addition to any construction or other permit fees the permanent encroachment is charged.
D.
Sidewalk cafes. The fee for approved sidewalk cafes shall be $40 per year.
[Amended 6-4-2004 by Ord. No. 14188; 12-1-2010 by Ord. No. 14842; 5-6-2015 by Ord. No. 15205; 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15502]
A.
Child-care facility operational certificate fees.
(1)
An annual operational fee shall be charged to defray the costs of inspections, consultations and servicing child-care facilities.
(2)
The annual operational fee for child-care facilities shall be based upon the number of children in care and the type of facility as follows:
Type of Facility | Number of Children | Operational Fee |
|---|---|---|
Child-care centers* | 7 to 49 | $100 |
Child-care centers* | 50 to 99 | $125 |
Child-care centers* | 100 or more | $150 |
Family child-care home | 4 to 6 | $50 |
Group child-care home | 7 to 11 | $75 |
Other child-care programs | N/A | $50 |
* | Includes night care, drop-in care and extended child-care programs. |
(3)
Conditional fees. The Bureau of Health may withhold issuing a Child-Care Facility Operational Certificate if the facility is not in compliance with all City ordinances. Examples include, but are not limited to, Fire Code and Building Code violations and tax or fee delinquencies. In this instance, the Bureau may issue a Conditional Certificate valid for up to 60 days so that the facility's operation may continue until compliance is achieved. A fee of $50 shall be charged to defray the Conditional Certificate's associated administrative costs.
(4)
Reinspection fees. Child-care facilities shall be charged a reinspection fee for each reinspection that is required to verify that the facility has been brought into substantial compliance with the Chapter 213, Child Care Facilities, as follows:
(5)
Late fees. A late fee of $30 per month shall be charged for overdue operational certificate renewals of all child-care facility types, as determined by the Bureau of Health.
B.
Food facility licensing, operational, inspection and plan review fees.
(1)
The terms "retail food facility," "public eating and drinking place," and "retail food establishment" as used herein are defined in the Retail Food Facility Safety Act of November 23, 2010, P.L. 1039, No. 106, 3 Pa.C.S.A. § 5701 et seq. ("Act 106 of 2010") which governs licensing, inspection and regulation of public eating and drinking places and retail food establishments.
(2)
Fees for licensing, operational inspection and plan review of retail food facilities shall be charged annually to defray the costs of inspections, plan reviews and services as follows:
(a)
New or change of ownership, retail food facilities (public eating and drinking places, retail food establishments). All area measurements to include outdoor service and food storage areas.
Facility Type | License Fee | Operational Fee |
|---|---|---|
Retail food facility 5,000 square feet or less | $1 | $274 + plan review fee |
Retail food facility more than 5,000 square feet and less than 20,000 square feet with NO on-site food preparation | $1 | $349 + plan review fee |
Retail food facility more than 5,000 square feet and less than 20,000 square feet with on-site food preparation | $1 | $449 + plan review fee |
Retail food facility greater than 20,000 square feet with NO on-site food preparation | $1 | $499 + plan review fee |
Retail food facility greater than 20,000 square feet with on-site food preparation | $1 | $649 + plan review fee |
(b)
Renewals, retail food facilities (public eating and drinking places, retail food establishments).
Facility Type | License Fee | Operational Fee |
|---|---|---|
Public eating and drinking places, 75 seats or less | $1 | $274 |
Public eating and drinking places, more than 75 seats | $1 | $399 |
Retail food establishments, 5,000 square feet or less | $1 | $224 |
Retail food establishments, more than 5,000 square feet and less than 20,000 square feet with on-site food preparation | $1 | $299 |
Retail food establishments, more than 5,000 square feet and less than 20,000 square feet with on-site food preparation | $1 | $399 |
Retail food establishment, more than 20,000 square feet with NO on-site food preparation | $1 | $449 |
Retail food establishment, more than 20,000 square feet with on-site food preparation | $1 | $599 |
(c)
Other fees.
[Amended 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 15586]
Facility Type | License Fee | Operational Fee |
|---|---|---|
New or renewal, nonprofit permanent food facility | $1 | $74 |
Mobile food unit, new | $1 | $274 |
Mobile food unit, renewal | $1 | $249 |
Vending machine, each | $1 | $49 |
Temporary food facility, for profit One- and two-day events | $1 | $39 |
Temporary food facility, nonprofit One- and two-day events | $1 | $19 |
Temporary food facility, for profit Events held on more than 2 days; 14 consecutive days maximum | $1 | $74 |
Temporary food facility, nonprofit Events held on more than 2 days; 14 consecutive days maximum | $1 | $44 |
Seasonal temporary food facility Temporary food facility operated at a once per week seasonal event over 3-month license period in a single location | $1 | $74 |
Temporary food distribution, nonprofit Food distribution by nonprofit in a single location, once per week over six-month license period, no food preparation on-site | $1 | $44 |
Pop-up food facility Temporary food facility in an indoor commercial store front, single location, three-month license period, maximum 2 licenses annually | $1 | $74 |
Extension of one-month period for pop-up shop and individual food vending license | $15 |
(3)
Conditional licenses. The Bureau of Health may, at its discretion, issue a conditional license valid for up to 60 days where the operation of the facility constitutes a possible hazard to public health, or where an applicant requires additional time to comply with Chapter 303, Food Service and Sanitation, of the Code of the City of Allentown, [and/or] any other applicable City ordinances or applicable state statutes and regulations. A fee of $50 shall be charged to defray the associated administrative costs.
(4)
Late fees.
(a)
A late fee of $35 per month shall be charged for overdue license renewals of [permanent] retail food facilities, as determined by the Bureau of Health.
(b)
A late fee of $15 shall be charged for temporary food facility licenses that are applied for less than five days prior to the start of the event, as determined by the Bureau of Health.
(5)
Facilities exempt from licensing and inspection fees.
(a)
Food facilities licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Welfare or any other state, county or municipal agency shall not be charged a food facility license or operational fee, provided they are owned and operated by the licensee.
(b)
Permanent, temporary or mobile food facilities or vending machines that sell only fresh whole fruits and vegetables and/or only non-potentially hazardous prepackaged food, as determined by the Bureau of Health, shall be exempt from the licenses and operational fees.
(6)
Reinspection fees. Food facilities shall be charged a reinspection fee for each re-inspection that is required to verify the facility is in substantial compliance with Chapter 303, Food Service and Sanitation, as follows:
(a)
For the year 2013 and each subsequent year thereafter: $100 for each reinspection.
(7)
Plan review fees. Food facilities shall be charged a plan review fee whenever a plan review is required in accordance with Chapter 303, Food Service and Sanitation, as follows:
(a)
For plan review services as a result of a change of ownership where no alterations other than cosmetic changes to an existing retail food facility take place, any size: $125.
(b)
For plan review services as a result of new construction, conversion, remodeling or alterations involving work other than cosmetic changes (all area measurements to include outdoor service and storage areas):
[1]
Facilities less than 5,000 square feet: $200.
[2]
Facilities greater than 5,000 square feet up to 20,000 square feet: $300.
[Amended 1-20-2005 by Ord. No. 14255]
The fee for all approved subordination agreements shall be $50.
[Amended 12-5-2018 by Ord. No. 15503]
The fee for City staff review and approval of renovation plans shall be $25. For plans reviewed by the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), the fee shall be $25. Any HARB violation review shall be $300.