City Home Rules

Selling a house in New Hope Borough, PA: what the city requires

Bucks County, Pennsylvania · Last checked November 2026

Required at sale

New Hope Borough requires a re-occupancy U&O plus zoning review before settlement. Published fee: $100 + $100. Skipping the process doubles the fees. $125 expedited inside 24 hours.

What New Hope Borough requires

Re-occupancy U&O + zoning review

Who does it
Municipal code office. The seller applies.
Cost
$100 + $100

Housing in New Hope Borough

Median year homes were built
1977
Median home value
$716,200
Owner-occupied homes
949 of 1,332 (71%)
Total housing units
1,497

Homes here are typically from 1977 or later, so inspections tend to focus on safety items like smoke and CO alarms, GFCI outlets and handrails.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for New Hope borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Need this done in New Hope Borough?

Get quotes from a local contractor for U&O repairs, help with repairs, or a cash offer to sell as-is. We pass your request to independent local providers. Free, no obligation.

What do you need?

How the resale use & occupancy (u&o) process works

About half of the municipalities in suburban Philadelphia require a resale use and occupancy certificate or similar sign-off before settlement. Pennsylvania's MCOCA law limits how a town can use violations to block a sale.

  1. Apply as soon as you list. Many towns ask for 14 to 60 days of lead time, and some double the fee for late applications.
  2. Pass the inspection to get a full certificate.
  3. If there are minor violations, the town must issue a temporary certificate. The buyer then usually has 12 months to fix them.
  4. If there are substantial violations, the buyer can still close with a temporary access certificate but cannot move in until the work is done.
Typical cost ranges (estimates, not quotes)
ItemTypical range
Municipal fee$0 to $300

Read the full resale use & occupancy (u&o) guide

If the house fails

You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.

Frequently asked questions

What does New Hope Borough require before I sell my house?

New Hope Borough requires a re-occupancy U&O plus zoning review before settlement. Published fee: $100 + $100. Skipping the process doubles the fees. $125 expedited inside 24 hours.

How much does the re-occupancy u&o + zoning review cost in New Hope Borough?

$100 + $100 Typical related costs: municipal fee $0 to $300.

What if my house fails?

You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.

Who pays, the buyer or the seller?

The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.

How old are the homes in New Hope Borough?

The median home in New Hope Borough was built in 1977, and the median home value is $716,200, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.

Nearby: Philadelphia & suburbs

Cite, link or embed this page

Agents, title companies and journalists are welcome to link to this page:

Or embed a small summary box on your website or listing page:

Sources

Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.