FAQs
Burning in the Borough
There is NO OPEN BURNING in the Borough of Souderton.
- Items must be in a non-combustible container
- The container must be a recreational approved container. Example would be a fire pit that you could purchase from a hardware store.
- IN BACKYARDS ONLY container must be at least 20' from nearest property (your property or neighbor's property)
- Burning must be NO CLOSER THAN 16' from nearest structure (example: a shed or garage)
- Burning MUST BE CLEAN WOOD ONLY. No Burning of leaves or grass clippings.
If you see any violations, please contact our Code Enforcement Officer at 215-723-4371 as the violation is happening. Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30am -5 pm. *If it is after hours, please contact the Souderton Borough Police Department at 911.
Home Renovation Tips
For many Souderton Borough homeowners, summer is a time for home improvement and construction projects! To best protect yourself from home improvement fraud, remember to complete these 4 research steps before hiring a contractor for home renovation work:
- All contractors must be registered with the state. Search for registered contractors on the Attorney General of Pennsylvania’s website
- Check out your contractor’s company with the Better Business Bureau
- Call your contractor’s references
- Always obtain more than 1 bid for your home improvement project
MAP OF WARDS/ Polling Locations/ Voter Registration
Polling Locations https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/PollingPlaceInfo.aspx
Ward 1: Indian Valley Boys and Girls Club - 115 Washington Ave
Ward 2: Zion Mennonite Church - 149 S Front St (Front St & Cherry Ln)
Ward 3: Souderton Mennonite Church - 105 W Chestnut St
New Lead Paint Requirements
Are you renovating, repairing or painting a home, childcare facility or school built before 1978?
As of April 22, 2010, federal law requires that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb more than 6 square feet of paint in homes, childcare facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and trained to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
- For your protection, make sure you only hire a contractor who is in a Lead-Safe Certified Firm. Find a Lead-Safe Certified Firm near you
- Read about the EPA's requirements for renovation, repair and painting.
- Read the Environmental Protection Agency’s brochure on Renovation, Repair and Painting.
Obtaining a Marriage License or Death Certification
Obtaining a Marriage License or Death Certification are done through Montgomery County-Norristown PA. Please click the links below for more information on how to Obtain them.
http://www.montcopa.org/204/Obtaining-a-Marriage-Record
http://www.montcopa.org/353/Recorder-of-Deeds
Paying Taxes
Donald D Bergey is the Tax Collector for Souderton Borough. His office is located at the Souderton Borough Office. Office hours: Monday AND Thursday 11 am to 5 pm. Check the top of your tax bill to see any additional hours. For more information on Tax Certifications, please contact Donald Bergey at 215-207-1077. Payments may be placed in the 24/7 payment box at the Souderton Borough Office or mailed directly to his PO BOX. Mailing address is PO BOX 64024 Souderton PA 18964.
Permits
- Curb, Sidewalk and Driveway Construction
- New Construction, Alterations to Buildings
- DEMOLITION PERMIT -demolition of residential or non-residential structures.
- Plumbing
- Roof
- Sheds
- Electrical/Solar Panels/New service (Meter Replacement)/Generators)
- Sale of your Home (Use and Occupancy Permit) Also need Sewer/Trash and Tax Certification
- Signs- please email Steve@soudertonborough.org for details on this permit
- Decks/Patios
- Fences
- Swimming Pools: Above Ground 24 inches or greater and All In Ground
- SPAS
- Solicitations (Contact Police Department) 215-723-6500
- Yard/Garage Sale
- COMMERCIAL KITCHEN HOOD, DUCT AND EXHAUST EQUIPMENT
- MECHANICAL PERMIT PROCEDURES-Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning for new construction, renovations, alterations, fireplaces and insert, wood and gas stoves
Contact the Souderton Borough Office before starting any construction to ensure that your project complies with various building and zoning ordinances. The Borough will need a copy of your plans, estimated construction cost, and contractor information. Visit Forms to get permits and view the Fee Schedule. Please note with Fees, the state fee on permits has increased from $4.00 to $4.50.
Please contact our office to set up inspections at 215-723-4371.
