Bolthole Index

Washington County, Pennsylvania

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

Nottingham Township, Pennsylvania, in Washington County, has its own zoning ordinance and requires a building permit before you erect, enlarge or structurally alter a building.12 Zoning approval and the certificate of occupancy come from the Township Zoning Officer.3 We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside the township, so ask the Township office before you buy.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before erecting, enlarging or structurally altering a building; exterior painting and replacing roofing, siding, windows and doors do not need one2
Building code
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, adopted by the Township as its municipal building code4
Zoning
Yes, a Township zoning ordinance (Chapter 425) with A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, B-1, B-2, M-1 and Route 136 districts15
Minimum lot, no public sewer and water
2 acres in A-1 Agricultural; 1 acre in R-1 Rural Residential67
Certificate of occupancy
Required before a new or altered building is occupied, issued by the Zoning Officer3
Septic permits
Local agency under Act 537; the agency for Nottingham Township is unconfirmed, ask the Township office8
Subdivision
Regulated by the Township, with a Washington County Planning Commission review first910

Who to call

Building permits

Nottingham Township office (Zoning Officer and building permits)

Township zoning, building permits, certificates of occupancy and zoning hearing questions for land inside Nottingham Township

724-348-5622

909 Sugar Run Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330

Planning & zoning

Washington County Planning Commission

County review of subdivision and land development plans before the Township can approve them

(724) 228-6811

95 W Beau St, Washington, PA 15301

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 Nottingham Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Nottingham Township, PA have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size?

Yes. Nottingham Township adopted its own zoning ordinance, Chapter 425, through its Board of Supervisors, and the Township enforces it.1 The districts are A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, B-1, B-2, M-1 and Route 136.5

For a detached single-family home without public sewage and water, the minimum lot is 2 acres in the A-1 Agricultural District and 1 acre in the R-1 Rural Residential District.67 Maximum lot coverage is 20% in A-1 and 30% in R-1, and principal structures may reach 50 feet in both.11121314

We could not confirm any explicit Township rule on RVs, temporary camping or tiny homes. The Township office is the place to ask before you plan to live in one.

Do you need a building permit in Nottingham Township, and who issues it?

Yes. Nottingham Township requires a building permit before razing, erecting, enlarging or structurally altering a building, including added porches, carports and decks, and before moving a building into or within the Township.2 Exterior painting and replacing lights, roofing shingles, siding, windows, doors, chimneys or entrances do not need one.2

The Township has adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as its municipal building code.4 Pennsylvania's agricultural-building exclusion removes a qualifying farm building from the UCC, but it does not exempt that building from zoning, subdivision, septic or floodplain rules.15

Zoning permit applications go to the Township Zoning Officer, who must decide within 90 days unless the applicant agrees in writing to more time.16 The fee schedule is set by Board of Supervisors resolution, so ask the Township office for current amounts.17 Call the Township office at the number listed below.18

How do septic permits work in Nottingham Township?

Pennsylvania places on-lot sewage permitting with a local agency under Act 537, which may be a municipality, a joint agency, the county or a health department.8 We could not confirm which agency issues septic permits inside Nottingham Township, or whether the Township requires a sewer connection in the Peters Creek Watershed Area, so ask the Township office before you buy.

Expect a site evaluation. Only a small share of Washington County soils (about 0.2%) rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so many lots will need testing or an engineered system.19 Pennsylvania has no construction standards for private water wells and does not require homeowners drilling their own to hold a driller's license; we could not confirm a Township well rule.20

Building a home in Nottingham Township: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Township office which zoning district your parcel is in and whether public sewage and water reach it.518
  2. Confirm the lot meets the district minimum: 2 acres in A-1 or 1 acre in R-1 without public sewage and water.67
  3. If you are dividing land, expect Washington County Planning Commission review before the Township can approve the plan.1021
  4. Settle septic and well questions with the Township office.
  5. Apply to the Township Zoning Officer, then obtain the building permit.162
  6. Pass inspection and obtain the certificate of occupancy before anyone moves in.223

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

The county does not enforce Township zoning. Washington County's Planning Commission reviews subdivision plans, and zoning questions go to the municipality where the property sits.23 For land outside the Township, see the Washington County page.

County-level figures: the effective property tax rate is 1.1%, with a median annual bill of about $2,445.2425 The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 20 miles from the county center.26

If construction will occur in a flood plain, the UCC requires documentation sealed by a registered design professional.27 A driveway onto a state highway needs a PennDOT permit.28

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside Nottingham Township or what the Township requires for sewer connections, so ask the Township office before you sign a purchase contract.18
  • We could not confirm any Township rule on living in an RV or tiny home while you build; ask the Township office before you move one onto the land.18
  • An agricultural building can be excluded from the UCC, but zoning, subdivision, septic and floodplain rules still apply to it.15
  • Nottingham Township's published fee schedule is adopted by resolution, so fees are not listed in the ordinance; ask the Township office for current amounts.17

