Bolthole Index

Washington County, Pennsylvania

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Union Township, Washington County, PA

Union Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania requires a building permit before any building is erected, added to or structurally altered, and the Zoning Officer issues it1. The township has its own zoning chapter adopted by the Board of Supervisors2. Septic permits are not decided by the township's zoning office; we could not confirm which local agency issues them, so call the township office first.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; issued by the township Zoning Officer1
Building code
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, adopted as the Union Township Building Code3
Zoning
Township zoning chapter (Chapter 280) applies2
Driveways
Individual permit from the township for township roads4
Sewer connection
Required where a public sewer abuts the property5
Septic permit
Local agency under state law; township-specific agency not confirmed6
Owner-builder
No township exemption found; no state contractor license for most work7

Who to call

Building permits

Union Township Municipal Building

Township office; building permit and zoning application forms are posted on the township site

724-348-4250

3904 Finleyville-Elrama Road Finleyville, PA, 15332

Planning & zoning

Union Township planning, zoning and code enforcement forms

Building permit, zoning, driveway and subdivision applications

Septic permits

Washington County Sewage Council (named on the township's forms page)

Dye tests for properties with a septic system; holding tank permits are completed with it

724.223.0504

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

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Do you need a building permit in Union Township, PA?

Yes. Union Township requires a building permit before a building or structure is erected, added to or structurally altered, and the permit is issued by the Zoning Officer1. The township has adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as the Union Township Building Code3. The Zoning Officer must act on an application within 30 days of receiving it1. A permit expires if work has not begun within six months or is not substantially completed within two years1.

Smaller projects still need paperwork: the township says a fence, a shed under 200 sq ft or a carport needs a zoning permit application so setbacks can be reviewed, even where no building permit is needed8. Agricultural buildings are excluded from the state code, but that does not exempt them from zoning or septic rules9.

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

The Zoning Officer issues building permits, and applications are filed on a township form10. The township posts residential and commercial building permit applications, a zoning application and a driveway application on its planning, zoning and code enforcement page8. For general questions, call the Union Township Municipal Building at 724-348-4250, 3904 Finleyville-Elrama Road, Finleyville11. We could not confirm the name or contact details of the current Zoning Officer, so ask the township office who to send the application to.

A certificate of occupancy is required to use a building, and it is acted on within five working days after the Zoning Officer's inspection12. A temporary certificate can allow partial occupancy for up to six months13.

Does Union Township have zoning?

Yes. Union Township has its own zoning chapter, adopted by the Board of Supervisors, and it applies to land inside the township2. Washington County has no countywide zoning; the county directs zoning questions to the municipality where the property is located14. Because zoning is local, setbacks and allowed uses depend on the district your parcel is in, so check the township's zoning map and ordinance before you buy.

We could not confirm the township's rules on living in an RV, tiny homes, accessory dwellings, manufactured homes outside parks, or a minimum house size. Do not assume any of these is allowed; ask the township office, in writing, before you commit to a plan. Pennsylvania's state park camping rules do not answer the question of living in an RV on your own land15.

How do septic permits work in Union Township?

Under Pennsylvania law, a permit from the local agency is required before installing or using an onlot septic system6. Local agencies can be a municipality, a joint agency, or a county or joint county health department16. We could not confirm which agency handles septic permits across Union Township. The township's forms page tells owners with a septic system to call the Washington County Sewage Council at 724.223.0504 for dye tests, and says holding tank permits go through that council and DEP forms17.

Where a public sewer abuts your property, the township can require you to connect within 60 days of notice, and a septic tank may not be maintained on a property that is connected or required to connect518. Washington County's soils matter too: USDA rates only 0.2% of the county's soils as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system19.

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

  1. Confirm your parcel's zoning district with the township office and the zoning map2.
  2. Ask whether a public sewer abuts the lot; if so, plan to connect5.
  3. If you will use a septic system, contact the Washington County Sewage Council before design17.
  4. File the building and zoning application with the Zoning Officer on the township form10.
  5. If the driveway meets a township road, get an individual driveway permit; a stormwater plan may be required first4. A driveway onto a state road needs a PennDOT permit20.
  6. Schedule inspections and get the certificate of occupancy before moving in12.

Subdividing first? Every subdivision needs a sewage planning module, and the Washington County Planning Commission reviews plans before municipal approval821.

What to check before you buy land in Union Township

Floodplain: development in a flood plain needs documentation sealed by a registered design professional22. Driveway fees are set annually by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, so ask for the current amount23. Wells: Pennsylvania has construction standards for public water-supply wells but not for private wells, and we could not confirm any township well rule24. For land outside the township, see the Washington County page.

County context: Washington County's effective property tax rate is 1.1%25, and farmland averages $7,188 an acre26.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm the township's rules on RVs, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or minimum house size; ask the township office before buying2.
  • We could not confirm which agency issues septic permits inside Union Township; start with the Washington County Sewage Council number the township lists17.
  • Owner-built homes: we found no township exemption, and the state's recreational cabin exclusion is not a general owner-builder exemption27.

