Permits

Permits are required for:

• Curb and Sidewalk Construction
• New Construction, Alterations to Buildings
• Plumbing
• Sale of your Home (Use and Occupancy Permit)
• Signs
• Decks
• In-ground Swimming Pools
• Solicitations (Contact Police Department)
• Yard/Garage Sales

Contact the Souderton Borough Office before starting any construction to ensure that your project complies with various building and zoning ordinances. The Borough will need a copy of your plans, estimated construction cost, and contractor information.

Resolution No 9-06, Updated Fees Schedule

Property Maintenance

FENCES - Shall not exceed 6 feet in height in rear yards, with a maximum height of 4 feet in front yards. Fences in front yards must be designed to be open and ornamental. The finished side of the fence must be oriented to your neighbor. There is no setback requirement from property lines. Corner lots may require additional setbacks to maintain visibility at intersections. A professional surveyor should be contacted if you do not know where your property pins or monuments are located for your property. The property lines must be clearly visible or surveyed as a condition of the permit.

GRASS - Regular mowing required so as not to exceed six inches.

POOLS - Must be 10 feet from property lines. In-ground pools must be enclosed with a minimum 4' high fence and locking gate. Above ground pools must have removable ladders or fence-enclosed ladders and deck areas.

RECYCLING/TRASH REMOVAL - Residents are required to recycle. Property owners are responsible for the removal of trash and recyclables through a trash hauler of their choice. The Borough supplies recycling bins which can be picked up at the Borough Office.

SNOW REMOVAL - Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after cessation of snow. Clear a path of at least 30 inches wide.

SUMP PUMPS - Sump pumps cannot be discharged to sanitary sewer lines. Please redirect sump pump discharges from streets or sidewalks between November and March to avoid ice hazards.

TREES/SHRUBS - Trees must be trimmed to a height of 7 feet over sidewalks and away from street signs and stop signs. Shrubbery must be trimmed to avoid overhanging onto sidewalks.

CURB/SIDEWALK - Property owners are responsible for the construction or replacement of curb and sidewalk. Deteriorated curb and sidewalk must be replaced prior to any scheduled road reconstruction activity or prior to the sale or transfer of the property as part of the Borough’s Certificate of Occupancy permit.

Sewer Bills

The amount of your sewer bill is based on the number of residential or commercial units on your property and the volume of water consumption as metered by the North Penn Water Authority. Excessive water consumption caused by watering lawns, washing cars and driveways, or leaking plumbing fixtures will be reflected in higher sewer bills.

Sewer bills are mailed during the first week of February, May, August, and November. Payments may be made by mail or in person at the Borough Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. The Borough accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and debit cards. Payments after hours can be deposited in the drop box located in the front vestibule of the Municipal Building.

Selling Your Home?

A Use and Occupancy Permit is required prior to the sale of residential or commercial properties. The purpose of this permit is to verify that the current or proposed use of the property complies with Zoning and Building Codes.

An inspection of your property is required and should be completed 30 days prior to the scheduled settlement to provide time to address any problems. Of particular concern is the condition of curb and sidewalk and the closure of cellar drains. There is a fee of $60.00 for the permit.

Yard Sales

Anyone wishing to conduct a yard sale must obtain a Yard Sale Permit from the Borough Office. There is no fee for the permit. Call the Borough Office and provide your name, address and sale dates and pick up your permit at your convenience.

Residents are permitted to have 2 yard sales per year. A single yard sale can extend over two consecutive days and count as one yard sale. Remember, do not post yard sale signs on utility poles or street signs.

Residential Rental Registration and Inspection Program

Since 1991, owners of rental properties have been required to regularly report the names of tenants to the Borough Office. This program has yielded only moderate results, prompting the adoption of Souderton Borough Council Ordinance No 647 on October 4, 2004, which completely revamps the reporting process for rental properties.

The goal and objective of this new comprehensive program is to provide for the equitable distribution of tax levies; protect and promote health, safety and welfare of the residents and particularly the occupants of rental units; encourage owners and tenants of rental units to maintain such units in a well maintained, safe and sanitary condition and develop and maintain a comprehensive data base of information and contacts to better respond to police, fire and medical emergencies that may occur within rental properties.

Since 2004 the Borough has required every owner of rental property to annually file registration information with the Borough, including tenant information and contact information. This data is maintained by the Code Enforcement Officer and Police for purposes of making contacts in emergency situations. Tenant information will also be shared with the local tax collectors. To help defray administrative expenses, there is an annual fee of $25 per rental property, payable to Souderton Borough, which should be enclosed with the registration form. Upon submission of the required information, the Code Enforcement Officer will issue a Certificate of Occupancy for display in a common area of the building.

Regulations also require periodic inspections of all rental units to verify compliance with life and safety issues and the Property Maintenance Code. The inspections will occur every three to four years. The inspection schedule is broken down by the three wards in Souderton Borough. In 2008, rental properties located in Ward 1 will require inspections. Ward 2 properties will begin inspections in 2009 and properties in Ward 3 will be scheduled beginning in 2010.

We hope that this program will be beneficial for all parties involved. Please feel free to contact Carl Stuart, Code Enforcement Officer at 215-723-4371 between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm if you should have any questions or require assistance in completing the registration form.

Voting Guide

Ward 1: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 75 W. Broad St.
Ward 2: Zion Mennonite Church, Front St. & Cherry Ln.
Ward 3: Zwingli UCC, 330 Wile Avenue.