Bolthole Index

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in New Kensington, Pennsylvania

New Kensington, Pennsylvania requires a building permit before construction starts, and the city enforces its own zoning ordinance with residential districts R-1 through R-412. Septic is separate: Pennsylvania has local agencies issue on-lot sewage permits, and we could not confirm which agency covers addresses inside the city3. Westmoreland County has no zoning of its own, so the city's rules are the ones that apply here4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before buildings and related work begin, under the city's building chapter1
Building code
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code adopted as the city's building code5
Zoning
City zoning ordinance with R-1 to R-4 residential districts62
Certificate of occupancy
Required when a building changes ownership and after permitted work is completed7
Subdivision
City regulates subdivision and land development in its own chapter8
Septic
Permit from the local agency under state law; the agency inside city limits is unconfirmed3
Private wells
Homeowners drilling their own well on their own land need no driller license; no city well rule found9
RV and tiny homes
Not confirmed; ask City Hall for the zoning answer for your district6

Who to call

Building permits

City of New Kensington, City Hall

General city contact. Ask here for the office that takes building permit and zoning applications; the city's Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Commission are listed on the same page.

(724) 337-4523

301 Eleventh Street New Kensington, PA 15068

Septic permits

Pennsylvania DEP Bureau of Water Quality Management (Westmoreland County)

State oversight of public sewage and on-lot septic questions for Westmoreland County; the permit itself comes from the local agency.

724-925-5500

Planning & zoning

Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development

County planning. It does not issue building permits or run zoning; it points residents to their municipality.

724-830-3600

40 N Pennsylvania Ave, 5th Floor, Suite 520, Greensburg, PA 15601

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

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Do you need a building permit in New Kensington, Pennsylvania?

Yes. New Kensington's building chapter says a permit is required before any building or related activity the adopted International Building Code covers1. The city has adopted Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code as its municipal building code5. Permits and certificates are issued under the city's building chapter, its code enforcement chapter and the adopted building code10.

Two more steps follow the permit. A certificate of occupancy is required after permitted work is completed, and the city also requires one before a building changes ownership, so a buyer should expect the seller to have it in hand7. Pennsylvania's code also requires inspections for new residential construction and changes to existing buildings11. We could not confirm the city's own inspection schedule or fees, so ask City Hall12.

Who issues building permits in New Kensington, and how do you reach them?

The city issues them, not Westmoreland County. Westmoreland County states that all building permits are handled at the municipal level, so the county planning department sends residents back to their municipality13. Under state rules, each municipality chooses in-house review, a contracted inspection company or state review13.

The city's general contact is City Hall at 301 Eleventh Street, (724) 337-452312. We could not confirm a separate building-permit office or contact, so call and ask which office takes building permit and zoning applications. Pennsylvania also lets a municipality require its own contractor licensing, so ask whether the city does14.

Does New Kensington have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. New Kensington has its own zoning ordinance, adopted by City Council and codified as Chapter 2366. The residential districts are R-1 Low-Density Residential, R-2 Medium-Density Residential, R-3 High-Density Residential and R-4 Transitional Residential/Commercial, and the district boundaries sit on the city's zoning map2.

Lot sizes, yards and building sizes depend on the district: the ordinance points to a schedule of district regulations, and we could not read its numbers, so confirm your parcel's district and its setbacks with City Hall before you buy1516. Westmoreland County has no zoning ordinance, so there is no county rule to fall back on inside the city4.

How do septic permits work inside New Kensington?

We could not confirm which agency issues septic permits inside New Kensington city limits. Pennsylvania law requires a permit from the local agency before an on-lot sewage system is installed, built, occupied or used3. Local agencies can be municipalities, groups of municipalities or county health departments, and the state Department of Environmental Protection oversees them17.

Before you plan around a septic system, ask City Hall whether the parcel is served by public sewer and who acts as the sewage enforcement officer for the address12. The state's Bureau of Water Quality Management handles public sewage and on-lot questions for Westmoreland County at 724-925-550018. Soils are a reason to ask early: about 0.7% of Westmoreland County soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so a site evaluation or engineered system is likely on an undeveloped lot19.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in New Kensington?

We could not confirm it. The city's zoning ordinance controls which uses are allowed in each district, and the use table that would answer RV, tiny-home, manufactured-home and accessory-dwelling questions was not readable to us6. Westmoreland County has no zoning ordinance, which means the county itself puts no RV or tiny-home limit on land, but that does not describe land inside a city with its own zoning20.

Pennsylvania's state park campground stay limits do not answer whether you can live in an RV on your own lot21. Ask City Hall for the zoning officer's written answer for your parcel's district before you buy or move anything onto the lot12.

How do you build a home in New Kensington? The steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel's zoning district and its lot and yard rules with City Hall212.
  2. If you are dividing a lot, plan for the city's own subdivision and land-development chapter, which has submission, standards, fee and enforcement articles8.
  3. Ask who handles septic for the address, or confirm public sewer, before you design the house3.
  4. If the driveway meets a state highway, apply to PennDOT, which usually issues driveway permits within 30 days of a complete application22.
  5. Apply for the building permit under the city's building chapter1.
  6. Schedule the inspections the permit requires11.
  7. Get the certificate of occupancy before anyone moves in7.

What stays with Westmoreland County, and what should you check before buying in New Kensington?

Westmoreland County has no zoning ordinance and does not issue building permits13. The county reviews subdivisions only for municipalities that have not adopted their own subdivision ordinance, and New Kensington has its own chapter238. For land outside city limits, see the Westmoreland County page.

