Bolthole Index

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

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

Conestoga Township, Pennsylvania (Lancaster County) has its own zoning ordinance, and building work falls under the Uniform Construction Code the township has adopted12. Zoning and building applications go to Solanco Engineering Associates, the township's contracted office3. Septic permits come from a Sewage Enforcement Officer employed by the township, not from the county4.

At a glance

Zoning
Township zoning ordinance, adopted by the Board of Supervisors1
Building permit
Required under the Uniform Construction Code; applications go to Solanco Engineering Associates23
Septic
Permit from the township's Sewage Enforcement Officer before installing or occupying4
Minimum lot (Low-Density Residential)
65,000 sq ft without public water and sewer; 20,000 sq ft with both5
Accessory apartment (Low-Density Residential)
Special exception from the Zoning Hearing Board6
Owner-builder
Pennsylvania has no statewide contractor license for most work; the UCC permit still applies7
Private wells
Homeowners drilling their own well are exempt from the state driller licence; no township well rule confirmed8

Who to call

Building permits

Conestoga Township zoning officer and building code office (Solanco Engineering Associates)

Zoning approval, building (UCC) permits and stormwater management applications for Conestoga Township

717-786-0355

permits@solancoengineering.com

103 Fite Way, Suite C, Quarryville, PA 17566

Septic permits

Conestoga Township Sewage Enforcement Officer

Septic permits, inspections and approved-hauler forms for on-lot systems in Conestoga Township

717.786.0355

103 Fite Way, Suite C, Quarryville, PA 17566

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Conestoga Township, PA have zoning, and what are the lot-size and setback rules?

Conestoga Township adopted its own zoning ordinance in 2005, so the township, not Lancaster County, decides what you can build on a parcel inside its limits1. The ordinance publishes a zoning map and a table of permitted land uses; find your parcel's district before anything else9.

In the Low-Density Residential district, a house on a lot with neither public water nor public sewer needs at least 65,000 square feet, and a lot with both needs at least 20,000 square feet5. Front setbacks are measured from the road center line: 80 feet on a major collector, 60 feet on a minor collector and 50 feet on a local road10. Lots without public water and sewer need a 25-foot side yard and a 50-foot rear yard10. Buildings may cover at most 20 percent of the lot11 and may rise to 35 feet12. Other districts have their own tables, so these figures apply only in Low-Density Residential.

Can you build an accessory apartment or put a mobile home on land in Conestoga Township?

In the Low-Density Residential district, an accessory apartment is allowed only with a written special exception from the Zoning Hearing Board, which can attach conditions6. Mobile home parks in the Village Mixed-Use district also need a written special exception from the Zoning Hearing Board13.

For a single manufactured home on its own lot, the state construction-code rules say the Uniform Construction Code applies to additions, resale and relocation, but they do not settle local zoning or siting, so the township's zoning officer has the final word on where one can go14. We could not confirm a township rule on minimum house size or on accessory units outside Low-Density Residential; ask the zoning officer3.

Do you need a building permit in Conestoga Township, and who issues it?

Yes. Conestoga Township adopted Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code as its municipal building code2, and the state requires the owner or an authorized agent to obtain a residential building permit before covered construction begins15. Limited work such as fences no more than 6 feet high is exempt from that permit requirement15.

The township sends all building, zoning and stormwater applications to Solanco Engineering Associates, whose staff can tell you which permits or approvals your plan needs3. The township's code says fees are set by the Board of Supervisors by resolution, and the zoning page posts a current fee schedule and permit applications163. A project adding less than 1000 square feet of impervious surface still needs a stormwater exemption3.

Inside the township, the county planning office does not issue building permits; it gives advisory reviews of subdivision and land-development plans, and the township must approve those plans before they can be recorded17.

How do septic permits work in Conestoga Township?

Septic permits in Conestoga Township come from the township, not from Lancaster County. Township code says sewage permits may be issued only by a Sewage Enforcement Officer employed by the township18. Nobody may install, alter or occupy a building that relies on an individual or community sewage system without first getting that permit4.

Existing systems are inspected on a schedule. The ordinance calls for reinspection within four years of the initial inspection19, while the township's sewage page says DEP requires every septic system to be inspected or pumped once every 3 years20. Ask the Sewage Enforcement Officer which schedule applies to your lot. Statewide, an owner of a tract of at least 10 acres may qualify for an exemption, but a municipality can require a permit by ordinance, and Conestoga's ordinance requires one214. Across Lancaster County, about 45% of soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation22.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Conestoga Township?

We could not confirm a township rule on living in a recreational vehicle, camping on private land, or occupying a tiny home in Conestoga Township. Do not assume either answer. Pennsylvania's statewide RV rules we found cover state park campgrounds only, which says nothing about your own land23.

