Bolthole Index

Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Scranton, Pennsylvania

Scranton, Pennsylvania requires a building permit for residential construction inside city limits1, and the city sets its own zoning2. Building permits come from the City of Scranton3, zoning from the city's Bureau of City Planning and Zoning4. Septic permits are handled by a local agency under state law5; we could not confirm who that is inside the city.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for residential construction inside Scranton1
Building code
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, adopted by the city6
Zoning
City zoning ordinance with mapped districts27
R-6 lot size
5,000 sq ft minimum, 45% coverage, 35 ft height8910
Driveways
Need a city building permit; state roads may need PennDOT11
Septic
Local agency issues permits; city status not confirmed5
RV and tiny home living
Not confirmed; ask City Planning and Zoning4

Who to call

Building permits

City of Scranton building permits (Code Enforcement)

Building permits, plan review and contractor information inside Scranton city limits

(570) 348-4100

340 N Washington Ave Scranton, PA 18503

Zoning

Scranton Bureau of City Planning and Zoning

Zoning, land-use review and zoning applications inside Scranton

570.348.8064

planning@scrantonpa.gov

340 N Washington Ave Scranton, PA 18503

Floodplain permits

Scranton Floodplain Management

Floodplain review for projects in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas

570-348-4280

340 North Washington Avenue

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 14, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Scranton means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Scranton, PA?

Yes. Scranton, Pennsylvania requires a building permit for residential construction inside city limits1, and the city's permit page says all construction projects in the city require a permit3. The permit also covers fences, retaining walls, sidewalks, driveways, roof and siding replacement, porch repair and any deck1.

The city enforces the state's Uniform Construction Code through its own local amendments6. Submit an application 4 to 90 days before work begins, depending on scope3. Emergency repairs may proceed if an application is filed within one business day1.

Who issues building permits in Scranton, and how do you reach them?

The City of Scranton issues building permits itself; the county does not. Contact the city's permit office at (570) 348-4100, 340 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 185033. The city's permit page also lists fee schedules and the plan-review process3.

A permit lapses if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance or is suspended for 180 days, and it cannot be extended past three years1. Required inspections follow the state code: foundation, plumbing, mechanical and electrical, frame and masonry, wallboard, and a final inspection12. The city's own inspection and certificate-of-occupancy procedures were not confirmed; ask the permit office.

Does Scranton have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Scranton adopts its own zoning ordinance and divides the city into mapped districts2, and the Bureau of City Planning and Zoning administers it4. Lackawanna County has no county zoning ordinance13, so the city's rules are the ones that apply to a lot in Scranton.

Dimensions differ by district. In the R-6 Suburban Single Family Residential district, the minimum lot is 5,000 square feet8, with front setbacks of 20 feet, side yards of 4 feet and rear yards of 25 feet14, coverage up to 45%9 and principal buildings up to 35 feet10. In the CONSV Conservation district, the minimum lot is 87,120 square feet15, with setbacks of 30 feet front, 30 feet side and 10 feet rear16, and coverage of 15%17. Accessory dwelling units are permitted by right in R-618.

How do septic permits work inside Scranton?

Pennsylvania requires a permit before installing, altering or connecting to an on-lot sewage system19, and a local agency issues it: a municipality, a group of municipalities, or a county or joint health department5. We could not confirm whether Scranton's own staff, a sewage enforcement officer or public sewer connection rules apply to a particular city lot. Ask the Scranton permit office3 before you plan a septic system or private well.

For a home-use gas well, a state permit or registration is required20; ordinary private water wells are not covered by state drilling-permit rules for homeowners drilling on their own land21.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Scranton?

We could not confirm a city rule for living in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home on a lot in Scranton. Call the Bureau of City Planning and Zoning at 570.348.8064 or email planning@scrantonpa.gov before you buy4. Pennsylvania's statewide rules about state park campgrounds do not answer this question for a private lot.

Short-term rentals are a permitted accessory use in R-6 and CONSV and need a special exception as a principal use in the REC district22.

