Commercial Business Occupancy Permit Application

Zoning Use & Certificate of Occupancy – PA MPC (2022) & 2021 IBC

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Today's Date*

Municipality*

County*

1. Applicant Information

Applicant Name*

First Name Last Name

Mailing Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Cell Phone*

E-mail Address*

Is the Owner the Applicant?*

Yes

If No, list the property owner's name, address, and phone below.

Property Owner Name*

Property Owner Phone*

Property Owner Address*

Lease or owner authorization required. Because the applicant is not the owner, include a copy of the lease, or written authorization from the property owner, with your submittal.

2. Business Information

Business Name

Business Phone / E-mail

Description of Business Activity

Employees (max. per shift)

Hours / Days of Operation

Anticipated Opening Date

3. Property Information

Property Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

0 of 10 max characters

Parcel / PIN Number

Lot No. / Subdivision

Zoning District

Is the Building in a Floodplain?

Yes

Is the Building in a Floodway?

Yes

4. Use & Occupancy

Most Recent Use of the Building / Space

Commercial

Mixed

Residential

Industrial

Vacant

Other

Other Most Recent Use

Planned Use of the Building / Space

Commercial

Mixed

Residential

Industrial

Other

Other Planned Use

Proposed Occupancy Group (2021 IBC Chapter 3), if known

A – Assembly

B – Business

E – Educational

F – Factory

H – High-Hazard

I – Institutional

M – Mercantile

R – Residential

S – Storage

U – Utility

Check all that apply.

Zoning Status of Proposed Use

Permitted by Right

Special Exception

Conditional Use

Variance

Nonconforming Use

Unknown

Zoning approval required first. Special exceptions are decided by the Zoning Hearing Board (§912.1); conditional uses by the governing body (§913.2); variances by the Zoning Hearing Board (§910.2). These approvals must be obtained before an occupancy permit is issued. Include the zoning approval decision with your submittal.

Work Needed for the Building Use

Mechanical

Electrical

Plumbing

Fire Protection

Accessibility

None

Other

Check all that apply.

Other Work Needed

Separate building permit required. Any construction, alteration, or trade work requires a separate building permit.

Change of Use / Occupancy?

Yes

Automatic Sprinkler System?

Yes

Fire Alarm System?

Yes

Hazardous Materials Stored?

Yes

Change of occupancy. A change of occupancy in an existing building is reviewed under the 2021 International Existing Building Code and may require upgrades to fire protection, egress, and accessibility.

Hazardous materials. Include a list of hazardous materials with Safety Data Sheets with your submittal.

Floor Area of Space (sq. ft.)

Total Building Area (sq. ft.)

Stories Above Grade

Residential Units (if any)

Estimated Occupant Load

Construction Type (IA–VB), if known

Parking Spaces Provided

New Signage Planned?

Yes

Separate sign permit required. New signs require a separate sign permit.

5. Use & Occupancy Regulations

Zoning – PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC, February 2022):

The zoning officer may not permit any use or change of use that does not conform to the zoning ordinance (MPC §614).
Uses listed as special exceptions are decided by the Zoning Hearing Board (§912.1); conditional uses by the governing body (§913.2); variances by the Zoning Hearing Board (§910.2). These approvals must be obtained before an occupancy permit is issued.
Nonconforming uses may be identified and registered by the zoning officer (§613), and any use in violation of the zoning ordinance is subject to enforcement (§617).

Building – 2021 International Building Code (PA UCC):

A building or space may not be used or occupied, and its use or occupancy may not be changed, until the building official issues a Certificate of Occupancy (IBC §111.1).
The Certificate of Occupancy states the occupancy group (Chapter 3), type of construction (Chapter 6), design occupant load, and whether an automatic sprinkler system is provided and required (IBC §111.2).
A change of occupancy in an existing building is reviewed under the 2021 International Existing Building Code and may require upgrades to fire protection, egress, and accessibility.
Any construction, alteration, or trade work requires a separate building permit, and new signs require a separate sign permit.

6. Submittal Checklist

Check Included or N/A for each item.

Floor plan of the space showing room uses, dimensions, exits, and restrooms

Included

N/A

Site plan showing parking, access, and loading areas (if required by zoning)

Included

N/A

Written description of business operations

Included

N/A

List of hazardous materials with Safety Data Sheets (if any are stored or used)

Included

N/A

Fire protection information: sprinkler, fire alarm, and extinguisher locations

Included

N/A

Accessibility information: accessible entrance, route, and restrooms

Included

N/A

Copy of the lease, or written authorization from the property owner

Included

N/A

Zoning approval decision (special exception, conditional use, or variance), if required

Included

N/A

Copy of the existing Certificate of Occupancy (if available)

Included

N/A

HARB approval for exterior changes (if property is in a Historic District)

Included

N/A

7. General Requirements

Plans and supporting documents must be mailed, emailed (info@codesassessmentpros.com), or dropped off at our office.

All drawings must be neatly drawn with clean, crisp lettering and must remain legible after reduction for printing. Photographs (including digital) must be in focus and correctly exposed.

Although some checklist items may not apply to every project, all applicants are asked to work through the entire checklist. If an item is not necessary, mark it N/A (“not applicable”). This greatly speeds review and approval.

The building or space may not be occupied until an occupancy permit / Certificate of Occupancy is issued. All required fees must be paid before occupancy.

Failure to provide all information will result in the application being deemed incomplete, returned to the applicant and not reviewed. Plan review time will start with a completed application submittal.

Floor Plan / Site Sketch

Sketch the floor plan of the space to be occupied, showing room uses, dimensions, exits, and restrooms. Attach a separate site plan showing parking and access if required. Draw your sketch with north at the top of the page.

Upload Floor Plan / Site Sketch

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, jpeg, png, tif, tiff, doc, docx, Max. file size: 1 GB, Max. files: 10.

Upload your floor plan sketch, plus a separate site plan showing parking and access if required. Reminder: plans and supporting documents must be mailed, emailed (info@codesassessmentpros.com), or dropped off at our office.

Invoice & Payment

Where should we send the invoice?*

Enter the name and the mailing address or email address the invoice should go to. Payment can be made by check (mailed or dropped off at our office) or by card.

8. Applicant Certification

Certification

I have read and agree to the certification statement below.

I certify that I am the owner of record of the property, or that the proposed work is authorized by the owner and I am authorized to make this application as the owner’s agent. The information provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I agree to conform to all applicable laws of this jurisdiction and to allow the code official or authorized representative to enter the areas covered by this permit at any reasonable hour to enforce the code(s).

Applicant Signature

Type your full legal name to sign this application electronically.

Date

Printed Name

Title / Relationship to Owner