Property Maintenance
FENCES - A fence permit is required to construct or replace a fence. Fences shall not exceed 6 feet in height in rear yards, with a maximum height of 4 feet in front yards. Fences in front yards must be designed to be open and ornamental. The finished side (smooth side) of the fence must be oriented to your neighbor. A professional surveyor should be contacted if you do not know where your property pins or monuments are located for your property. The property lines must be clearly visible or surveyed as a condition of the permit.
GRASS - Regular mowing is required. Grass shall not exceed six inches.
POOLS - Must be 10 feet from property lines. In-ground pools must be enclosed with a minimum 4' high fence and locking gate. Above ground pools must have removable ladders or fence-enclosed ladders and deck areas.
RECYCLING/TRASH REMOVAL - In January 2016 we went to the single hauler in the Borough. JP Mascaro is the provider. Any issues you should be contacting the Borough office on your trash day. Please make sure your trash is out by 6:00 am on Thursdays. Make sure your cans are out to the property line. Red can is for trash and blue lid can is for the recycling. Please only put recyclables in the tote with the blue lid.
SNOW REMOVAL - Sidewalks must be cleared within 24 hours after cessation of snow. Clear a path of at least 30 inches wide.
SUMP PUMPS - Sump pumps cannot be discharged to sanitary sewer lines. Please redirect sump pump discharges from streets or sidewalks between November and March to avoid ice hazards.
TREES/SHRUBS - Trees must be trimmed to at a height of less than 7 feet over sidewalks and away from street signs and stop signs. Shrubbery must be trimmed to avoid overhanging onto sidewalks.
CURB/SIDEWALK - Property owners are responsible for the construction or replacement of curb and sidewalk. A permit is required for repair or replacement for any curb and sidewalk. Must be replaced prior to any scheduled road reconstruction activity or prior to the sale or transfer of the property as part of the Borough’s Certificate of Occupancy permit.
Residential Rental Registration and Inspection Program
ATTENTION ALL RESIDENTIAL RENTAL OWNERS- owners of non-owner-occupied properties
Senate Bill No. 607 of November 2013; requires all residential multifamily and/or apartment buildings who use fossil fuel-burning heaters, appliances or have an attached garage to install carbon monoxide detectors. Occupants are required to test carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
Since 1991, owners of rental properties have been required to regularly report the names of tenants to the Borough Office. This program has yielded only moderate results, prompting the adoption of Souderton Borough Council Ordinance No 647 on October 4, 2004, which completely revamps the reporting process for rental properties.
The goal and objective of Ordinance No 647 on October 4, 2004, is to provide for the equitable distribution of tax levies; protect and promote health, safety and welfare of the resident. This ordinance encourages owners and tenants of rental units to maintain such units in a well maintained, safe and sanitary conditions. While also developing and maintaining a comprehensive data base of contacts to better help the police, fire and medical responds to emergencies that may occur within rental properties.
Since 2004 the Borough has required every owner of rental property to annually file registration information with the Borough, including tenant information and contact information. This data is maintained by the Code Enforcement Officer and Police for purposes of making contacts in emergency situations. Tenant information will also be shared with the local tax collectors. To help defray administrative expenses, there is an annual registration fee to register a rental property, payable to Souderton Borough, which should be enclosed with the registration form. Upon submission of the required information, the Code Enforcement Officer will issue a Certificate of Occupancy for display in a common area of the building.
Regulations also require inspections of all rental units to verify compliance with life, safety issues and the Property Maintenance Code. The inspections will occur every three years. The inspection schedule is broken down by the three wards in Souderton Borough. Invoices will be sent out annually.
If you should have any questions or require assistance in completing a rental registration form, please feel free to contact our office. This form can be emailed to lmcguigan@soudertonborough.org or dropped off/mailed to 31 W Summit St, Souderton, PA 18964.
The Borough is to be notified of any changes to tenants as they are moving in or out within 10 business days. This information can be emailed to lmcguigan@soudertonborough.org. Keeping this information updated helps the Police, Tax Collector, and school district know who is living in the Borough.
Selling Your Home?