Any dwelling that is a permanent building still goes through zoning approval, a Uniform Construction Code permit and a septic permit24. Ask the zoning officer in writing whether an RV or tiny home can be occupied on your parcel and for how long, before you buy3.

Building a home in Conestoga Township: the steps, in order

  1. Find your parcel's zoning district on the township zoning map and check lot size, setbacks and coverage9.
  2. Ask the zoning officer whether your plan needs a special exception or other Zoning Hearing Board approval63.
  3. Get a septic permit from the Sewage Enforcement Officer before you build4.
  4. If you are dividing land, expect advisory review by the county planning department and approval by the township17.
  5. Submit the building and zoning permit application to Solanco Engineering Associates3.
  6. If the driveway meets a state highway, a PennDOT highway occupancy permit is required24.
  7. Pass the required inspections; for residential work these include foundation, plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems, frame and masonry, wallboard and a final inspection25.
  8. Get a certificate of occupancy before anyone lives there26.

What stays with Lancaster County and the state, and what to check before you buy

The township sets zoning and issues building and septic permits; Lancaster County's planning department only advises27. For land outside Conestoga Township, see the Lancaster County page.

Pennsylvania has no statewide license for most construction contractors, and an owner building their own primary residence without pay is not treated as a home-improvement contractor7. Homeowners who drill their own well are exempt from the state driller licence, and the state has no construction standards for private wells; we could not confirm a township well rule8. For flood-prone ground, construction in a floodplain needs documentation sealed by a registered design professional28; the township's own floodplain procedure was not confirmed.

Lancaster County's effective property tax rate is 1.4%29, and typical farmland sells for about $21,633 an acre30.

Watch-outs

  • Rules differ by zoning district, and the lot-size and setback figures here are for Low-Density Residential only; confirm your parcel's district with the zoning officer93.
  • We could not confirm township rules on RV living, tiny homes, short-term rentals, driveways or the Floodplain-Conservation District; ask the zoning officer before you commit to a purchase3.
  • The township ordinance and the township's sewage page describe different septic inspection intervals, so confirm the current schedule with the Sewage Enforcement Officer1920.
  • A driveway onto a state highway needs a PennDOT highway occupancy permit in addition to any township approval24.

Sources

  1. Chapter 320: Zoning (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 94: Construction Codes, Uniform (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Conestoga Township zoning officer and building code office (Solanco Engineering Associates) (conestogatwp.com)
  4. Chapter 205: Sewage Disposal (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Article VII: Low-Density Residential (LDR) District (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Article VII: Low-Density Residential (LDR) District (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Contractor Licensing (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Apply for a Water Well Drillers License and Rig Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 320: Zoning (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Article VII: Low-Density Residential (LDR) District (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Article VII: Low-Density Residential (LDR) District (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Article VII: Low-Density Residential (LDR) District (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Article IX: Village Mixed-Use (VMU) District (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Part XIV, Uniform Construction Code, Chapter 403 Administration (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 94: Construction Codes, Uniform (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. LCPD Review of Subdivision and / or Land Development Plans, quoted and re-checked
  18. Chapter 205: Sewage Disposal (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. Chapter 205: Sewage Disposal (Conestoga Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. Conestoga Township Sewage Enforcement Officer (conestogatwp.com)
  21. Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  23. RV and Tent Campsites (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Apply for a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (Pennsylvania statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code Regulations, Chapter 403, quoted and re-checked
  26. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  27. Simplified Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  28. Apply for a Uniform Construction Code Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  29. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Conestoga Township

Conestoga Township’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction subject to the municipal building code inside Conestoga Township.

    • The incorporated UCC is amended from time to time.
    “The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code Chapters 401 to 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code of Conestoga Township.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Conestoga Township.

    • Chapter 320 was adopted by the Township Board of Supervisors on April 5, 2005; amendments are noted where applicable.
    “[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Conestoga 4-5-2005. Amendments noted where applicable.]”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Conestoga Township.

    • The Chapter 320 page publishes a zoning map and a summary of bulk and lot standards as attachments.
    “ATTACHMENTS Table 18, Sign Requirements Zoning Map Table 20, List of Permitted Land Uses Table 21, Summary of Bulk and Lot Standards”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Principal buildings in the Low-Density Residential District inside Conestoga Township.

    • Minimum varies by public-water and sanitary-sewer service.
    • Developments using public or community sanitary sewer and/or water must have primary vehicular access from a major or minor collector road.

    minimum lot area without public water and sanitary sewer: 65000 square feet · minimum lot area with public water only: 43560 square feet · minimum lot area with public sanitary sewer and private water: 30000 square feet · minimum lot area with public sanitary sewer and public water: 20000 square feet

    “Minimum lot area (square feet) | 65,000 | 43,560 | 30,000 | 20,000”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Principal buildings in the Low-Density Residential District inside Conestoga Township.

