Zip codes 17042 and 17046
Kitchen Remodeling in Lebanon City
Remodeling a kitchen in the city of Lebanon usually means working with an older rowhome: narrow rooms, brick walls and wiring from another era. Call now to talk to a local kitchen remodeler about your house. There's no form to fill out.
The houses behind Lebanon kitchens
Lebanon is the county seat and a small city of about 26,800 people. It was laid out in 1753 and became a city in 1885, and a lot of its housing stock reflects that long history. Census-based profiles report that roughly 40% of homes were built in 1939 or earlier, while another data set puts it nearer 45%. Either way, it's among the older housing you'll find anywhere in the country.
Walk the downtown blocks and you'll see late 1800s and early 1900s rowhomes sharing walls with their neighbors. A typical kitchen in one of those homes sits at the back of the house. It has one or two doors, a window facing a yard or alley, and a shape that's long and narrow. That's often the right starting point for a small kitchen plan.
Farther out from the center, the housing changes. Bordering townships such as North Lebanon, South Lebanon and West Lebanon tend to mix in later houses, where a kitchen may be squarer, closed off from the dining room and open to changes a rowhome can't take.
Call now to talk to a local kitchen remodeler: (844) 434-2163
City of Lebanon permits
Inside city limits, the Building and Zoning Division at 735 Cumberland Street handles permits, and you can reach it at 717-639-2800. The city works with two outside inspection companies, Commonwealth Code Inspection Services and ABI Inspection Services, for construction code inspections.
Two city rules are worth knowing before anyone starts. Home improvement contractors must register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General and give the city their registration number and a certificate of insurance. Permits also have to be posted where the inspector can reach them. If a contractor tells you permits aren't necessary for a job that moves walls, wiring or plumbing, check with the city yourself.
Do you own a rental in the city? Lebanon runs a rental licensing and inspection program, so check the current requirements with the same office before you plan work between tenants.
If your address says Lebanon but you live in one of the surrounding townships, your permit office may be different. The Lebanon County Planning Department handles code enforcement under contract for several municipalities, including North Lebanon and South Lebanon townships. Call 717-228-4444 to confirm who covers your property.
What rowhome kitchens run into
- Shared walls. Cutting into a party wall isn't always an option, and noise carries to your neighbor, so talk through what the work will involve.
- Venting. Range hoods need a path outside. On a shared wall, that may mean moving the range or running a duct through a soffit.
- Old electrical. Many older houses were never wired for a modern kitchen's appliances, so a panel upgrade can land on the list.
- Lead paint. Homes from before 1950 are more likely to contain it, which affects how demolition is done.
- Getting materials in. Tight halls, stoops and rear alleys shape deliveries, especially for long counters.
- Parking. A dumpster on a narrow street can need planning, so ask who handles it.
Four seasons on a brick wall
Lebanon averages about 29°F in January and 74°F in July. Old brick and plaster walls feel cold in winter, and a sink on an outside wall needs its water lines protected. Summer humidity is hard on cabinets near an unvented stove. Those two facts favor a good hood, some insulation where a wall is opened up, and finishes that tolerate a little movement. There's more on this on the home page.
Keeping the character
Rowhomes often come with details worth saving: deep window trim, old doors, wood floors under layers of sheet flooring, and sometimes brick that can be left exposed. A remodel doesn't have to erase them. If you like a detail, say so early, since it's easier to plan around than to put back. Painted shaker cabinets, plain tile and wood counters look at home in these rooms and can suit a modest budget, too.
What to say when you call
Mention your street or neighborhood, roughly when the house was built, and whether the kitchen has been changed before. Say whether you live there or rent it out. Ask how the remodeler handles permits in the city and what they'd want to see first. Those few minutes on the phone will tell you plenty about who you're talking to.
In 17042 or 17046?Call now to talk through your Lebanon kitchen, and ask about a free estimate.
Call Now (844) 434-2163Lebanon kitchen questions
Do I need a permit for a kitchen remodel in the City of Lebanon?
It depends on the scope. Work on walls, wiring or plumbing generally needs review, while cosmetic work often doesn't. Call Building and Zoning at 717-639-2800 to confirm for your project.
What does the city require from a contractor?
The city says home improvement contractors must register with the Pennsylvania Attorney General and provide a certificate of insurance and their registration number. Ask your contractor for both up front.
Can I keep the exposed brick in my rowhome kitchen?
Often, yes, if the wall is sound. Old brick can shed dust, so ask about sealing it. Near a sink or stove, it may need a protective surface for easy cleaning.
I live in North Lebanon Township. Is that covered?
If your zip is 17042 or 17046, yes. Permits may run through a different office than the city, so check with the Lebanon County Planning Department at 717-228-4444.
Have a question about your kitchen? Call (844) 434-2163