Building a home in Scranton: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and its lot, setback and coverage limits with City Planning and Zoning4.
  2. Check whether the lot is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area; if so, a floodplain review is required23 through24.
  3. If the driveway meets a state road, a PennDOT highway occupancy permit is required25; the city also requires a building permit for driveways11.
  4. Apply for the building permit with the City of Scranton3.
  5. Book the required inspections as work proceeds12.
  6. Obtain a certificate of occupancy before moving in26.

What stays with Lackawanna County, and what to check before you buy

Lackawanna County has no county zoning ordinance13, and building permits inside Scranton come from the city3. For land outside Scranton, see the Lackawanna County page. The county's planning department reviews subdivision and land-development plans but is advisory to the municipalities4.

Before you buy, confirm the zoning district on the city's zoning map, flood status, sewer or septic arrangement and utility connection requirements27. County-level figures: the effective property tax rate is 1.5%28 and the median property tax bill is $2910 per year29.

Watch-outs

  • Inside Scranton, building permits and zoning come from the city, not Lackawanna County, so the county's unincorporated-area answers do not apply2.
  • Zoning dimensions are listed here for R-6 and CONSV only; the city has many more districts and overlays that may change the answer for a particular lot7.
  • Septic, well, RV, tiny-home and certificate-of-occupancy procedures inside the city were not confirmed; call the City of Scranton permit office3.

Sources

  1. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 201 Construction Codes, Uniform (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  3. City of Scranton building permits (Code Enforcement) (scrantonpa.gov)
  4. Scranton Bureau of City Planning and Zoning (scrantonpa.gov)
  5. Municipal On Lot Sewage Service Areas, quoted and re-checked
  6. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 201 Construction Codes, Uniform (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  7. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  10. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  11. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 201 Construction Codes, Uniform (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  12. Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code regulations, Chapter 403, quoted and re-checked
  13. Lackawanna County Land-Use Planning Annual Report 2019, quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  15. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  16. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  17. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  18. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  19. Municipal On Lot Sewage Service Areas, quoted and re-checked
  20. Home Use Gas Wells, quoted and re-checked
  21. Apply for a Water Well Drillers License and Rig Permit, quoted and re-checked
  22. City of Scranton Code, Ch. 445 Zoning, Article III District Regulations and Zoning Map (Scranton), quoted and re-checked
  23. Pennsylvania Floodplain Development Guide, quoted and re-checked
  24. Scranton Floodplain Management (scrantonpa.gov)
  25. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit, quoted and re-checked
  26. Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code regulations, Chapter 403, quoted and re-checked
  27. Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 14, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Scranton

Scranton’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Residential construction inside Scranton city

    • Permit also required for fences, retaining walls, water tanks, sidewalks and driveways, window awnings, roof and siding replacement, porch/stoop repair, any deck
    • Emergency repairs may proceed if application is submitted within one business day
    • Permit invalid if work does not begin within 180 days of issuance or is suspended 180 days; may not be extended beyond three years
    “(c) a permit is required for the exceptions listed in § 403.1(b) (relating to scope), and the following construction:”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside Scranton city

    • Adopts PA Construction Code Act 45 of 1999, 34 Pa. Code Part XIV, and 2009 I-codes (IBC, IRC, IMC, IFGC, IPC, IECC, IEBC, IFC) and 2008 NEC, each as amended from time to time
    • Local amendments in § 201-2 to permit requirements, applications and permit validity
    “the city of scranton hereby adopts and incorporates by reference the following codes of the uniform construction code.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Scranton city limits

    • Zoning map is on file at the Scranton municipal building
    “for the purpose of this chapter, the city of scranton is hereby divided into districts which shall be designated on the zoning map and as follows:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Scranton city

    • Districts: CONSV, REC, R-6, R-8, R-9, R-10, R-11, D, N, INST, CIV, HC, PC, CI, LI, plus overlays in Article IV
    • Zoning map on file at the municipal building
    “for the purpose of this chapter, the city of scranton is hereby divided into districts which shall be designated on the zoning map and as follows:”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    CONSV Conservation district (agricultural/conservation/recreational), Scranton city

