Zoning/Codes Enforcement

Zoning

Zoning is the process of dividing, maintaining, and regulating uses (residential, commercial, industrial, open space, etc.) on land in a municipality. The township's Zoning Ordinances designate this process into a set of laws that denote proper procedures for developing land in any zoning district.

If you feel a property is in violation of our ordinances, please call the township at (570) 646-1212 or fill out the "Contact Us" footer at the bottom of this page. Please note, due to the nature of certain complaints, the township may contact the complainant in the future for litigation purposes. Because of this, we cannot keep you informed regarding the progress of an investigation.

International Property Maintenance Code

The International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) regulates minimum maintenance requirements for existing buildings and lots. The IPMC establishes minimum maintenance standards for basic equipment, light, ventilation, heating, and fire safety. It also regulates uncontrolled trash, unregistered vehicles, and sanitation.

If you feel a property is in violation of the IPMC, please call the township at (570) 646-1212 or fill out the "Contact Us" footer at the bottom of this page. Please note, due to the nature of certain complaints, the township may contact the complainant in the future for litigation purposes. Because of this, we cannot keep you informed regarding the progress of an investigation.

Building Code

The International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and Uniform Construction Code (UCC), all regulate construction procedures. They outline procedures related to fire safety, electrical work, plumbing, and more. Tobyhanna Township uses a third-party agency, Bureau Veritas, for building code enforcement. If you have any questions about building codes, Bureau Veritas is available at:

Bureau Veritas
105 Government Center Way, Suite 101
Pocono Pines, PA 18350
Phone: (570) 894-2801
Fax: (570) 894-2986

If you feel a property is in violation of the IBC, IRC, and/or UCC, please call the township at (570) 646-1212 or fill out the "Contact Us" footer at the bottom of this page. Please note, due to the nature of certain complaints, the township may contact the complainant in the future for litigation purposes. Because of this, we cannot keep you informed regarding the progress of a situation.

Permits

Tobyhanna Township requires permits for actions like building, razing, burning brush, yard sales, installing an automatic alarm, and many more to ensure the change complies with our laws. Check out our permits page (link in the sidebar) for a full listing of our permits. If you are doing work in the township, please call us at (570) 646-1212 for guidance on proper permits required. Below are a few common permits and why they're required:

Alarm Permit

The majority of emergency alarms that Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department and emergency personnel respond to are false. False alarms are nuisances that result in a waste of municipal manpower, and create the potential for serious injury to police officers, fire department personnel, and other emergency personnel responding to a false alarm. The township requires the registration of alarms to mitigate the cost of responding to false alarms, and so emergency personnel have updated contact information for the owner of the alarm system.

Burn Permit

Tobyhanna Township is protected by two volunteer fire companies: Pocono Summit Volunteer Fire Company and Tobyhanna Township Volunteer Fire Company. Thus, the township has shaped its outdoor burning regulations to mitigate the calls firefighters receive during normal work hours. You will need a permit if the burn occurs Monday - Friday from 8AM - 4PM. You will not need a permit if the burn occurs Monday - Friday from 4PM - 9PM, and Saturday from 8AM - 9PM. Burning on Sunday is prohibited.

Building Permit

Building permits are similar to zoning permits, but tend to regulate internal work done on a structure. Some items you need a permit for include: reroofing, sheds over 200 sq. ft., some decks, electrical, and plumbing work. If you have any questions about building permits, contact Bureau Veritas at:

Bureau Veritas
105 Government Center Way, Suite 101
Pocono Pines, PA 18350
Phone: (570) 894-2801
Fax: (570) 894-2986


Sign Permit

Businesses need permits to put up signs, even if the sign is only being refaced. Businesses that have special events are allowed a banner for up to 50 days (70 if the business just opened). Banner days cost $1.00 per day.

Please note that feather flags (a/k/a harpoon and banana flags) are illegal in our township.

Zoning Permit

Tobyhanna Township is a zoned community, so permits are required for doing work on your house/accessory structures. Some common work that requires a permit is installing a shed, repairing a deck, and building an addition.

Yard Sale Permit

Tobyhanna Township requires Yard Sale Permits to help moderate the number of sales in a residential area. Each property may have two yard sales a year.

If you are concerned someone is doing work without the proper permits, please call the township at (570) 646-1212 or fill out the "Contact Us" footer at the bottom of this page. Please note, due to the nature of certain complaints, the township may contact the complainant in the future for litigation purposes. Because of this, we cannot keep you informed regarding the progress of a situation.

Floodplain Management

Floodplain Management is a program comprised of corrective and preventative measures to reduce flood damage. The program consists of zoning, building, subdivision, and special ordinances to accomplish its goal. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has minimum standards and best practices for creating safer communities that are more resilient to flooding.

Helpful Sites & Documents

FEMA's Flood Map Service Center

Flood Hazard Mapping Fact Sheet

Floodplain Ordinance

National Flood Insurance Program

Lake Naomi Letters of Map Change