Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Burlington Township, Pennsylvania

Burlington Township’s own rules

• Local zoningAbsent

  Land inside Burlington township's limits: the township has not adopted a zoning ordinance of its own.

  • Township page says it opted out of organizing a local planning commission.
  • Subdivisions and land developments are handled by the county office of planning and grants (see subdivision claim).
  • State sewage (Act 537 / 25 Pa. Code ch. 72) and UCC rules still apply where applicable.

  “the township has opted out of organizing a local planning commission and has not adopted any zoning ordinances.”

• Zoning districtsNot published

  Land inside Burlington township's limits: no zoning districts exist because the township has not adopted zoning.

  • Based on the no-zoning statement.

  “the township has opted out of organizing a local planning commission and has not adopted any zoning ordinances.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeNone

  Land inside Burlington township's limits: no township zoning minimum dwelling size rule (no zoning ordinance).

  • Based on the no-zoning statement; building code and sewage rules may still apply.

  “the township has opted out of organizing a local planning commission and has not adopted any zoning ordinances.”

• Minimum lot sizeNone

  Land inside Burlington township's limits: no township zoning district lot-size rule (no zoning ordinance).

  • Based on the no-zoning statement; subdivision and land development review by the county still applies.

  “the township has opted out of organizing a local planning commission and has not adopted any zoning ordinances.”

• SetbacksNone

  Land inside Burlington township's limits: no township zoning setback rule (no zoning ordinance).

  • Based on the no-zoning statement; subdivision and land development review by the county still applies.

  “the township has opted out of organizing a local planning commission and has not adopted any zoning ordinances.”

• Lot coverageNone

  Land inside Burlington township's limits: no township zoning lot-coverage rule (no zoning ordinance).

  • Based on the no-zoning statement.

  “the township has opted out of organizing a local planning commission and has not adopted any zoning ordinances.”

• Building heightNone

  Land inside Burlington township's limits: no township zoning height rule (no zoning ordinance).

  • Based on the no-zoning statement.

  “the township has opted out of organizing a local planning commission and has not adopted any zoning ordinances.”

Rules another office applies inside Burlington Township

Burlington Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Onlot sewage permitting inside Burlington township, through the Bradford County Sanitation Committee as the listed sewage agency for the township.

  • DEP's joint local agency list names the Bradford County Sanitation Committee for Burlington township; state Chapter 72 rules govern the permit process.
  • A Bradford County Health Department environmental-health listing also mentions onsite permits; that overlap was not resolved from official sources.

  “8911 burlington township bradford bradford co sanitation committee”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of an individual onlot sewage system inside Burlington township, permitted by the Bradford County Sanitation Committee's certified sewage enforcement officer.

  • Permit is issued only by a certified sewage enforcement officer employed or contracted by the local agency (25 Pa. Code 72.21(c)).
  • Permit issues when the proposed system complies with the Sewage Facilities Act and Chapter 72 (72.21(d)).

  “no local agency may issue a permit for the installation of an individual or community onlot sewage system except by and through a certified sewage enforcement officer employed or contracted by the local agency.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivisions and land developments inside Burlington township, handled by Bradford County rather than the township.

  • The county page states the county office handles the township's subdivisions and land developments; the review standards are in the county subdivision and land development ordinance, not opened in this research.

  “the county office of planning and grants handles all of the to wnship's subdivisions and land developments.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Burlington Township or Bradford County directly.

• Building permit — Building permit requirement for new homes inside Burlington township.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Burlington township.
• Building code adopted — Whether Burlington township enforces the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
• Inspections — Building inspection for new homes inside Burlington township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Burlington township.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.