    • Lot width 150 feet at street line

    minimum lot size: 87120 square feet

    “lot size 87,120 square feet lot width at building setback line 150 feet at street line height principal structure 40 accessory structure coverage building impervious surface 15% yard setback principal structure a front yard, on local/collector street 30 feet a front yard, on arterial street 30 feet b side yard 30 feet c rear yard 10 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-6 Suburban Single Family Residential district, Scranton city
      “lot size 5,000 square feet lot width at building setback line 40 feet at street line height principal structure 35 accessory structure 25 coverage building impervious surface 45% yard setback principal structure a front yard, on local/collector street 20 feet a front yard, on arterial street 20 feet b side yard 4 feet c rear yard 25 feet”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-6 Suburban Single Family Residential district, principal structure, Scranton city

    • Accessory structure: side yard 5 feet, rear yard 5 feet, front yard n/a

    front yard: 20 feet · side yard: 4 feet · rear yard: 25 feet

    “lot size 5,000 square feet lot width at building setback line 40 feet at street line height principal structure 35 accessory structure 25 coverage building impervious surface 45% yard setback principal structure a front yard, on local/collector street 20 feet a front yard, on arterial street 20 feet b side yard 4 feet c rear yard 25 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — CONSV Conservation district, principal structure, Scranton city
      “lot size 87,120 square feet lot width at building setback line 150 feet at street line height principal structure 40 accessory structure coverage building impervious surface 15% yard setback principal structure a front yard, on local/collector street 30 feet a front yard, on arterial street 30 feet b side yard 30 feet c rear yard 10 feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-6 Suburban Single Family Residential district, Scranton city

    • Table labels the figure as building/impervious surface coverage

    coverage: <= 45 percent

    “lot size 5,000 square feet lot width at building setback line 40 feet at street line height principal structure 35 accessory structure 25 coverage building impervious surface 45% yard setback principal structure a front yard, on local/collector street 20 feet a front yard, on arterial street 20 feet b side yard 4 feet c rear yard 25 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — CONSV Conservation district, Scranton city
      “lot size 87,120 square feet lot width at building setback line 150 feet at street line height principal structure 40 accessory structure coverage building impervious surface 15% yard setback principal structure a front yard, on local/collector street 30 feet a front yard, on arterial street 30 feet b side yard 30 feet c rear yard 10 feet”
  • Building heightSpecified

    CONSV Conservation district, Scranton city

    • Unit not stated in table; presumed feet

    principal structure height: <= 40 feet (unit presumed; table does not state it)

    “lot size 87,120 square feet lot width at building setback line 150 feet at street line height principal structure 40 accessory structure coverage building impervious surface 15% yard setback principal structure a front yard, on local/collector street 30 feet a front yard, on arterial street 30 feet b side yard 30 feet c rear yard 10 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-6 Suburban Single Family Residential district, Scranton city
      “lot size 5,000 square feet lot width at building setback line 40 feet at street line height principal structure 35 accessory structure 25 coverage building impervious surface 45% yard setback principal structure a front yard, on local/collector street 20 feet a front yard, on arterial street 20 feet b side yard 4 feet c rear yard 25 feet”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed

    Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the R-6 Suburban Single Family Residential district, Scranton city

    • Listed as accessory use permitted by right (p); supplemental ADU standards elsewhere in Ch. 445 not reviewed
    “carport, garage, or shed p dwelling: accessory (adu) p electric vehicle charing station p”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Residential sidewalks and driveways inside Scranton city

    • Building permit required for driveways under local UCC amendment; PennDOT highway access permits may be required on state roads (application must include any such permits)
    “(1) the following building construction, replacement or repairs: (i) fences. (ii) retaining walls. (iii) water tanks. (iv) sidewalks and driveways.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short term rental, varies by zoning district, Scranton city

    • Permitted accessory use (p) in R-6 and CONSV accessory uses
    • Special exception (se) as principal use in REC district
    • Other districts and any supplemental standards not reviewed
    “home based business, no impact p short term rental p craftsman-artisan workshop se”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Scranton or Lackawanna County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Scranton city
  • Inspections — Construction inspections inside Scranton city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Scranton city
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Scranton city
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside Scranton city
12 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Scranton publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Lackawanna County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Lackawanna County: county rules, score and offices