Radon in Lebanon County, PA: Test Results and Mitigation Cost

Lebanon County has one of the highest radon test failure rates in Pennsylvania. In the 13 ZIP codes centered in the county with at least 30 basement tests, 16,195 of 27,006 basement tests (60.0%) were at or above 4 pCi/L in PA DEP data, by our count through July 2026.

Across every floor level, DEP's data holds 33,304 Lebanon County tests and 55.7% met or passed the action level, fifth highest by share among Pennsylvania's 67 counties. EPA's 1993 zone map puts the county in Zone 1.

With readings this common, most Lebanon County mitigations are standard basement jobs; HomeGuide's Feb 2026 survey prices a sub-slab system at $1,200 to $2,000 installed.

Licensing and permits

State credential: radon testing and mitigation for pay in Lebanon County requires DEP certification under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 240, for the person doing the work and a certified responsible individual for the firm.

Local code: Lebanon County municipalities administer the Uniform Construction Code individually or through a third-party inspection agency; ask your installer who pulls any electrical permit. HomeGuide reports $25 to $150 for radon permits where required.

Farm properties: a farmhouse and a newer addition may each need attention; ask the bidder to state which living spaces the system covers.

Get the DEP-filed post-mitigation result in writing.

Local conditions

The county lies mostly in the Great Valley, the Lebanon Valley section, where limestone and dolomite floor the land around Lebanon, Annville and Myerstown and shale underlies the northern part of the valley toward Blue Mountain. South Mountain's ridge rises along the southern edge near Schaefferstown. Fractured carbonate rock is a classic radon source.

ZIP-level DEP basement data is consistently high. Lebanon's 17042 was 61.1% at or above 4 pCi/L across 8,178 tests and 17046 60.0% across 3,043; Palmyra's 17078 was 57.1% across 6,958; Annville's 17003 60.0% across 3,412; Myerstown's 17067 64.1% across 1,974 (PA DEP data, our count).

Jonestown's 17038, north toward Swatara Creek, was 63.9% across 1,203 tests and Newmanstown's 17073 62.4% across 803 (PA DEP data). No large ZIP in the county falls below half.

Fort Indiantown Gap and the state game lands on Blue Mountain cover much of the northern edge, so most homes sit in the valley towns and farm country between US 422 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, right on the carbonate belt. A neighbor's good result tells you little here: two farmhouses on the same road can sit over different limestone fractures.

What drives local prices

Very high starting levels: when most neighbors test above 4 pCi/L, a stronger fan or second suction point is more likely; our calculator adds an est. $250 to $500 per extra point on top of the published $1,200 to $2,000 base (HomeGuide).
Fieldstone farmhouse basements in the county often need wall and floor sealing before suction works well (est.).
Block foundations: block-wall depressurization runs $1,800 to $3,000 based on HomeGuide's published range.
Permit $25 to $150 where a municipality requires one; professional retest $125 to $400 (HomeGuide).
Sump pits: sealing and covering a sump as part of a system is in HomeGuide's $900 to $2,500 range for sump-based systems.

Common jobs

Sub-slab systems in postwar ranches and split-levels around Lebanon and Palmyra.
Sealing and suction for fieldstone basements in older farmhouses.
Sump-based systems where a basement already drains to a pit.
Retests and fan replacements on older systems.

From test to fixed, and where we cover

Step 1: test now; in a county where most basement tests in DEP data come back high, waiting gains nothing. Step 2: at 4 pCi/L or more, get two DEP-certified bids.

Step 3: compare bids with the calculator. Step 4: retest after installation.

Requests come from Lebanon, Palmyra, Annville, Cleona, Myerstown, Jonestown, Schaefferstown and Newmanstown, along US 422, I-81 and I-78.

Communities: Lebanon, Palmyra, Annville, Cleona, Myerstown, Jonestown, Schaefferstown, Newmanstown

Before you sign

A reading well above 4 pCi/L is a reason to schedule a fix soon, but not to skip a second bid (EPA Citizen's Guide). Ask each mitigator what post-mitigation level they guarantee and for how long.

Questions about Lebanon County

Is Lebanon County a high-radon area?

Yes. 60.0% of basement tests in the county's ZIPs with at least 30 tests read 4 pCi/L or higher in PA DEP data, and EPA rates it Zone 1.

Which Lebanon County ZIP has the highest share?

Among ZIPs with more than 1,000 basement tests, Myerstown's 17067 led at 64.1% in DEP data.

How much will a radon system cost in Lebanon County?

HomeGuide's published range is $1,200 to $2,000 for a sub-slab system; fieldstone or block basements can cost more.

Do I need a certified installer?

Yes. DEP certification under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 240 is required for paid mitigation.

Sources

Nearby counties

Rules and fees change; confirm with the state radon office. Price your own system with the radon mitigation cost calculator, read the radon mitigation cost guide, or check any ZIP with the radon levels by ZIP tool.