Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Borough of Biglerville, Pennsylvania

Borough of Biglerville’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Buildings and structures within Biglerville borough limits that are razed, constructed, or altered.

  • A written permit from the Mayor must be obtained first.
  • The application must be signed and state the location, dimensions, material, and estimated cost of the work.
  • The ordinance defines alteration to include enlargement and substantial repair, rearrangement, removal, or replacement of exterior or interior walls, roof, floor, or support.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit any building or structure within the limits of the Borough to be razed, constructed or altered upon any property owned by such person or upon any ground rented by him without first having obtained a permit therefor from the Mayor.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Residential properties subject to the Borough occupancy-permit process inside Biglerville borough limits.

  • The inspection is relative to compliance with Borough ordinances.
  • If a property violates an ordinance, no permit is issued and a new application and fees are required.

  “Residential Inspections. A Borough official will inspect each property relative to compliance. Should the property be in violation of any ordinance, no permit will be issued and a new application and fees will be required.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Structures, buildings, dwelling units, and applicable rental conversions inside Biglerville borough limits.

  • No occupancy or use may occur until the Borough Zoning Officer/Code Enforcement Officer issues a certificate of occupancy.
  • The requirement extends to newly constructed rental units, rental units sold, homes sold and turned into rental units, and substantially altered rental units.
  • A purchaser may receive a conditional certificate in Borough-approved circumstances involving significant construction needed to meet International Code standards; 45 days' notice is required, while other inspections are completed within 15 days' notice.

  “No structure, building or any part thereof, nor any dwelling unit, shall be occupied or used until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Zoning Officer/Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts inside Biglerville borough limits.

  • The Borough's published zoning chapter includes a part titled Establishment of Zoning Districts; district boundaries are determined under the code and map provisions.

  “Part 4 ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Improved properties voluntarily connecting to the sewer system owned by Biglerville Borough Authority inside Biglerville borough limits.

  • Before connection, the person must apply, obtain a written Borough permit, and pay the applicable fees.
  • This evidence establishes requirements for an actual connection; it does not establish a universal availability-based mandate to connect every new home.
  • Connection fee is actual cost with a $250 minimum where stated; total sewer tapping fee is $3,261 per EDU in the published schedule.

  minimum connection fee: >= 250 USD (Where lateral or connection installation is by open cut, boring, jacking, or a combination.) · total sewer tapping fee: 3261 USD per EDU (Published schedule; applicable fee conditions remain in § 18-204.)

  “No person shall connect any improved property with any part of the sewer system owned by the Authority without first making application, securing a permit therefor in writing from the Borough and making payment of the various fees in the amounts set forth in § 18-204 of this Part.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and land development inside Biglerville borough limits.

  • The Borough publishes a dedicated Subdivision and Land Development chapter; individual approval standards were not extracted.

  “Chapter 22 Subdivision and Land Development (§ 22-101 – § 22-1020)”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Borough building-permit applications inside Biglerville borough limits.

  • The applicant pays the fee when submitting the application.
  • The amount is established from time to time by Borough Council resolution.

  “The fee payable by the applicant with the submission of the application shall be in an amount as established by resolution from time to time by Borough Council.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permits for buildings or structures inside Biglerville borough limits.

  • The written application must be signed by the applicant.
  • It must state the location, dimensions, material, and estimated cost of the razing or alteration.

  “Application for such permit shall be written, signed by the applicant, setting forth the location, dimensions, material and estimated cost of the razing or alteration.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Borough of Biglerville or Adams County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Biglerville borough limits.
• Building code adopted — Construction inside Biglerville borough limits.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Biglerville borough limits.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Biglerville borough limits.
• Setbacks — Structures inside Biglerville borough limits.

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 Borough of Biglerville 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.

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.