Permits are required for the following activities
Sewage
A sewage (Septic System or Privey) permit is required before any building can be placed on a piece of property. And yes, this includes sheds, both those constructed elsewhere and delivered to the property or those that are built in place on the property. A permit is also required for any mobile structure such as a camper, fifth wheeler, RV, etc. that is left on the property for more than fourteen days.Our Sewage Enforcement Agency is Clarion County Sewage Association. They may be reached at Area Code 814 226-4732. For your convenience, arrangements may be made for recreational cabin/hunting camp owners to visit the office in Clarion on a Saturday to fill out the necessary application and to be given permiting information. Rick is currently a member of the association board of directors and I am a past member of the board and we may be able to supply you with information during off hours. Our phone numbers are listed at the bottom of the Home Page.
Building/Demolition Permits
Building
Our Building Ordinance requires that a Building Permit be obtained for any development (building) that increases the value of the property.
There are two different types of building permits. One type covers residential and commercial construction and one covers recreational/camp construction.
1. Residential and commercial construction falls under the State wide Uniform Construction Code (UCC). This type of permit requires inspections at different stages of construction. Our current enforcement agency for this type of construction is Guardian Inspection Services. You may contact them directly by calling toll free 1-888-676-5522. You may also receive information on this type of permit by contacting the Forest County Council of Government's (COG) office at 814 755-3502. This program is co-ordinated by the COG. Again, I am the COG Chairman and may be able to help you with information during off hours.
2. Camp and recreational structures, or additions to those structures, require a Municipal Permit. The current fee for this permit is $25.00. The application may be obtained at the township office or, if it is more convenient for you, we can mail it to you. We do not tell you what to build, where to build it or how to build it. There is a requirement to have smoke alarms, carbonmonoxide detectors and fire extinguishers in the building with this permit and it must be inspected by our Code Enforcement Officer when it is complete. One note of caution, with this type of permit you will be required to submit a Recreational Cabin Affidavit stating that the structure will never be used as a residence. This information, by law, must be listed on the deed and the sales agreement if the property is ever sold. In other words, if there is any possibility that you may want to retire and use this structure as your home or sell it to someone who intends to use it as a home, it would be much better to obtain a UCC permit. Again, if you have any questions ask the township secretary when you get the permit or give me a call and I will try to gve you guidance.
Buildings along the river in the Flood Plain
Buildings along the river in the Flood Plain, as determined by FEMA Flood Hazard Boundary Maps, both residential and cabin structures, must be built in accordance with National Flood Insurance Program requirements. These maps and requirements are maintained at the township office and may be reviewed by request. Again, I am fairly knowledgeable on the requirements and will try to help you at any time.
Demolition Permits
Demolition of a structure or removal of a Mobile/Modular home requires a Demolition Permit. This permit ensures that all taxes are paid prior to removal of a mobile home,that the site is left in a safe condition as described in our Nuisance Ordinance, and that your tax assessment is adjusted to show that the structure is no longer on the property.
Heavy Vehicle Permit
All of the township roads have had an engineering study and are posted with a 10 ton weight limit. Any activity involving more than 1-3 trips a year for delivery of such items as driveway stone/gravel, cord wood or building material which are considered "Local Deliveries" requires a Heavy Vehicle Permit. All logging activity exceeding ten tons including vehicle, trailer and load requires a permit. Generally delivery of a mobile home/modular home and the delivery vehicle will weigh more than 10 tons and requires a permit. Movement of land clearing equipment requires a permit. If there is any question in your mind please contact us for information. If no contact is made and you are observered in activity of this type you will be fined, you will be required to purchase a permit even though you have completed your task and you will be liable for the cost of repairing any damage to the road.
Temporary Vehicle Permit
Any structure brought to the property on wheels and/or which requires a state registration and license plate is covered under this ordinance.If the structure, be it a camper, travel trailer, mobile home, old bus, etc. does not have a current license plate/registration tag and it does not appear on the tax assessment for the property, it must have a Temporary Vehicle Permit. It is also required to have a Sewage Permit. This ordinance was enacted to discourage the practice of pulling/driving a structure of this type onto a piece of property and ,after years of use or non use, having it rust into the ground along with its fuel and other fluids.
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