Planning & Permits

West Pennsboro Township Planning & Permit Process

Click Here to View West Pennsboro Township Map

A. Sewage Approval

1. Apply by contacting the township office at (717) 243-8220. The cost of a new sewage application is $600 per lot, payable to ‘West Pennsboro Township’. This fee covers the work of Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) Vincent Elbel. His field work (study of the perc and deep probe) is necessary to receive a permit for a septic system.
2. The applicant will be responsible to dig the perc holes and arrange for a backhoe to dig the deep probe.
3. After Mr. Elbel has recommended approval to have the sewage system designed, he will supply the locations of the probe and perc holes for the system designer and/or the surveyor. The completed design is then returned to Mr. Elbel for approval and inclusion in the “Sewage Planning Module”.
4. All Sewage Planning Modules (proposed new septic systems with the exception of 10-Acre Exemptions) must be reviewed by the Cumberland County Planning Department, the West Pennsboro Township Planning Commission, the West Pennsboro Township Board of Supervisors and PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
5. The DEP approval process normally takes 60 – 90 days from the date of submittal to DEP. In these cases, the Board of Supervisors may approve the subdivision plan contingent upon DEP approval and then sign the plan upon written receipt of DEP approval.
6. Upon receipt of DEP approval, the applicant may request the SEO to issue the sewage permit.

B. Subdivision or Land Development  

1. Obtain a surveyor who should draw up a subdivision or land development plan. If the surveyor has not submitted plans to West Pennsboro Township in the past, they may obtain a copy of the 2021-03 Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance from the township office or on the website under the Ordinances & Resolutions Tab. The surveyor will submit the plan to the township along with the appropriate fee (see fee schedule).
2. The plan is to be submitted to the Cumberland County Planning Commission nine days prior to their meeting date, which is the third Thursday of each month and to the township 21 days prior to the Township Planning Commission meeting date (fourth Tuesday of each month).
3. If an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan is required, the Cumberland County Conservation District will also need to receive a copy of the plan.
4. It is the policy of the Township Planning Commission to refer plans to the Township Engineer for professional commentary on the plan. The expense incurred by the township in the professional review of the plan is the responsibility of the developer and will be payable to the township prior to the release of the approved plan.
5. After approval by the County, Township, and DEP, the Board of Supervisors will review and sign the plan. The Township Supervisors meet on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Call the township office for the exact dates for Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings. It is a requirement to have a representative attend meetings in order to present the plans and answer any questions.
6. Within 90 days, the Township will make an appointment and record the plan at the Cumberland County Recorder of Deeds Office, Carlisle.

For questions and further information, please contact our Township Engineer:

Paul D. Wilson, P.E.
Owner
Wilson Engineering & Consulting LLC
143 Frost Road
Gardners, PA 17324
WilsonEng@comcast.net
(717)580-3580
www.wilson-eng.com

• Click Here for Subdivision & Land Development Application

C. Driveway Permit – $75.00

1. A Township Driveway Application is required if the driveway will access the lot from a township road. Along with the $75 application fee, include a sketch plan of the property showing the proposed driveway location, dimensions, intersecting roads, any improvements proposed (culverts/drains), and anticipated work dates.
2. If the driveway is to access a state road, call PENNDOT at (717) 243-5414 for an application.
3. The Township Roadmaster will review the application and return it with regulations for installation. A permit will be issued upon inspection of the finished work.
4. The Township requires driveways of new subdivisions/land developments to be surfaced with the same material as that of the road they access. Driveways for non-residential and agricultural uses are to be surfaced to a minimum of 24 feet and a maximum of 35 feet in width between the street and the dedicated right-of-way line.

• Click Here for Driveway Application

D. Zoning Permit – $70.00 for projects of $3,000 or less; each additional $1,000 value, or fraction thereof, is an additional $5.

1. After subdivision or land development plans are approved, sewage permit is obtained, and driveway application is approved, a building/land use permit must be secured.
2. On-lot accumulated earth disturbance of over 1,000 SQFT will require a Stormwater Management Plan.  
3. Once the Zoning Application has been obtained from the township, you may proceed with your project unless a UCC (Building) Permit is required.  See below for UCC Steps.

• Click Here for Zoning Permit

E.  Uniform Construction Code (Building) Application

1. If a UCC (Building) Permit is required, you’ll be directed to West Pennsboro Township to drop off your application for the building inspection agency (MDIA) review.
   • You will need to provide 2 sets of complete construction documents.  If your project is commercial, the construction documents will need to be stamped by a professional.
2.  Once the review has been performed and the building plans approved, you will be called by the staff at West Pennsboro Township with the cost of the inspections. You will be able to pick up your permit and pay for the inspection at that time.
3. You may then begin to build and call the building inspector for each inspection as required.

• Click Here for UCC (Building) Permit

F. Solicitation/Peddling Permit – $50.00/Solicitor

It is to be understood that permits are only to be issued for a thirty (30) day time period.  Each Solicitor/Person shall at all times while soliciting in the Township carry upon his person the Permit and the same shall be exhibited by the Solicitor whenever he is required to do so by any Township Official or person being solicited.

Hours of Solicitation: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (no Soliciting on Weekends or Holidays)

What is required by the Township:

1. Fully completed & signed Solicitation Permit Application annotating solicitor information, name of employer, name of products or services being solicited, product manufacturer information or organization being represented, and the proposed method of operation to be conducted in the township.
2. $50.00 (per Solicitor) application fee paid to West Pennsboro Township (Cash/Check)
3. Applicant Photo ID to be copied for files
4. Vehicle Information

The Permit may be revoked by the Board of Supervisors because of any violation of the Ordinance or any other Township Ordinances or of any state or federal law.  Any person found to be soliciting without registering with the Township or to be in violation of any of the provisions of the Ordinance shall, upon conviction by a Magisterial District Judge, be subject to a fine of not more than $500.00, plus costs of prosecution.