Before you buy, check the septic or sewer question, the zoning district, and flood status, because Pennsylvania municipalities must review permit applications for development in a mapped flood hazard area24. County-level figures: the effective property tax rate is 1.3% and the median property tax bill is $2,473 a year2526, and a typical home is worth about $215,00027.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside New Kensington city limits, so ask City Hall and the state Bureau of Water Quality Management before relying on any lot183.
  • The city's lot-size and setback numbers were not readable to us, so get the figures for your parcel's district in writing from City Hall before you buy15.
  • A building changing hands needs a certificate of occupancy and compliance first, which can hold up a sale if the building does not meet the city's zoning, building and fire codes7.
  • Searches for "New Kensington" can return Westmoreland County's other municipalities; the county's rules do not replace the city's own zoning and building permit rules13.

Sources

  1. Chapter 78: Building Construction - City of New Kensington, PA (New Kensington), quoted and re-checked
  2. Article II: Zoning Districts - City of New Kensington, PA (New Kensington), quoted and re-checked
  3. 25 Pa. Code § 72.22. Permit issuance (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  4. Westmoreland County Planning FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 96: Construction Codes, Uniform - City of New Kensington, PA (New Kensington), quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 236: Zoning - City of New Kensington, PA (New Kensington), quoted and re-checked
  7. Chapter 92: Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance - City of New Kensington, PA (New Kensington), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 185: Subdivision and Land Development - City of New Kensington, PA (New Kensington), quoted and re-checked
  9. Apply for a Water Well Drillers License and Rig Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 78: Building Construction - City of New Kensington, PA (New Kensington), quoted and re-checked
  11. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  12. City of New Kensington, City Hall (newkensingtonpa.org)
  13. Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development (westmorelandcountypa.gov)
  14. Contractor Licensing (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Article III: District Regulations - City of New Kensington, PA (New Kensington), quoted and re-checked
  16. Article III: District Regulations - City of New Kensington, PA (New Kensington), quoted and re-checked
  17. Act 537 Sewage Facilities (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Pennsylvania DEP Bureau of Water Quality Management (Westmoreland County) (westmorelandcountypa.gov)
  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. Westmoreland County Planning FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  21. RV and Tent Campsites (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Subdivision, Development & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  24. PennsylvaniA Floodplain Development Guide (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Typical home value (Zillow): 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 New Kensington

New Kensington’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Buildings and related activities inside New Kensington city limits.

    • Requirement applies to activities specified in the International Building Code adopted by the City.
    “A permit shall be required prior to the initiation of all buildings and other related activities as specified in the International Building Code adopted herein.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside New Kensington city limits.

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

    A building changing ownership inside New Kensington city limits, and work completed under a City building permit.

    • For ownership changes, the certificate must be issued before the change of ownership and state conformity with listed City requirements.
    • For permitted work, certificates specified in the adopted International Building Code are required upon completion.
    “It shall be unlawful to change ownership of a building unless a certificate of occupancy and compliance shall have been issued by the Code Enforcement Officer prior to the change of ownership, stating that the building and land conform to the requirements of the Grading and Zoning Ordinances and the Building and Fire Codes as well as any other city ordinance or code.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside New Kensington city limits.

    • Chapter 236 was adopted by City Council as Ordinance No. 4-93; amendments are noted where applicable.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of New Kensington 2-15-1994 as Ord. No. 4-93. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside New Kensington city limits.

    • District boundaries are established on the attached City Zoning Map, which is part of Chapter 236.

    residential district: R-1 Low-Density Residential · residential district: R-2 Medium-Density Residential · residential district: R-3 High-Density Residential · residential district: R-4 Transitional Residential/Commercial

    “R-1 Low-Density Residential Purpose: To provide opportunities for low-density single-family development and compatible public and accessory uses”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lots in City zoning districts, including R-1 Low-Density Residential.

    • Applies to permitted uses only.
    • The City refers district size regulations to Schedule II; its numeric schedule was unavailable from the official host during this research run.
    “Regulations governing the size of lots, yards and buildings in the various zoning districts for permitted uses only shall be as set forth in Schedule II.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Yards in City zoning districts, including R-1 Low-Density Residential.

    • Applies to permitted uses only.
    • The City refers district yard regulations to Schedule II; its numeric schedule was unavailable from the official host during this research run.
    “Regulations governing the size of lots, yards and buildings in the various zoning districts for permitted uses only shall be as set forth in Schedule II.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development inside New Kensington city limits.

    • Chapter 185 contains submission and processing, performance-standard, construction-requirement, fee, and enforcement articles.
    “Chapter 185 Subdivision and Land Development”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Development projects with major traffic impact inside New Kensington city limits.

    • A major traffic impact is an estimated average daily traffic exceeding 1,000.
    • In lieu of direct access, the developer must provide a project road meeting the stated standard to the closest collector or arterial road.

    major traffic impact threshold: > 1000 daily trip ends

    “All such projects shall have direct access to an arterial road or to a collector road in the City as identified in the Comprehensive Plan. In lieu of such access, the developer shall provide a project road which is capable of handling the level of traffic to be generated and which is proposed for development by the developer to collector or major road standards, as established by the City, from the project site to the closest existing collector or arterial road.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permits and certificates inside New Kensington city limits.

    • Permits and certificates are issued under Chapter 78, Chapter 94, and the adopted International Building Code.
    “Such permits and certificates shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, Chapter 94, Code Enforcement, and the International Building Code adopted herein.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask New Kensington or Westmoreland County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside New Kensington city limits.
  • Inspections — Building construction inside New Kensington city limits.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside New Kensington city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside New Kensington city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside New Kensington city limits.
10 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 New Kensington publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Westmoreland County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Westmoreland County: county rules, score and offices