Permit & code guide
Permit Office Directory: Mercer County NJ and Bucks County PA
In one paragraph
Reviewed · Published by Royal Home Renovations — NJ HIC 13VH12631000, PA HIC PA184493. We hold registrations in both states and work both sides of the Delaware, which is why this comparison exists.
How to use this directory
Permits are municipal. Neither Mercer County nor Bucks County issues building permits — every township, borough and city runs its own construction or code office. Two mistakes account for most wasted calls in this service area: contacting the county instead of the municipality, and contacting the wrong municipality because the mailing address does not match the jurisdiction. A Langhorne mailing address usually means Middletown Township. Bordentown City and Bordentown Township are separate municipalities with separate offices. Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough and Pennington Borough are three different jurisdictions.
Before you call, check whether you need them at all
New Jersey — Mercer & Burlington County
| Municipality | Permit office | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Bordentown City and TownshipBurlington County | Bordentown City / Bordentown Township Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Burlington CityBurlington County | Burlington City Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Borough of CarlstadtBergen County | Borough of Carlstadt Construction Department | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Denville TownshipMorris County | Denville Township Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| East Windsor TownshipMercer County | East Windsor Township Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| City of EnglewoodBergen County | City of Englewood Construction Department | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Ewing TownshipMercer County | Ewing Township Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Borough of HaddonfieldCamden County | Borough of Haddonfield Construction Office and Historic Preservation Commission | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Hamilton TownshipMercer County | Hamilton Township Division of InspectionsOnline portal | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Hillsborough TownshipSomerset County | Hillsborough Township Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Hopewell Township and PenningtonMercer County | Hopewell Township Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| City of Jersey CityHudson County | Jersey City Division of Construction Code | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Lawrence TownshipMercer County | Lawrence Township Construction Office2207 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrence Township, NJ | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Marlton, Evesham TownshipBurlington County | Evesham Township Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Borough of Midland ParkBergen County | Borough of Midland Park Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| City of PassaicPassaic County | City of Passaic Construction Code Enforcement | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Municipality of PrincetonMercer County | Princeton Building Department400 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| Robbinsville TownshipMercer County | Robbinsville Township Construction Department | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| City of TrentonMercer County | City of Trenton Division of Technical Services609-989-3550 | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
| West Windsor TownshipMercer County | West Windsor Township Construction Office | Roof covering, siding, windows/doors, flooring, cabinets and like-for-like fixture swaps on 1–2 family homes: no permit (N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.7). |
Pennsylvania — Bucks County
| Municipality | Permit office | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Bensalem TownshipBucks County | Bensalem Township Building & Planning215-633-3644 | Permit generally required for full re-roof and major siding. Set locally under the PA UCC — confirm with this office. |
| Langhorne Borough and Middletown TownshipBucks County | Middletown Township Building & Zoning Department | Permit generally required for full re-roof and major siding. Set locally under the PA UCC — confirm with this office. |
| Levittown (Bristol Township)Bucks County | Bristol Township Permits & Licenses | Permit generally required for full re-roof and major siding. Set locally under the PA UCC — confirm with this office. |
| Morrisville BoroughBucks County | Morrisville Borough Code Enforcement | Permit generally required for full re-roof and major siding. Set locally under the PA UCC — confirm with this office. |
| Newtown Township and BoroughBucks County | Newtown Township Code Enforcement, Zoning & Planning Department | Permit generally required for full re-roof and major siding. Set locally under the PA UCC — confirm with this office. |
| Yardley Borough and Lower MakefieldBucks County | Yardley Borough / Lower Makefield Township Codes Department | Permit generally required for full re-roof and major siding. Set locally under the PA UCC — confirm with this office. |
Office names and contact details are listed only where we have verified them against the municipality's own published information. Where a link is absent, contact the municipality directly — we would rather list nothing than list a number that sends you to the wrong place.
What to have ready when you do apply
- The property address and block and lot number, which appears on your tax bill.
- A written scope of work — what is being replaced, moved, or added.
- Contractor registration number. New Jersey registrations carry the 13VH prefix; Pennsylvania registrations carry the PA prefix.
- Contractor certificate of insurance.
- Drawings, for anything involving structural change or plan review. New construction and many renovations require architectural or engineering plans reviewed by building, electrical, fire and plumbing personnel before a permit issues.
- Realistic expectations on timing. Single-trade permits often issue within 48 hours; larger cities including Trenton commonly run 5 to 15 business days on plan review.
Frequently asked
Does Mercer County issue building permits?
No. Building permits in New Jersey are issued by municipal construction offices. Mercer County does not issue them — you apply to Hamilton Township, Trenton, Princeton, Ewing, Lawrence, or whichever municipality your property sits in.
Does Bucks County issue building permits?
No. Each township and borough issues its own permits under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. Bristol Township, Bensalem, Newtown Township, Morrisville Borough and Yardley Borough all administer separately.
How long do permits take in Trenton?
Single trade permits are generally issued within 48 hours. As one of New Jersey's larger cities, Trenton's plan-review projects commonly take 5 to 15 business days. Permit status can be checked at 609-989-3550.
Can I apply for a Hamilton Township permit online?
Yes. Hamilton Township's SDL Portal accepts permit submissions and inspection requests and provides property history access 24 hours a day.
My mailing address says Langhorne — which office do I use?
Most Langhorne mailing addresses fall within Middletown Township, which issues permits through its Building & Zoning Department. Langhorne Borough is small and separate. Confirm your jurisdiction before applying.
Licensed in both states — and you can check
Contractor registration is public and free to verify in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We would rather you look ours up than take our word for it.
- New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor: 13VH12631000 Verify at NJ Division of Consumer Affairs →
- Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HICPA): PA184493 Verify at PA Office of Attorney General →
This guide summarises publicly available code provisions and municipal requirements as of the review date above and is provided for general information. Code interpretation is the responsibility of the local construction official, and municipal requirements change. Confirm your specific project with your municipality before relying on any of it.