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

Unity Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Buildings in Unity Township.

  • The adopted UCC is as amended from time to time and includes Appendixes B and C of the International Fire Code.

  “The Uniform Construction Code (UCC), contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time, together with Appendixes B and C of the International Fire Code contained therein, as amended, be and is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code of and for Unity Township.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction and development inside Unity Township.

  • The authorized official makes inspections during construction and upon completion as necessary.

  “During the construction period, the Building Permit Officer or other authorized official shall inspect the premises to determine that the work is progressing in compliance with the information provided on the permit application and with all applicable Unity Township laws and ordinances. He shall make as many inspections during and upon completion of the work as are necessary.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Occupancy of land or structures inside Unity Township under the zoning ordinance.

  • A development occupancy permit also certifies validity of nonconforming uses or structures.

  “A development occupancy permit shall be required prior to the occupancy of land or structure or any portion thereof and to certify the validity of nonconforming uses or structures. Any use of property existing without a development occupancy permit shall not be deemed "lawfully existing."”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Unity Township.

  • Chapter 118 is adopted as the Unity Township Zoning Ordinance.

  “This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Unity Township Zoning Ordinance."”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development inside Unity Township.

  • Zoning compliance and lawful issuance of required permits are required before subdivision or land development of a lot, tract, or parcel is made.

  “Full compliance with all the provisions of this chapter, and the lawful issuance of all permits required by this chapter, shall be required before: [...] The subdivision or land development of any lot, tract or parcel of land is made.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Proposed construction or development in a flood-prone area inside Unity Township.

  • A building-permit application requires a determination or certification whether planned construction is within a flood-prone area.
  • For a flood-prone plan, the Building Permit Officer submits plans and application to the Township Engineer for review and comment.

  “In accordance with the administrative regulations promulgated by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to implement the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act, the following activities shall be prohibited within any identified floodplain area unless a special permit has been issued by the Township:”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Township permits and licenses inside Unity Township.

  • The fee chart is incorporated as Exhibit A.
  • The code page lists a Fees Amendment adopted 2026-04-09 as Resolution No. R-11-2026.

  “The Township shall charge and assess those necessary costs and expenses for municipal services in the review of applications and the issuance of permits or licenses in accordance with the chart attached hereto, marked as Exhibit A and made a part hereof by reference.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applicants inside Unity Township.

  • Applicant files a completed application, fees, flood-prone-area determination, square-footage certification, agricultural-purpose certification, and sketch or plan.
  • Additional information may be required by the Building Permit Officer.
  • County Conservation District review may be required by the Township Ordinance Officer.

  “Applicants shall file the following minimum information plus any other pertinent information as may be required by the Building Permit Officer to make the above determination:”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential work inside Unity Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Unity Township.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Unity Township.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Unity Township.
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Unity Township.

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 Unity 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.

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