FAQ – Engineering

Contact the Township Department of Engineering Services (610 678-5393) and leave a detailed message regarding the problem, along with your name and telephone number. The Township will review the situation to determine if the area of concern is a developer issue or a Township issue, and will return your call.

Yes, a Utility Building Zoning Permit is required for the placement of a shed to ensure Zoning compliance and to keep structures from being improperly placed within drainage and utility easements and floodplains. Please complete the Utility Building Zoning application. Please be sure to complete the bird’s eye view drawing of your property. The drawing shall include the location of property lines, the house and other structures, roads, alleys and easements and the proposed location of the shed. Please label the setback distances to the property lines and other structures. Sheds are not permitted within a required front or side yard. Sheds placed next to a house must be setback the minimum side yard requirement from the side property line. This distance varies depending on the Zoning District in which your property is located. Sheds located in the rear yard behind the house are given a setback exemption. Sheds that are 150 sqft in size and smaller are permitted to be setback only two feet from the side and two feet from the rear property line. Sheds over 150sqft in size must be setback the minimum side yard requirement from the side and rear property line.

Contact PennDOT for all State Routes – Hotline Number is 1-800-FIXROAD. Township road repair concerns should be forwarded to the Township Road Master at 610-678-5393.

Township Street maps are available in the Business Office or Engineering Services Department for $1.00. Zoning maps are also available for $5.00.

The Township signed an agreement with the Berks County Conservation District, which permits the BCCD to administer, inspect, and enforce sediment and erosion control at all construction sites of one (1) acre or more within the Township.

Yes, a Building Permit is needed for putting up a shed or fence, building new or adding on to existing structures, adding retaining walls, even tearing down buildings. An application should be completed and submitted along with a detailed drawing (bird’s eye view) of your property showing structures, property lines, and measurements.

Plumbing Permits are required for any of the following: hooking up a sanitary sewer system, installing plumbing fixtures in kitchens, bathrooms, hot water heaters, or air conditioners.

Curb/Sidewalk/Driveway Ramp Permits are required if you are replacing/installing sidewalks, curbs and/or driveway ramps.

Residents are not permitted to plant trees and bushes between the street and the sidewalk.