Permits & Approvals
Generally in Pennsylvania, municipalities (townships and boroughs) have land development jurisdiction. This is the state’s municipal planning and development guide, which grants counties of certain classes the authority to perform planning service for any municipality that requests it. In Armstrong County, the majority of municipalities have contracted with Bureau Veritas for these services. In Indiana County, the County’s Office of Planning and Development facilitates permitting and approvals for most townships and boroughs.
Armstrong County
Permitting is done at the municipal level, and the entire process is handled by a third-party, Bureau Veritas, for most municipalities. Below is the process for the majority of the townships/boroughs in Armstrong County.
Application and Approval Process
Prior approval must be signed off on by each municipality the project will be in. Plans and the permit application are signed off on by Rod Smay of Bureau Veritas. Fees vary by municipality.
1. Complete a Municipal Approval form - submit the completed form to each Township or Borough the proposed project will be in.
2. Complete a Commercial Plan Submittal and Checklist
3. Submit the Plan and Permit Application, and municipal approval(s) to Rod Smay at Bureau Veritas.
Commercial Plan Submittal and Checklist
Indiana County
The Indiana County Office of Planning & Development (ICOPD) issues building permits in 28 of the 36 municipalities in the county. The County is considering the adoption of a Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO), but there is no immediate or impending change to the current process. The current ordinance covers only subdivisions, not land use.
The proposed ordinance and process would classify a solar farm project as Class V, Group B. Specifically, Land Development without Building: transportation and utilities. The following is the proposed process and timeline from the Draft SALDO.
1. Attend Voluntary Pre-Application Conference – submit Sketch Plan
2. Submit Preliminary Plan Application Form & fee to ICOPD. Include all required attachments.
The completeness review will be conducted and the Applicant notified of status within 14 days after receipt of application checklist.
If it is deemed complete, file the application with the Planning Commission at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
The Planning Commission establishes the Review Period and the applicant is informed of the requirements and calendar for Review and public vote on the Application.
3. The Planning Commission votes on the Preliminary Plan Application at a regular scheduled monthly public meeting of the Commission no later than 90 days after the public meeting at which the completed Preliminary Application was filed.
The Applicant will be informed of the decision in writing, no later than 15 days after the date the decision was made.
4. Submit Final Plan Application–must take place within 5 years of the filing of the Preliminary Application.
Completeness review will be conducted and applicant informed within 14 days of receipt of application.
Application may be filed with the Planning Commission at the next scheduled meeting if complete.
Final Review by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission establishes the Review Period and the applicant is informed of the requirements and calendar for Review and public vote on the Application.
5. The Planning Commission votes on the Final Plan Application at a regular scheduled monthly public meeting of the Commission no later than 90 days after the public meeting at which the completed Preliminary Application was filed.
The Applicant will be informed of the decision in writing, no later than 15 days after the date the decision was made.
6. The Applicant must file the approved Application in accordance with MPC Section 513, and must file all required documents with the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Indiana County, and with any other agencies or bodies that have a legal interest in the approved Application.
*Copies of the plan will be distributed to neighboring municipalities within two hundred feet to within one mile of the site, in addition to the municipality in which the site is located, if the proposed development is expected to generate one hundred or more peak hour trips..
Decision-Makers
Armstrong County
The sole approval is made by Rod Smay of Bureau Veritas. Mr. Smay is responsible for all commercial permits in Armstrong County. There is no county-level application or governmental approval body.
Rod Smay
Commercial Permits
Bureau Veritas
814-849-2448
Indiana County
Indiana County Planning Commissioners
Ten-member decision-making body whose members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners
Laurie LaFontaine
Ross Bricklemyer
Joe Trimarchi
Thomas D. Rivosecchi
Jeffrey Cable
Josephine Cunningham
Dr. Jerry Pickering
William Darr
John Somonick
Barbara Peace
