Since July 2025 every application is filed online through the township's Residential Applications & Forms page, and the township's policy sheet says an application alone doesn't let work start. Questions go to Engineering and Code Services at 267-536-1000, ext. 4.
Roof and siding replacement
A reroof replaced in kind needs the permit but not construction drawings. Drawings are required for a new roof or any modification to the existing roof.
Ask your roofer to write the proposal as either in-kind replacement or a change in structure, and to say who will update the permit if rotted decking or framing turns up after tear-off. If you suspect damage, have a roofer look rather than climbing up yourself; what a roof inspection should check covers the warning signs.
Fences
The fence application needs a site plan showing property lines, nearby structures and landmarks, and whether you're on a corner lot. Abington's own rules for the finished fence are specific:
- The finished side faces the neighboring property.
- Solid board fences sit 3 inches above the ground so stormwater can flow under them.
- Survey markers must stay visible.
- No fencing inside a township right-of-way or a recorded easement.
The fence permit page doesn't list a height limit, so ask the Code Office what applies to your spot, especially on a corner lot, before you order panels. Don't use the old fence as proof of the property line; if the line is uncertain, hire a licensed surveyor. Before any post holes go in, call PA One Call as described in what to do before digging for a fence post.
Decks
Abington files decks under the additions permit, which asks for more than a sketch of the footprint:
- A plot plan, which may be non-engineered.
- An elevation from the footing to the roof peak.
- A framing plan showing member sizes, spans and spacing.
- A calculation sheet comparing existing and new impervious surface, plus a separate stormwater application if the deck adds impervious coverage.
Ask the contractor who draws the plans, and whether your project needs an architect; the township can require architect-prepared plans for residential work when it asks for them. For an existing deck, describe exactly what stays and what changes, and ask the Code Office whether replacing boards, repairing framing or rebuilding falls under the additions permit. If you're unsure the frame is sound, see when deck joists or posts need a professional inspection.
What the posted fees work out to
These come from the township's residential permit page and fee schedule. Treat them as budgeting numbers and confirm the current charge when you file.
- Roofing and siding: scaled to job cost, $180 for a $4,001 to $5,000 job plus $35 for each additional $1,000 or fraction. A $12,000 reroof works out to $425.
- Fence: $0.30 per linear foot, so 100 feet is $30.
- Deck (additions): $40 per 100 square feet or fraction, plus a $50 review fee and $4.50 state fee. A 240-square-foot deck comes to $174.50.
Ask your contractor to show township fees separately from any charge for drawings or for handling the permit.
Paperwork a contractor must provide
When a contractor does the work, Abington wants a signed contract that lists the total value of materials and labor uploaded with the application, plus a current certificate of liability and workers' compensation insurance naming Abington Township as additional insured. If anyone other than the owner files, a signed Property Owner Authorization Form is required. Contractors doing $5,000 or more a year of home improvement must also be registered with the Pennsylvania Attorney General.
The township's policy sheet mentions verbal permission to start roofing, siding and fencing before the permit issues. Under online filing, don't rely on that unless the Code Office tells you so directly.
Scheduling inspections
Permit inspections are booked inside the permit in the township's OpenGov portal: sign in, open the permit number, go to the Inspection step and choose Schedule an Inspection. Give at least 48 business hours' notice, and treat the slot as unconfirmed until the portal marks it confirmed, per the township's inspection scheduling page. Keep the issued permit, approved plans and inspection results together, and post the permit where it's visible from the street while work is underway, as the policy sheet requires.
Neighboring towns set their own rules, so don't assume a friend's permit-free fence in another township applies to you; why permit rules differ town to town explains why.