Sources

  1. Chapter 425: Zoning - Township of Nottingham, PA (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Township of Nottingham, PA Certificates and Permits (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Township of Nottingham, PA Certificates and Permits (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 155: Construction - Township of Nottingham, PA (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Township of Nottingham Schedule of Primary Land Uses (§ 425-20) (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Township of Nottingham Schedule of Area and Bulk Regulations (§ 425-26) (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Township of Nottingham Schedule of Area and Bulk Regulations (§ 425-26) (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Municipal On Lot Sewage Service Areas, quoted and re-checked
  9. Township of Nottingham Subdivision and Land Development (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Washington County Planning Commission Subdivision and Land Development Review Policy, quoted and re-checked
  11. Township of Nottingham Schedule of Area and Bulk Regulations (§ 425-26) (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Township of Nottingham Schedule of Area and Bulk Regulations (§ 425-26) (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Township of Nottingham Schedule of Area and Bulk Regulations (§ 425-26) (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Township of Nottingham Schedule of Area and Bulk Regulations (§ 425-26) (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, quoted and re-checked
  16. Township of Nottingham, PA Certificates and Permits (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Township of Nottingham, PA Certificates and Permits (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. Nottingham Township office (Zoning Officer and building permits) (nottinghamtwp.com)
  19. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Apply for a Water Well Drillers License and Rig Permit, quoted and re-checked
  21. Washington County Planning Commission (washingtoncopa.gov)
  22. Township of Nottingham, PA Certificates and Permits (Nottingham Township), quoted and re-checked
  23. Subdivision & Land Development Review, quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  28. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

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 Nottingham Township

Nottingham Township’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Razing, erection, enlargement, structural alteration, or moving of a building or structure inside Nottingham Township.

    • A permit is not necessary for exterior painting or removal and replacement of lights, roofing shingles, siding, windows, doors, chimneys, or entrances.
    “Requirements. A building permit shall be required prior to the razing, erection, enlargement and structural alteration of any building, structure or portion thereof (including added porches, carports and decks) and prior to the moving of a building into the Township or from one place in the Township to another. A building permit is not necessary for exterior painting or the removal and replacement of lights or roofing shingles, siding, windows, doors, chimneys or entrances.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside Nottingham Township.

    • The incorporated Uniform Construction Code is amended from time to time.
    “The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code of the municipality.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings erected, altered, enlarged, or changed in use inside Nottingham Township before occupancy or use.

    • The inspection and approval support a certificate of occupancy and must show conformity with the building permit, Chapter 425, and other applicable ordinances.
    “No building or part thereof hereafter erected, altered, enlarged or changed in use shall be occupied or used without a certificate of occupancy issued by the Zoning Officer, certifying that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity with the building permit and the provisions of this chapter and other applicable ordinances.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings erected, altered, enlarged, or changed in use inside Nottingham Township.

    • A new certificate is required for continued occupancy of a structure determined uninhabitable by the Building Inspector until brought to acceptable standards.
    • parameters omitted: none.
    “No building or part thereof hereafter erected, altered, enlarged or changed in use shall be occupied or used without a certificate of occupancy issued by the Zoning Officer, certifying that the work has been inspected and approved as being in conformity with the building permit and the provisions of this chapter and other applicable ordinances.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Nottingham Township.

    • Chapter 425 was adopted by the Township Board of Supervisors on February 20, 2017, with amendments noted where applicable.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Nottingham 2-20-2017 by Ord. No. 110. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Nottingham Township.

    • The schedule lists A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, B-1, B-2, M-1, and Route 136 districts.
    “Land Use Zoning Districts A-1 R-1 R-2 R-3 B-1 B-2 M-1 Rt.136”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside Nottingham Township.

    • The ordinance contains preliminary-approval, final-approval, modified-review, Township-decision, and final-plan-recording procedures.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Nottingham 3-16-2020 by Ord. No. 116. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Township zoning permits and applications inside Nottingham Township.

    • The fee schedule is to be adopted by Board of Supervisors resolution; appeals, special exceptions, variances, and other fee-requiring procedures require payment when application is made.
    “Fees for permits shall be paid in accordance with a fee schedule to be adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, and all such fees shall be paid to the Township of Nottingham for deposit into the Township treasury.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning-permit applications for development inside Nottingham Township.

    • Applications are filed with the Zoning Officer and include four copies of listed information; a decision is due within 90 days unless the applicant agrees in writing to an extension. If no timely decision is rendered, the application is deemed granted immediately.

    zoning permit decision period: <= 90 days (Applicant may agree in writing to an extension)

    “Application requirements. All applications for zoning permits shall be made in writing by the owner, tenant, vendee under contract of sale or authorized agent on a form supplied by the Township and shall be filed with the Zoning Officer. The application shall include four copies of the following information:”

Rules another office applies inside Nottingham Township

Nottingham Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Detached single-family dwellings without public sewage and water in Nottingham Township's A-1 Agricultural District.

    • The quoted standard expressly applies where public sewage and water are absent.

    minimum lot size: 2 acres (Detached single-family dwelling without public sewage and water)

    “Detached single-family dwelling (without public sewage and water) 2 acres 1 acre 1 acre 1 acre — — — —”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lots in Nottingham Township's A-1 Agricultural District.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 20 percent (A-1 Agricultural District)

    “Maximum lot coverage 20% 30% 30% 35% 40% 40% 40% —”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Principal structures in Nottingham Township's A-1 Agricultural District.

    principal structure maximum height: <= 50 feet (A-1 Agricultural District)

    “Principal structure maximum height 50 feet 50 feet 50 feet 35 feet 45 feet 45 feet 45 feet 50 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-performed residential construction inside Nottingham Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Nottingham Township.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Nottingham Township.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Nottingham Township.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Nottingham Township.
11 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Nottingham Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Washington County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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