Bolthole Index

Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Hatfield Borough, Pennsylvania

Hatfield Borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania requires a building permit under the state Uniform Construction Code, which the borough has adopted as its own building code1. The borough also zones its own land under Chapter 27, with a set of residential, commercial and industrial districts2. On-lot septic permits and well permits are Montgomery County Office of Public Health matters, not borough ones34.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; the borough has adopted the Uniform Construction Code1
Zoning
Borough zoning under Chapter 27, with named districts25
Septic
On-lot permits come from the county Office of Public Health; borough rule unconfirmed3
Driveways
Borough driveway permit for new, replaced or substantially repaired driveways6
Height limit
35 feet unless a special exception is granted7
Owner-builder
No state contractor license for most construction; borough rule unconfirmed8
Wells
Drinking-water wells need a county permit4

Who to call

Building permits

Hatfield Borough Building & Zoning (Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer)

Building permits, zoning permits, driveway permits, use and occupancy forms and subdivision applications inside the borough

(215) 855-0781

code@hatfieldborough.com

401 South Main Street P.O. Box 190 Hatfield, PA 19440

Septic permits

Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH)

On-lot sewage permits and inspections and individual water-supply well permits in Montgomery County

610-278-5117

publichealth@montgomerycountypa.gov

1430 DeKalb Street, PO Box 311

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Hatfield Borough, PA?

Yes. Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code requires property owners to obtain a construction or building permit before starting any work9, and Hatfield Borough has adopted that code as its Borough Building Code1.

The borough's code excludes agricultural buildings, and accessory structures of less than 150 square feet built without footers that serve a detached one-family dwelling10. Other borough, zoning and safety rules can still apply to those structures10.

The application asks for two legible copies of drawings, plans and construction documents, and a permit for a permanent structure must include a current property survey11. Fees are set by Borough Council resolution12. A certificate of occupancy is required under the state code before a building can be used13.

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

The borough's own Building & Zoning department handles building permits, zoning permits and driveway permits inside Hatfield; the Montgomery County Planning Commission does not142. The page lists a Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer, a phone line at (215) 855-0781 and the email code@hatfieldborough.com14.

The department's posted forms include a building permit application, a zoning permit application, a driveway permit application and a subdivision and land development application14. Call before you go in, since the posted hours differ by day.

Does Hatfield Borough have zoning, and what does it mean for setbacks and height?

Hatfield Borough has its own zoning under Chapter 27, which divides the borough into residential, apartment, commercial, commercial core and industrial districts2. Montgomery County does not run a single zoning ordinance; its municipalities make land-use and zoning decisions individually15.

Front-yard setbacks are measured from the ultimate right-of-way of the street, and corner lots must meet the front-yard setback on both streets16. Buildings cannot exceed 35 feet in height except by special exception7.

Subdivision and land-development proposals are also regulated by the borough's Chapter 2217. We could not confirm district lot-size, lot-coverage or minimum-home-size figures, so ask the Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer for the schedule for your district14.

How do septic permits work in Hatfield Borough?

Pennsylvania requires a permit from the local agency before an on-lot sewage system is installed or used18. In Montgomery County, that permit comes from the county Office of Public Health, whose Sewage Enforcement Officers inspect the installed system and give final approval319.

We could not confirm whether any lot inside the borough is eligible for an on-lot system, or what the borough requires for sewer connection; the borough posts a sewer lateral inspection form14. Ask the borough office first whether your address is sewered, then call the Office of Public Health at 610-278-5117 if an on-lot system is in play20. A private drinking-water, irrigation or geothermal well in Montgomery County also needs a county permit before installation4.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Hatfield Borough?

We could not confirm a borough rule on living in an RV, camping or occupying a tiny home on private land in Hatfield. Ask the Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer before bringing one onto a lot14.

Pennsylvania's published camping limits cover state park campgrounds only and do not answer whether you can live in an RV on your own land21. Any dwelling you build or place still goes through the building permit and zoning process above12.

Building a home in Hatfield Borough: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district and its setback and height limits with the borough Building & Zoning office145.
  2. Ask the borough whether the address is on public sewer; if an on-lot system is proposed, contact the county Office of Public Health2022.
  3. If you are dividing land, file the subdivision and land-development application with the borough17.
  4. Apply for the building permit with plans and a current property survey11, and a driveway permit if you are building a driveway6.
  5. Pass the required inspections, then obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving in2313.

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

Septic permits, septic inspections and well permits stay with the county Office of Public Health34. Montgomery County's Planning Commission reviews subdivision and land-development proposals, but its review is advisory and the borough makes the final approval24. For land outside the borough, see the Montgomery County page.

A driveway onto a state highway also needs a PennDOT highway occupancy permit25. If the lot is in a floodplain, the building application needs documentation sealed by a registered design professional26. Montgomery County's effective property tax rate is 1.4%27.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm whether Hatfield Borough has a rule for owner-built homes; Pennsylvania has no state contractor license for most construction, but municipalities may impose their own8.
  • A driveway in the borough needs an application and fees, but routine maintenance of an existing driveway does not6.
  • The borough's building fee schedule is set by resolution and can change, so confirm current fees with the borough office1214.

