13,618 recent building permits filed in Pennsylvania.
13,618 permits
Existing (alteration/addition)
Minor alteration
Interior alterations to two-story wood framed single-family for purpose of converting integral two-car garage into living (conditioned) and storage space (unconditioned).
Existing (alteration/addition)
Existing (alteration/addition)
Install 112 solar panels and associated hardware
New illuminated flush wall sign (3'-9" in diameter)
City Funded Demolition 5. Lot shall be graded to match adjacent lots, and so that water is diverted away from neighboring structures. 6. Fence off entire length of parcel to pedestrian traffic using 6...
Modifications to sprinkler system as part of interior alterations for fit-out of basement and 1st floor bar and lounge.
New Turnkey HVAC System for New Construction Home
Add on a/c
Minor alteration
Add mini-split sytems to the home
200 amp service and rewire
New partitions, doors, and glazed storefront to create secured entry vestibule.
Non-illuminated individual letter sign (12'-9" x 3'-5")
Replacement of structural roof framing and roofing for alterations to an existing garage. work includes selective demolition, stuctural work, new roofing and siding
Interior alterations to electrical system, lighting & controls for reconfiguration of office tenant (bda 2026-01771)
Existing (alteration/addition)
City Funded Demolition 1. Remove all garbage and debris, vegetation, concrete slabs, accessory structures, steps and fencing from lot. 2. Contract term 60 days from award date. 3. ACHD asbestos applic...
Pennsylvania has 13,108 building permits on file right now. In just the last 30 days, contractors filed 4,474 new permits across the state. That's solid construction activity if you know where to look. Philadelphia dominates the market with 11,017 permits, followed by Pittsburgh at 2,091. Most of the work breaks down into plumbing (3,355 permits), electrical (2,491 permits), renovation (2,389 permits), HVAC (1,541 permits), and other trades (1,778 permits). If you work in any of these areas, there's real demand happening. The contractors winning right now use permit data to find jobs before competitors do. When a permit gets filed, it means a property owner already committed to work. That's a qualified lead. Dig into Pennsylvania's permit database, filter by your trade and the cities you service, and contact property owners while the project is still fresh.
Search the Pennsylvania permit database by your trade (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, etc.) and filter by the cities where you work. Each permit record shows the property address, owner contact info, and project type. Sort by filing date to find the newest permits. Focus on permits filed in the last 30 days since those represent active projects. Many contractors contact property owners within 48 hours of permit filing, before other bidders call.
Philadelphia leads by a wide margin with 11,017 permits on file. Pittsburgh is second with 2,091 permits. These two cities represent the bulk of construction activity in the state. If you service Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, you have access to the most opportunities. Smaller cities and suburban areas also have steady permit activity, so check your local market to identify secondary opportunities in your service area.
Plumbing is the most common permit type with 3,355 filings, followed by electrical with 2,491. Renovation permits total 2,389, HVAC comes in at 1,541, and other trades account for 1,778 permits. If you're a plumber or electrician, you're in high-demand categories. If you do HVAC, roofing, or general contracting, filter the database for those specific permit types to find jobs that match your services.