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

Cecil Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erection, alteration, or additions to buildings or structures within Cecil Township.

  • Written application to the Building Code Official and issuance of a permit are required before work; the rule also refers to the Township's land-development ordinances.

  “From and after the effective date of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person, association or corporation to erect, alter or add to any building or structure within the limits of the Township of Cecil unless such person, association or corporation shall have first made application in writing to the Building Code Official for a building permit in accordance with the terms of this chapter and the terms of the Township's land development ordinances and shall have been issued such a building permit.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development within Cecil Township.

  • The chapter contains procedures for minor subdivisions, major subdivisions, land development, plat adjustments, and waivers.

  “Article III Subdivision and Land Development Procedure § 210-8 Application and general provisions. § 210-9 Application and inspection fees. § 210-10 Minor subdivision procedure. § 210-11 Major subdivision and land development procedure.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Cecil Township building-permit applications.

  • The estimated construction cost is determined by the Building Code Official; fees are set by the Board of Supervisors and may be changed by resolution.

  permit fee basis: estimated cost of erection, alteration or addition

  “All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by a permit fee based upon the estimated cost of the erection, alteration or addition, which said estimated cost shall be determined by the Building Code Official. The fee shall be paid into the general fund of the Township of Cecil for the use of the said Township. Fees for building permits shall be set by the Board of Supervisors and may be changed by resolution as seen fit by the Board.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Cecil Township building-permit applications.

  • Applications must use Township and Building Code Official forms and be accompanied by a plot drawn to scale; Chapter 210 subdivision rules are referenced.

  “All applications for building permits shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the Township of Cecil and the Building Code Official and shall set forth the location, distance from the nearest adjacent building, character of the building and the materials to be used in the erection, alteration or addition thereof, the estimated value of the construction, and any deed restrictions governing construction on the property.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction within Cecil Township.
• Building code adopted — Construction within Cecil Township.
• Inspections — Building construction within Cecil Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures within Cecil Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in Cecil 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 Cecil 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.

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.