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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 215-723-6500.

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:

  1. All contractors must be registered with the state. Search for registered contractors on the Attorney General of Pennsylvania’s website
  2. Check out your contractor’s company with the Better Business Bureau
  3. Call your contractor’s references
  4. 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.

  1. 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
  2. Read about the EPA's requirements for renovation, repair and painting.
  3. 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 31 W Summit St. He is in the office on Monday AND Thursday 11 am to 5 pm. Check the top of your tax bill to see if he has any additional hours. His Mailing address is PO BOX 64024 Souderton PA 18964. If you need to contact Donald, his phone number is 215-207-1077. Tax Certifications are $40.00 contact Don for more information on Tax Certs.

Permits

Permits are required for: 

  • 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.

Contact our office to set up inspections at 215-723-4371 any one of the ladies that can set up appointments for you.

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 of the fence must be oriented to your neighbor. There is no setback requirement from property lines. Corner lots may require additional setbacks to maintain visibility at intersections. 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 required so as not to 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 6:30 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 a height of 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. Deteriorated 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 apartment buildings who use fossil fuel-burning heater or appliances or have an attached garage to install centrally located in the vicinity of sleeping rooms and the heater room carbon monoxide detectors within 18 months of notice. Occupants are required to test and maintain batteries in such devices.

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 this new comprehensive program is to provide for the equitable distribution of tax levies; protect and promote health, safety and welfare of the residents and particularly the occupants of rental units; encourage owners and tenants of rental units to maintain such units in a well maintained, safe and sanitary condition and develop and maintain a comprehensive data base of information and contacts to better respond to police, fire and medical 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 periodic inspections of all rental units to verify compliance with life and safety issues and the Property Maintenance Code. The inspections will occur every three to four years. The inspection schedule is broken down by the three wards in Souderton Borough.

We hope that this program will be beneficial for all parties involved. Please feel free to contact our office at 215-723-4371 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm if you should have any questions or require assistance in completing a rental registration form. This form can be Fax to 215-723-5569 emailed to lmcguigan@soudertonborough.org or dropped off at office located 31 W Summit St Souderton PA.

The Borough is to be notified of any changes to tenants as they are moving in or out. This 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. This form can be found here on the website under Forms and Use and Occupancy. 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. 

Please put in writing that you are requesting a sewer cert. With this you will get the outstanding balance for Sewer and Trash. This can be sent in with the U&O application. There is a $35.00 fee for the Certification for Trash and $35.00 fee for the Certification for Sewer. These should be sent to: Souderton Borough, Attn: Maryjane Yoder, 31 W Summit ST, Souderton PA 18964. We will need three separate checks submitted. One Check for Trash Cert, one for Sewer cert and one for the U&O Fee all made payable to the Borough of Souderton. Any payments submitted on the same check will be returned. 

Also please make sure you are contacting North Penn Water to let them know of the settlement date.

We will send all paperwork the day before settlement to the contact 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 caused by watering lawns, washing cars and driveways, or leaking plumbing fixtures will be reflected in higher sewer bills.

Payments may be made by mail or in person at the Borough Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. The Borough accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and debit cards. In December of 2016 there will be a fee of 2.45% Min of $3.00 for every card used at the Borough. 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.

Payments after hours can be deposited in the drop box located in the front vestibule of the Municipal Building.

Pay Your Bill Online

BILL INFORMATION
SEWER BILLING SEND 1st WEEK DUE 2nd WEEK

1st Quarter - Dec 1 to March 1 Bill: May Due:2nd Fri in June
2nd Quarter - March1 to June1 Bill Aug Due: 2nd Fri in Sep
3rd Quarter - June 1 to Sept 1 Bill Nov Due:2nd Fri in Dec
4th Quarter - Sept 1 to Dec 1 Bill: Feb Due:2nd Fri in March

Trash Bills

TRASH BILLING INFORMATION
SEND 1st WEEK DUE 2nd WEEK

1st Quarter - Jan1 to March1 Bill: Jan Due: 2nd Fri in Feb
2nd Quarter - April 1 to July 1 Bill April Due: 2nd Fri in May
3rd Quarter - July 1 to Oct 1 Bill: July Due: 2nd Fri in Aug
4th Quarter - Oct 1 to Jan1 Bill 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.

Pay Your Bill Online

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. Call the Borough Office and provide your name, address and sale dates and pick up your permit at your convenience.

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.