These are the 10 most frequently asked questions regarding zoning issues/permits in Riegelsville Borough and are meant to address general concerns. They are not intended to be exhaustive or comprehensive. For additional or more specific information, please contact the Riegelsville Borough secretary at [email protected] or the zoning officer at [email protected].
If you’re looking for a permit, please scroll to the bottom of this page to download the most common permits.
1) Do the Riegelsville Borough zoning ordinances apply to my property?
If your property (residential or commercial) is located within the geographic limits of Riegelsville Borough, your property is subject to the Borough zoning ordinances.
You can find a map outlining the boundaries of Riegelsville Borough in the Bucks County website under Maps & Data (https://maps.buckscounty.gov/).
A 18077 mailing address does not automatically indicate a Riegelsville Borough address. Some 18077 addresses are located in Durham or Springfield Townships. Those properties are subject to their zoning permitting ordinances.
You can verify your correct zoning permitting location through the Bucks County Board of Assessment (www.buckscountyboa.org).
2) What types of permits does the borough issue?
The Riegelsville Borough issues the following permits:
Flood Plain Development Permits
Flood Plain Development permits, which are required for any and all construction work done at a property located within the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Zoning Permits
Zoning permits for residential and commercial properties, which are required for:
- The construction/reconstruction or alteration of the exterior dimensions of an existing structure;
- The construction of a new structure;
- The razing/removal of an existing structure;
- A change in use of a building;
- A change in occupancy of a commercial building.
Re-roofing permits
There is a separate re-roof permit for residential roof repairs and replacements. This permit functions as the appropriate zoning permit for this type of project.
Building permits
Building permits for residential and commercial properties, which are required for:
- Most new construction, additions, structural alterations, or modifications;
- Repairs and renovations involving electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems;
- Decks over 30” high;
- Swimming pools more than 24” deep.
Electrical permits
Electrical permits, which are required for projects that involve new wiring, generators, new electrical panels, or new meter boxes.
3) What types of projects DO NOT require a permit?
Generally, projects involving routine maintenance do NOT require a permit. Examples of routine maintenance include:
- painting (interior and exterior)
- replacing fixtures (interior and exterior)
- replacing appliances, including hot water heaters*
- replacing kitchen cabinets or countertops
- replacing windows and doors within existing frames
- bathroom/kitchen remodeling where walls, electrical wiring, or plumbing are NOT moved
*Replacement of hot water heaters which are located at properties in the flood zone require a building permit.
4) What types of projects DO require a permit?
The following are some examples of projects that do require a permit(s):
- Construction of a shed larger than 1000 sq ft (zoning & building permits)
- Construction of a shed less than 1000 sq ft (zoning permit)
- Installation of a fence higher than 6 feet (zoning & building permits)
- Installation of a fence less than 6 feet (zoning permit)
- Construction of a deck over 30 inches high (zoning & building permits)
- Construction of a deck under 30 inches high (zoning permit)
- Installation of a new roof (zoning permit)
- Installation of solar panels (zoning, building, & electrical permits)
- Upgrading electrical panel (electrical permit)
- Installation of new electrical wiring (electrical permit)
- Installation of a whole home generator (building & electrical permits)
- Installation of new plumbing for a washing machine (building permit)
- Installation of a swimming pool deeper than 24 inches (zoning, building, & electrical permits)
- Installation of new patio and/or sidewalk (zoning permit)
- Retaining wall higher than 4 feet in height (zoning & building permits)
- Retaining wall less than 4 feet in height (zoning permit)
5) How long does it take to have a permit approved?
Building: The zoning officer has 15 business days to review and respond to permit applications for residential properties. The zoning officer has 30 business days to review and respond to permit applications for commercial properties.
Zoning: The zoning officer has 90 days to review and respond to zoning applications for both residential and commercial properties.
Flood plain development: Flood plain development permits are approved by the flood plain administrator. A reasonable expectation is a 60-day response for residential and commercial applications.
6) Does my permit expire?
Zoning permits issued by Riegelsville Borough are valid for six (6) months from the date of payment. Zoning permits may be renewed for an additional six (6) months for no additional fee.
Floodplain development permits are valid for 12 months. Projects requiring floodplain development permits must be completed within 12 months unless an extension is granted by the Floodplain Administrator.
Building and electrical permits issued by Riegelsville Borough can be extended up to five (5) years for no additional fee. Permits cannot be extended longer than five (5) years. A new permit must be obtained if the project is extended beyond five years.
Project work must begin within six (6) months of a permit being issued. The project cannot be abandoned for more than six (6) months.
7) How much does a permit cost?
The fees will depend upon the complexity of the project.
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due at the time of application for all building permits.
Review and escrow fees for flood plain development permits are collected to cover engineering review costs.
- Residential review fee is $150 and escrow fee is $500.
- Commercial review fee is $250 and escrow fee is $500.
Remaining unused escrow funds will be returned at the completion of the project.
For a complete fee schedule, visit: https://riegelsville.org/?page_id=937
8) What if my property is in the flood plain/zone?
BEFORE any zoning, building, or electrical permits can be issued for a project on a property located in the flood plain/zone, the property owner MUST obtain a flood plain development permit.
The flood plain permit application MUST include a flood plain elevation certificate (which is provided by an engineer or a Pennsylvania licensed surveyor) and an appraised value and estimated cost of construction (which can be obtained from a realtor, appraiser, or the Bucks County Board of Assessments).
Flood plain development permits are reviewed and approved by the Flood Plain Administrator (not the zoning officer).
An architectural or engineering plan is required for building permits in the flood plain.
For additional information regarding the flood plain zoning ordinance, please visit: https://riegelsville.org/wp-content/uploads/ZoningOrdinance-Ordinance-229-Flood-Plain-1.pdf.
Approval of a permit for a property in the flood plain may take longer than permits for properties that are not in the flood plain.
Please contact the zoning officer at [email protected] for specific questions and answers regarding flood plain development permits.
9) What happens if I do not obtain a required permit?
If the required permit is not obtained for a project, the following actions may be taken by Riegelsville Borough:
- A stop work order may be issued until the proper permit is obtained.
- A citation may be issued if the property owner fails to comply. A citation can carry fines of up to $1000 per day.
10) How do I obtain a permit application?
All permit applications issued by Riegelsville Borough are available by:
- Download & print here:
- Get a paper copy from the Borough Office or Zoning Office
- Email the Borough Office ([email protected]) or Zoning Officer ([email protected])