When do I need a Building Permit?
Any major remodeling, addition, fence, sidewalk, driveway, swimming pool or shed requires either a building permit or a zoning permit. New siding, painting, new shingles, new doors or windows do not require a permit.
How do I get a Building Permit?
Contact the Borough Office. The Borough Building is open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM until 4:00PM. The phone Number is 814-342-3440. We will take the information and put you in contact with Guardian Inspection Services who will handle the actual building permit. The zoning permit can be handled by the Borough staff.
Am I permitted to cut down my Tree?
To remove a tree growing between the street and the sidewalk a permit is required. The tree must be replaced either at that location or somewhere else on Borough property or right-of-way. If you don't want the tree in front of your property and provide the tree, the Borough Crew will plant it some where else on Borough Property. The permit can be obtained from the Borough Office.
What can be taken to the Project-70 Yard Waste Recycling Center?
The Borough's Recycling Center accepts grass, leaves, garden waste, sawdust and wood chips in one pile where it is composted. The compost is then available to Borough Residents. Logs suitable for firewood are stockpiled at the site for pickup by residents. Brush is stockpiled at the third area of the site for processing into wood mulch. Since the site is monitored by DEP we cannot accept dirt, rocks, building debris, RR ties, bricks, concrete or garbage. Due to illegal dumping the site is being monitored by Police and Borough Officials. The Borough Street crew is doing weekly pickups on Fridays, as time permits.
Do I need a permit to demolish a building?
A permit is needed from Philipsburg Borough prior to the demolition of any building. There also are state and federal notification requirements that must be followed prior to any demolition. DEP can be contacted (570) 327-3745.
Why do we need so many Ordinance Officers?
The Borough has numerous ordinances that need enforced to keep Philipsburg clean and save. Enforcing rules against illegal parking is only one of their areas of responsibility. Many motorists seem to think that a special event such as an auction, part or sporting event should over ride the enforcement of parking regulations. However, without enforcement, parking has gotten so bad that Fire Equipment would not be able to access sites of emergencies. Another area of responsibility is public safety. We receive numerous complaints of properties that are unsafe or a nuisance to the neighbors, apartments with bare electrical wires, no heat, broken windows, no smoke detectors. We also receive complaints of excessive noise, animal waste not being removed, weeks accumulation of garbage with the resulting stench and rats. Also the Ordinance Officers are involved in assisting the pubic in obtaining building permits.