Chester Heights reminder: permits are required

By Kenn Stark, DCNN Correspondent

All municipalities generate revenue by issuing a variety of permits. The purpose of home improvement permitting is not to create a revenue stream, however, but to ensure that reputable and reliable contractors are doing the work.

Chester Heights Borough Council President Michael Pierce recently noted that many home improvement projects are being done within the borough without permits, putting the property owners at risk. The lack of a permit has often been reported by a neighbor, he said.

When a permit is issued through the borough office, the homeowner can be assured that their house and property, and, in some cases, their neighbors property as well, is in the hands of a certified professional.

When there is construction work, other than window replacement, going on, a permit does need to be obtained, Pierce stated. Its for the protection of the residents and the owner of the property, as well as the borough as a whole, so we will continue to monitor that.

Small do-it-yourself projects and cosmetic repairs do not warrant a permit, but permits are required for major home improvements, such as roof or siding replacement and building a deck, an addition, or retaining wall.

Whether or not a permit is required is not determined by the cost of the project, but by the need for safety and expertise, Pierce noted.

A number of fly-by-night contractors show up and do a lot of quick talking, and we want to make sure that those individuals have the proper credentials and have obtained a building permit from the borough, stated Pierce. Our main concern is that the job is being done properly.

Unfortunately, if unpermitted home improvements later prove to be shoddy, faulty, or even dangerous, there is little that can be done by a property owner to recover their losses, Pierce added.

If a Chester Heights resident is unsure if a permit is required for a pending improvement project, they should call the borough office at 610-459-3400.

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Chester Heights reminder: permits are required