Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Brecknock Township, Pennsylvania

Brecknock Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings and structures inside Brecknock Township.

  • The adoption incorporates BOCA National Building Code/1990, Eleventh Edition, except as modified by § 40-2.
  • The Township FAQ states that UCC building permits are issued and inspected by three appointed outside agencies.

  adopted code: BOCA National Building Code/1990, Eleventh Edition (Except as provided in § 40-2.)

  “A certain document, three (3) copies of which have been and are presently on file in the office of the Secretary of the Township of Brecknock, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, being marked and designated as "Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc., BOCA National Building Code/1990, Eleventh Edition," be and is adopted as the Building Code of the Township of Brecknock, controlling the design, construction, alterations, enlargements, removal, demolition, equipment, repair, conversion, use and maintenance of all buildings and structures as herein provided.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Work under the Township building code inside Brecknock Township.

  • The permit holder must arrange inspections and construction may not proceed until each construction phase has been approved.
  • The Township FAQ states that three appointed outside agencies issue and inspect UCC building permits.

  “required inspections have been performed”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Brecknock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

  • The Township's zoning ordinance and map are referenced in Code Chapter 110, § 110-15.

  “The Zoning Ordinance and Map for Brecknock Township, as referenced in Section 110- 15”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts mapped inside Brecknock Township.

  • The published map amendment identifies AG Agricultural, AG2 Agricultural-2, FR Forest Recreational, RL Residential Low, RM Residential Medium, NC Neighborhood Commercial, HC Highway Commercial, LI Light Industrial, and MR Mineral Recovery districts.

  “Zoning Districts [...] AG - Agricultural [...] MR - Mineral Recovery”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Changes to lots inside Brecknock Township.

  • A revised subdivision plan must receive final approval from the agency having authority over subdivision and land-development plans and be recorded in the Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds office.

  “A lot shall not be changed, increased or diminished in area from that shown on the official plot site plan, unless a revised subdivision plan has been finally approved by the agency having authority to approve subdivision and land development plans and such approved final plan has been recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Lancaster County.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway resurfacing by Township-road residents inside Brecknock Township.

  • For a property on a Pennsylvania state road, the FAQ directs the resident to PennDOT rather than the Township.

  “Yes. They are available at the Township Office if you live on a township road.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Building and zoning permits inside Brecknock Township.

  • Building-code permit fees are set by the then-current fee schedule adopted by Board resolution or ordinance.
  • Where based on construction cost, valuation is fair market value and may be evaluated initially and at final completion.
  • UCC permit fees are set by each appointed outside agency; zoning fees are available at the Township office.

  “If your project requires a Zoning Permit, those fees are available at the township office. IF your project requires a UCC Building Permit we have appointed three outside agencies to issue and inspect for those. Each of those companies has their own fee schedule.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building and zoning permit applicants inside Brecknock Township.

  • Applications are available at the Township office.
  • At building-permit application, the applicant must provide adequate evidence of all required permits, licenses, approvals, or variances from authorities having jurisdiction.

  “Applications for all Building/Zoning Permits are available at the Township Office.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Brecknock Township or Lancaster County directly.

• Building permit — New residential construction inside Brecknock Township.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Brecknock Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Brecknock Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Brecknock Township zoning districts.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Brecknock Township zoning districts.

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.

Off-grid gear

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

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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