A Use and Occupancy Permit is required prior to the sale of residential or commercial properties. The purpose of this permit is to verify that the current or proposed use of the property complies with Zoning and Building Codes. The fees vary for each type of building usage. The fees are as followed Single Family Residential Fee is $120.00, Multi-family Residential (up to four units) is $140.00, and Commercial or multi-family residential over 4 units up to 2, 000 SQ is $150.00, and for commercial or multi-family over 4 units and over 2000 sq fee is $150 plus .50 per square ft over 2000. Questions on exact fee for commercial or multi-family over 4 units should be directed to Steve Toy. The paperwork should be submitted to our office at least 30 days before settlement. An inspection of your property is required and should be completed 30 days prior to the scheduled settlement to provide time to address any problems. Any reinspection, if second inspection is required will have a fee of $50.00.
Along with submitting your use and occupancy application please put in writing that you are requesting a sewer and trash certification. With the certification you will get the outstanding balance on the Sewer and Trash accounts. There is a $35.00 fee for the Certification for Trash and $35.00 fee for the Certification for Sewer please make sure they are on separate checks. These should be sent to: Souderton Borough, Attn: Maryjane Yoder, 31 W Summit ST, Souderton PA 18964. Any payments submitted on the same check will be returned.
Also please make sure you are contacting North Penn Water, PPL and PECO to let them know of the settlement date. Sewer and trash will be handled by our office.
We will send all paperwork the day before settlement to the settlement company's information on the U&O Form.
Sewer Bills
The amount of your sewer bill is based on the number of residential or commercial units on your property and the volume of water consumption as metered by the North Penn Water Authority. Excessive water consumption is caused by watering lawns, washing cars and driveways, or leaking plumbing fixtures and will be reflected in the higher sewer bills.
Payments may be made by mail or in person at the Borough Office. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Borough accepts Cash, Check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and Debit cards. Starting in December of 2016, there will be a convenience fee of 2.45% Min of $3.00 for every card used for card payment. The Borough had been absorbing all of the fees for years and with the new processer MuniciPAY they now retain the processing fee. Please see the online bill pay site for more information on credit card payments. There is no additional fee for Cash or Check payments.
Payments after hours maybe deposited in the silver drop box labeled (24/7 drop box). This box is located on the wall, between the sets of doors in the front vestibule at the Borough Office Building.
BILL INFORMATION
Sewer
SEWER BILLING SEND 1st WEEK DUE 2nd WEEK
1st Quarter - Dec, Jan, Feb Billed: May Due: 2nd Fri in June
2nd Quarter - Mar, Apr, May Billed: Aug Due: 2nd Fri in Sep
3rd Quarter - Jun, Jul, Aug Billed: Nov Due: 2nd Fri in Dec
4th Quarter - Sept, Oct, Nov Billed: Feb Due: 2nd Fri in Mar
Trash
TRASH BILLING SEND 1st WEEK DUE 2nd WEEK
1st Quarter - Jan, Feb, Mar Billed: Jan Due: 2nd Fri in Feb
2nd Quarter - Apr, May, Jun Billed: April Due: 2nd Fri in May
3rd Quarter - Jul, Aug, Sept Billed: July Due: 2nd Fri in Aug
4th Quarter - Oct, Nov, Dec Billed: Oct Due: 2nd Fri in Nov
In 2016 Souderton Borough went with a single hauler trash service. You will receive your bill from Souderton Borough not the trash company. The bill will look similar to your sewer bill. The writing on your trash bill will be Green verses the Red color of the sewer bill. Your trash bill is a flat rate of $127.00 per unit per quarter. For more information on the Trash service please go to the Trash/Recycle page on this website.
What is Recyclable - please see Trash/Recycling page
See what items are recyclable and how to dispose of other items that you might have.
http://www.montcopa.org/1923/A-Z-RECYCLING-WHAT-TO-DO-WHEN-YOURE-DONE
Yard Sales
Anyone wishing to conduct a yard sale must obtain a Yard Sale Permit from the Borough Office. There is no fee for the yard sale permit. At your own convenience, you may call or walk - in to the Borough Office and provide your name, address and sale dates to pick up the permit.
Residents are permitted to have 2-yard sales per year. A single yard sale can extend over two consecutive days and count as one yard sale. Remember, do not post yard sale signs on utility poles or street signs.