Sources

  1. Article XXII: Administration and Enforcement - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 280: Zoning - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 113: Construction Codes, Uniform - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 236: Streets and Sidewalks - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Article II: Sewer Connections - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. 25 Pa. Code § 72.22. Permit issuance (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Contractor Licensing (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Union Township planning, zoning and code enforcement forms (uniontwp.com)
  9. Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, quoted and re-checked
  10. Article XXII: Administration and Enforcement - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Union Township Municipal Building (uniontwp.com)
  12. Article XXII: Administration and Enforcement - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Article XXII: Administration and Enforcement - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Subdivision & Land Development Review, quoted and re-checked
  15. RV and Tent Campsites (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Municipal On Lot Sewage Service Areas, quoted and re-checked
  17. Washington County Sewage Council (named on the township's forms page) (uniontwp.com)
  18. Article II: Sewer Connections - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  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 PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Washington County Planning Commission Subdivision and Land Development Review Policy, quoted and re-checked
  22. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  23. Chapter 236: Streets and Sidewalks - Township of Union, PA (Union Township), quoted and re-checked
  24. Apply for a Water Well Drillers License and Rig Permit, quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  27. pa.gov, 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 Union Township

Union Township’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Erection, additions, and structural alterations of buildings or structures inside Union Township.

    • A permit may not be issued for work or use violating Chapter 280 except after written Zoning Hearing Board order.
    • A permit issued in conflict with Chapter 280 is null and void.
    • The permit expires if work has not begun within six months, or has not been substantially completed within two years.

    zoning officer decision deadline: <= 30 days after receiving application

    “No building or structure shall be erected, added to or structurally altered until a building permit has been issued by the Zoning Officer. No building permit shall be issued for any building where said construction, addition or alteration or use thereof would be in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, except after written order from the Zoning Hearing Board.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction regulated by Union Township's Building Code inside the Township.

    • The referenced state code and regulations are incorporated as amended from time to time.

    adopted code: Uniform Construction Code, 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405

    “is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the Union Township Building Code.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Work completed under a building permit and subject to a certificate of occupancy inside Union Township.

    • The certificate of occupancy is acted upon after Zoning Officer inspection of completed work.
    • The Zoning Officer also conducts inspections and surveys for zoning compliance.

    certificate action deadline: <= 5 working days after inspection

    “Certificates of occupancy shall be applied for coincident with the application for a building permit and shall be acted upon within five working days after inspection by the Zoning Officer of the work completed under a building permit.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of any building, structure, lot, or part thereof inside Union Township.

    • A temporary certificate can allow partial occupancy for no more than six months while work is completed and may include health-and-safety safeguards.
    • For a new or changed use with no building permit, the certificate is included in the zoning-permit application.

    temporary certificate maximum period: <= 6 months (partial occupancy while work is being completed)

    “certificate of occupancy has been issued”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Union Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.

    • The chapter was adopted by the Township Board of Supervisors and has subsequent amendments noted where applicable.
    “Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Union 9-11-1996 by Ord. No. 106”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Improved property inside Union Township that is connected, or required to connect, to a public sewer.

    • The restriction applies when a property has been connected or is required under § 211-16(A) to connect.
    • Existing receptacles must be abandoned and may require cleansing and filling at owner expense under Township direction and supervision.
    “No privy vault, cesspool, sinkhole, septic tank or similar receptacle shall be used and maintained”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Improved property inside Union Township that abuts or adjoins a right-of-way containing a sewer.

    • Connection follows Township manner, terms, conditions, limitations, and restrictions.
    • The owner may be excused on written request where the building-to-lateral distance exceeds 150 feet or grade/elevation makes connection infeasible.
    • The Township's notice specifies a 60-day connection deadline after a sewer capable of receiving and conveying waste is in place.
    • A septic tank or similar receptacle may not be maintained where the property is connected or required to connect.

    connection deadline: 60 days after notice · building-to-lateral distance: > 150 feet (Township may excuse connection upon written request)

    “within 60 days after notice to such owner from the Township”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Installation or alteration of driveways connecting to Township public roads inside Union Township.

    • Each driveway requires an individual permit.
    • For a connection, the owner files the Township form, pays issuance and inspection fees, and provides a sketch and required drainage/sight-distance information.
    • A stormwater management plan may be required and must be approved before driveway-permit issuance.
    “without first obtaining a permit from the Township.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Driveway permits for Township-road connections inside Union Township.

    • The amount is approved annually by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
    • Each driveway requires an individual permit.
    • Application fees and general inspection fees are determined by Board resolution from time to time.
    “The fee for said permit shall be set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning and building permit applications inside Union Township.

    • The zoning application must be made in writing by the owner, tenant, contract vendee, or authorized agent on a Township form and filed with the Zoning Officer.
    • Combined building/zoning applications may use one drawing where the required information duplicates.
    • The Zoning Officer may require plan changes needed for compliance and must act within 30 days.

    building-permit decision deadline: <= 30 days after receiving application

    “In those instances where a zoning permit is applied for, the application 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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Union Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Union Township.
  • Living in an RV — Residential occupancy in recreational vehicles inside Union Township.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Union Township.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Union Township.
10 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • 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 Union 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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