Permits & Ordinances
The Township has adopted, through the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, the 2018 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Plumbing, Existing Building, Medical, and Energy Codes, as well as the 2017 National Electrical Code, 2018 International Fire Code and the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code. Accessibility issues are addressed through Chapter 11, Appendix E of the 2018 Edition of the Building Code.
Permits
Permits are required for, but not limited to, the following:
- Use and Occupancy of all new construction
- Use and Occupancy of all commercial and industrial properties
- Building construction or alteration
- Swimming Pools
- Sidewalk, curb & driveway ramps
- Sewage and plumbing work
- Street Openings
- Signs, Fences, Sheds
- Plumbing
- Demolition
- Electrical
- Mechanical
Need help with Township Codes? Click here for our Online Code Book
PA One Call "Call Before You Dig" 1-800-242-1776
Automobiles & Other Vehicles
Vehicles kept on residential property must have a valid registration and inspection sticker. Vehicles must be maintained in legal operating condition. Storage of unusable vehicles or parts is not permitted. Habitual or major repair of vehicles in residential districts is not permitted.
Public Right of Way
Public right-of-way is the area of ground designated for streets, curbs, and sidewalks and is to be kept clear for the public use. It may not be used for storage of vehicles, trash, building materials, heavy equipment, recreational vehicles or any other items. Mail box posts may not be a permanent construction such as masonry or structural steel. No trees or shrubs may be placed in the right-of-way and existing vegetation may not be replaced when it dies.
Ordinances
Upper Gwynedd Township is a planned community with Ordinances which regulate building, plumbing, zoning, and subdivision and land development matters. Copies of these Ordinances are available for examination or purchase at the Township Office.
The following are a few pertinent ordinances that residents should be aware of:
Spa/Massage
Weeds & Grass
Weeds, vines, and grass are to be cut often enough that they do not exceed twelve inches in height. Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Oak are not permitted to grow or remain on any property.
Open Space
Township Open Spaces are intended as green belt areas and are not to be used for organized sports. Motor vehicles, unleashed dogs, alcoholic beverages, private gardens, storage, the dumping of any material, or the discharge of firearms are prohibited in Open Space areas.
Snow & Ice
Sidewalk areas shall be cleared to a width of 24 inches within 24 hours after snow has ceased to fall. Ice must be removed from sidewalks unless it is frozen solid, in which case it should be strewn with sand, salt, ashes, sawdust, or similar material. Snow may not be placed in the street and fire hydrants must not be hidden or obstructed with snow.
During snow emergencies, which are announced on radio station WNPV 1440 AM and KYW 1060 AM, no vehicles may be parked or stand unattended on any street or highway within the Township.
The Township's process for snow removal after a significant snowfall is a 24-hour operation and the Township makes every effort to open every road as expeditiously as possible. When necessary, a private sub-contractor is engaged by the Township to aid in follow-up curb-to-curb snow removal.
No street or development is always the last to be plowed. It is the Township's policy to rotate the residential plowing schedule with each snowfall to ensure that no one neighborhood or street remains in the same position on the plowing schedule.
Snow removal takes time and is an imperfect process. The two most common complaints are damage to mailboxes and the plowing closed of previously-cleared driveways. There are no remedies to these problems. Your patience and understanding during the snow removal process are appreciated.
Open Burning
Open burning is prohibited in the Township since 1993.
House Numbers
Upper Gwynedd Township Code states that you must have your house number posted in a conspicuous location so it is visible from the street.