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

Edgmont Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction regulated by Edgmont Township's building code.

  • Subject to the exceptions in § 150-2; specified pre-July 1, 1999 local code provisions supersede counterpart UCC provisions only while they equal or exceed UCC requirements.

  “Except as provided in § 150-2 of this article, the Uniform Construction Code, 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401-405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted in its entirety and made a part hereof by reference.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Retaining-tank sewage disposal inside Edgmont Township.

  • The Township's retaining-tank authority operates alongside applicable Commonwealth laws and administrative-agency regulations.

  “The Board of Supervisors of Edgmont Township is authorized and empowered to undertake within the Township the control and methods of retaining tank use, sewage disposal and sewage collection and transportation thereof.”

• Septic permitLimited

  Construction, operation, or maintenance of a retaining tank inside Edgmont Township.

  • Applicant must file with the Township all plans, including planning modules and site plan, and materials demonstrating compliance.
  • After Township approval, the application is forwarded to DEP if appropriate; DEP processes it and issues permits upon approval.

  “Any person desiring to own, construct, operate or maintain a retaining tank shall file an application therefor with the Township, together with all plans (including, but not limited to, planning modules and site plan) and other materials necessary to demonstrate compliance with all of the provisions of this article.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Permitted retaining tanks inside Edgmont Township.

  • Inspection must be by an approved sewage-disposal contractor.
  • The written report must be provided to the Township.
  • The owner must maintain and annually submit an executed maintenance contract; failure causes immediate permit revocation.

  inspection frequency: per 1 year (permitted retaining tanks)

  “Require an approved sewage disposal contractor to inspect the retaining tank(s) on an annual basis and provide a written report of the inspection, which shall also be provided to the Township.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Retaining-tank sewage disposal inside Edgmont Township.

  • Owner must show the on-lot septic system has failed and no viable disposal alternative exists.
  • A retaining tank is temporary only until a suitable alternative is available.
  • Tank must conform to Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code and be installed below grade.

  “The property owner shall provide evidence to the Township that the on-lot septic system which serves the property has failed and that no other viable alternative means of sewage collection and disposal are available to the property.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Improved property inside Edgmont Township adjoining, adjacent to, or with principal buildings within 250 feet of a public sewer line or lateral.

  • Connection is required within 90 days after Township notice.
  • A residential owner may timely seek a delay based on a new working on-lot septic system installed within the preceding 60 months; specified holding-tank and new-construction/development systems are excluded.
  • Connection requires Township permit, fees, and at least 48 hours' advance notice for inspection and testing.

  distance to public sewer line or lateral: <= 250 feet (improved property subject to § 268-16) · connection deadline after notice: <= 90 days (subject to terms and stated delay process)

  “Duty to connect. Subject to the terms of this article, the owner of any improved property located within Edgmont Township, adjoining or adjacent to, or whose principal building(s) is/are within 250 feet of a public sewer system line(s) or lateral(s) shall connect with and use the public sewer system in such manner as the Township may require within 90 days after notice to such owner from the Township, to make such connection, for the purpose of discharge of all sewage from such improved property.”

• Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

  Administration and enforcement of Edgmont Township's building code and Uniform Construction Code.

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

  “Fees assessable by the Edgmont Township for the administration and enforcement of this article and the Uniform Construction Code shall be established by the Board of Supervisors from time to time by resolution.”

• Permit processPartial

  Public-sewer connections inside Edgmont Township.

  • Application is made by the owner or authorized agent on the Township form.
  • The applicant must submit a sketch plan of the on-site system, including septic tanks to be abandoned.
  • Work in a public-road right-of-way also requires permits from the responsible jurisdiction.

  “No person shall uncover, connect with, make any opening into or use, alter or disturb, in any manner, any part of the public sewer system without first making application for and securing a permit from the Township.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — New residential construction inside Edgmont Township.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Edgmont Township.
• Inspections — Building work inside Edgmont Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Edgmont Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in Edgmont Township zoning districts.

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 Edgmont 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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