    • Front setbacks are measured from roadway center lines and depend on road classification.
    • In developed areas, the minimum building setback may be reduced under § 320-75B.
    • Corner lots must increase minimum lot width by 10%.

    front setback major collector: 80 feet from roadway center line · front setback minor collector: 60 feet from roadway center line · front setback local road: 50 feet from roadway center line · minimum rear yard: 50 feet (Lots not served by public water and sanitary sewer; table provides lower figures for other service categories.) · minimum side yard: 25 feet (Lots not served by public water and sanitary sewer; table provides lower figures for other service categories.)

    “Minimum front yard setback¹ (feet) | Major collector: 80 from roadway center line Minor collector: 60 from roadway center line Local: 50 from roadway center line”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Principal buildings in the Low-Density Residential District inside Conestoga Township.

    • Table 7 states the standard in the public-water/sanitary-sewer service framework.

    maximum lot coverage, all structures: 20 percent

    “Maximum lot coverage (all structures) (percent) | 20%”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Principal buildings in the Low-Density Residential District inside Conestoga Township.

    • Table 7 applies the bulk standards in the public-water/sanitary-sewer service framework.

    maximum building height: 35 feet

    “Bulk, lot, height and other area regulations shall be determined on the provision of private or public water and sanitary sewer facilities, as follows (developments using public or community sanitary sewer and/or water service shall have primary vehicular access from a major or minor collector road):”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile-home parks in the Village Mixed-Use District inside Conestoga Township.

    • A written special exception from the Zoning Hearing Board is required.
    • The Board may attach reasonable conditions and safeguards.
    “The following uses are permitted when special exceptions are granted by written approval of the Zoning Hearing Board. [...] Mobile home parks subject to the provisions of § 320-122.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory apartments in the Low-Density Residential District inside Conestoga Township.

    • Requires written special-exception approval of the Zoning Hearing Board.
    • Subject to § 320-101 and any conditions or safeguards attached by the Board.
    “The following uses are permitted when special exceptions are granted by written approval of the Zoning Hearing Board. [...] Accessory apartments, subject to the provisions of § 320-101.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    On-lot sewage disposal systems in Township sewage-management districts or areas not served by public sewer.

    • The program operates under the Clean Streams Law, Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, and related regulations.
    • The Township employs or contracts qualified personnel, including a Sewage Enforcement Officer.
    “Sewage permits may be issued only by a Sewage Enforcement Officer employed by the Township. DEP shall be notified as to the identity of each Sewage Enforcement Officer employed by the Township.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, construction, alteration, or occupancy of a building or structure for which an individual or community sewage system is to be installed inside Conestoga Township.

    • Permit must be obtained first from the Township-employed Sewage Enforcement Officer.
    • The permit must indicate compliance with the Clean Streams Law, Sewage Facilities Act, and regulations under those acts.
    “No person shall install, construct or request bid proposals for construction, or alter an individual sewage system, or community sewage system, or construct or request bid proposals for construction, or for the installation or for occupying of any building or structure for which an individual sewage system or community sewage system is to be installed, without first obtaining a permit from the Sewage Enforcement Officer, which permit shall indicate that the site and the plans and specifications of such system are in compliance with the provisions of the Clean Streams Law (35 P.S. §§ 691.1 to 691.1001) and the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (35 P.S. § 750.1 et seq.) and the regulations adopted pursuant to those Acts.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    On-site sewage facilities in Conestoga Township sewage-management districts.

    • Systems put in use within two years of the scheduled inspection are exempt from that district's initial inspection sequence.
    • The Township may increase inspection frequency for malfunction, past malfunction, frequent pump-outs, increased load or users, or good cause.

    reinspection interval: per 4 years (Within four years of the initial inspection.)

    “Reinspections shall be performed by the SEO within four years of the initial inspection. However, the SEO shall exempt any system put in use within two years of the scheduled inspection in accordance with the succeeding scheduled inspection from the initial inspection sequence for the district in which such system exists.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Uniform Construction Code administration and enforcement inside Conestoga Township.

    • Fees are established by the governing body by resolution from time to time; no amount was stated in the opened code chapter.
    “Fees assessable by Conestoga Township for the administration and enforcement undertaken pursuant to this chapter and the code shall be established by the governing body by resolution from time to time.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Construction-code administration and enforcement inside Conestoga Township.

    • The governing body determines the method by resolution from time to time.
    • Methods include Township code official, third-party agency, intermunicipal agreement, another municipality, or a Labor and Industry agreement for specified structures.
    “Administration and enforcement of the code within Conestoga Township shall be undertaken in any of the following ways as determined by the governing body of this municipality from time to time by resolution:”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Residential building construction inside Conestoga Township.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Conestoga Township.
  • Inspections — Residential building-code inspections inside Conestoga Township.
  • Certificate of occupancy — New residential occupancy inside Conestoga Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Conestoga Township.
9 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Conestoga Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Lancaster County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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