Zoning, building permits and septic rules in West Pottsgrove Township, Pennsylvania

West Pottsgrove Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction code enforcement inside West Pottsgrove Township.

  • The UCC is amended from time to time.
  • Administration and enforcement may be performed by Township staff, retained code officials or third-party agencies, an intermunicipal agreement, a contract with another municipality, or an agreement with Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for specified structures.

  “The Uniform Construction code [...] is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside West Pottsgrove Township.

  • The Chapter 20 table of contents identifies R-1, R-2, R-3, PRC, CB, I, RR, RR-1, FP, Airport Hazard Area, and RCO Route 100 Commercial Overlay districts.

  “Article V R-1 Low-Density Residential District [...] Article XXIII RCO Route 100 Commercial Overlay District.”

• Off-grid sanitationProhibited

  An improved property inside West Pottsgrove Township that has been connected, or is required under § 19-32 to connect, to sewer.

  • This prohibition is limited to properties connected to sewer or required to connect under § 19-32.
  • The existing receptacle must be abandoned and, if Township requires, cleansed and filled at owner expense under Township direction and supervision.

  “No [...] septic tank [...] shall be used [...] upon any improved property [...] required [...] to be connected to a sewer.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  An improved property inside West Pottsgrove Township that is benefited, improved, or accommodated by a Township sewer.

  • Connection is required within 90 days after Township notice.
  • The rule is subject to limitations and restrictions established in the chapter, otherwise by the Township, or under the treatment agreement.
  • The owner bears construction and connection costs.
  • A $1,700 per EDU connection fee applies when property connects.
  • Failure after notice permits Township connection and cost recovery with a 10% penalty and maximum interest allowed by law.

  connection deadline after notice: 90 days (For an improved property benefited, improved, or accommodated by a sewer.) · connection fee: 1700 USD per EDU (For each property, building, or other structure connected.)

  “within 90 days after notice [...] to make such connection”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land-development proposals inside West Pottsgrove Township.

  • Proposals must also comply with other applicable Township regulations.

  “Subdivision and/or land development proposals are further regulated by the West Pottsgrove Township [...] Ordinance.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  A dwelling erected or altered inside West Pottsgrove Township.

  • Direct access must be through open space on the same lot.
  • If the open space is less than required district lot width, a variance is required.
  • The dwelling must take access from an open public street paved and improved under SALDO requirements.

  “The dwelling shall take access from an open public street”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Township fees for Uniform Construction Code administration and enforcement.

  • Fees are established by Board of Commissioners resolution from time to time.

  “Fees [...] shall be established [...] by resolution from time to time.”

• Permit processPartial

  Construction-code administration inside West Pottsgrove Township.

  • The Board of Commissioners determines the enforcement method by resolution from time to time.
  • One option is an agreement with Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry for plan review, inspections, and enforcement of structures other than one-family or two-family dwelling units and utility and miscellaneous use structures.

  “Administration and enforcement [...] shall be undertaken [...] as determined by the Board of Commissioners”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential construction inside West Pottsgrove Township.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside West Pottsgrove Township.
• Inspections — Residential construction inside West Pottsgrove Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — New residential occupancy inside West Pottsgrove Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family residential districts inside West Pottsgrove 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.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in West Pottsgrove Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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