Sources

  1. Borough of Hatfield, PA Uniform Construction Code (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 27: Zoning - Borough of Hatfield, PA (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  3. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  4. Individual Water Supply Well Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  5. Part 1: Title, Purpose and Jurisdiction; Establishment of Districts - Borough of Hatfield, PA (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  6. Part 8: General Regulations - Borough of Hatfield, PA (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  7. Part 8: General Regulations - Borough of Hatfield, PA (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  8. Contractor Licensing (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  10. Borough of Hatfield, PA Uniform Construction Code (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  11. Construction Work Application (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  12. Borough of Hatfield, PA Uniform Construction Code (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  13. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  14. Hatfield Borough Building & Zoning (Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer) (hatfieldborough.com)
  15. Homes For All, quoted and re-checked
  16. Part 8: General Regulations - Borough of Hatfield, PA (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  17. Part 8: General Regulations - Borough of Hatfield, PA (Borough of Hatfield), quoted and re-checked
  18. 25 Pa. Code § 72.22. Permit issuance (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  20. Montgomery County Office of Public Health (OPH) (montgomerycountypa.gov)
  21. RV and Tent Campsites (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. On-Lot Sewage Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  23. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  24. Subdivision & Land Development Reviews, quoted and re-checked
  25. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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 Borough of Hatfield

Borough of Hatfield’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction regulated inside Hatfield borough.

    • The Borough code lists exceptions to its adoption, including agricultural buildings and specified accessory structures under 150 square feet built without footers.
    “The Uniform Construction Code, contained within 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the Borough Building Code with the following exceptions.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Hatfield borough.

    • Land use is subject to Chapter 27 zoning district and permit requirements.
    “For the purpose of this chapter, the Borough is hereby divided into the following districts, which are designated as follows: A. R-1 Residential. B. R-2 Residential. C. R-3 Residential-Commercial. D. R-4 Mixed Use Residential. E. A Apartment. F. C Commercial. G. CC Commercial Core. H. I Industrial.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land inside Hatfield borough.

    • The zoning map and its notations and references are part of Chapter 27.
    “For the purpose of this chapter, the Borough is hereby divided into the following districts, which are designated as follows: A. R-1 Residential. B. R-2 Residential. C. R-3 Residential-Commercial. D. R-4 Mixed Use Residential. E. A Apartment. F. C Commercial. G. CC Commercial Core. H. I Industrial.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    All zoning districts inside Hatfield borough, subject to applicable district standards.

    • Front-yard setbacks are measured from the ultimate street right-of-way.
    • Corner lots must meet applicable-district front-yard setbacks on both intersecting streets.
    • Certain stated projections and patios are permitted in required yards.
    “All front yard setbacks required under this chapter shall be calculated from the ultimate right-of-way of the street on which the lot fronts, as specified in Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings inside Hatfield borough.

    • Height above 35 feet requires a special exception.
    • For church spires, belfries, clocks, radio antennas, water tanks, chimneys, or similar structures exceeding 35 feet, each five feet in excess requires an added foot of width or depth in each yard.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (May exceed by special exception.)

    “No building shall exceed 35 feet in height except by special exception. Any church spire, belfry, clock, radio antenna, water tank, chimney or similar structure, may exceed the maximum building height by special exception, provided that every five feet in excess of 35 feet there shall be added to each yard a corresponding foot of width or depth.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Agricultural buildings inside Hatfield borough.

    • This is an exception from the Borough-adopted Uniform Construction Code; other Borough, state, land-use, and safety requirements may still apply.
    “The Uniform Construction Code does not apply to agricultural buildings, one-room schoolhouses owned and operated exclusively by a recognized religious sect, or the following structures if the structure has a building area of less than 150 square feet and is built without footers and is accessory to a detached one-family dwelling:”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land-development proposals inside Hatfield borough.

    • Proposals are also regulated by Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development.
    • Applications must be filed with the Borough.
    “In addition to complying with the specific requirements in other applicable Parts of this chapter, subdivision and/or land development proposals, as defined herein, are further regulated by Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Construction, replacement, or substantial repair of a driveway or common driveway inside Hatfield borough.

    • No permit is required for normal and customary maintenance that is not substantial improvement or replacement.
    • The owner must submit an application and pay applicable fees set by Borough resolution.
    • Construction must conform to Driveway Construction Standards and applicable roadway requirements determined by the Borough Engineer.
    “Any property owner within the Borough seeking to construct, replace or substantially repair a driveway or common driveway shall submit an application with the Borough and pay any applicable fees as the Borough may approve by resolution from time to time. No permit shall be required for normal and customary maintenance of an existing driveway, providing that such normal and customary maintenance does not constitute substantial improvement or replacement.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Uniform Construction Code administration and enforcement inside Hatfield borough.

    • The fee schedule is established by Borough Council resolution from time to time.
    “A fee schedule for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this Part and the Code shall be established by the Borough Council of this Borough by resolution from time to time.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Construction permitting inside Hatfield borough.

    • Applicant submits two legible copies of drawings, plans, and construction documents.
    • Commercial plans must be signed/sealed by a design professional; residential plans may require signing and sealing based on project complexity.
    • A permanent-structure application must include a current property survey showing existing and proposed improvements.
    “Applicant shall submit two (2) legible copies of all drawings/plans and construction documents. Commercial plans shall be signed/sealed by a design professional. Residential plans may have to be signed and sealed, depending on the complexity of the project. Permit applications involving the construction of a permanent structure must include a copy of the current property survey showing all existing and proposed improvements.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Borough of Hatfield or Montgomery County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Hatfield borough.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Hatfield borough.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Principal single-family dwellings inside Hatfield borough.
  • Minimum lot size — Principal single-family residential districts inside Hatfield borough.
  • Lot coverage — Lots inside Hatfield borough.
11 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Short-term rentals

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 Borough of Hatfield publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Montgomery County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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