FAQs

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions about Jackson Township policies.

BURNING -

Are we allowed to burn trash, other items in Jackson Township? Do I need a permit to burn?

NO. Effective June 2013 the burning of any trash, refuse, brush, leaves, recyclable materials, wet garbage, or other matter which smolders in any fires is strictly prohibited.

Recreational fires for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes are permitted as long as the total fuel area is 3 feet or less in diameter, 2 feet or less in height and is at least 25 feet from a building or combustible material and 50 feet from a property line.

If the Fire Department is called to respond to an incident involving a fire not in compliance with this Ordinance or an out of control open burn or outdoor fire, the Fire Marshal or Fire Chief shall have the authority to bill the responsible person for reasonable costs incurred in responding to and extinguishing of the fire.

CURFEW -

What is curfew for minors in Jackson Township?

All minors under the age of 18 shall not stay out, loiter or be present on any property within Jackson Township between 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM unless they are on property owned by a parent or guardian or in the company of an adult guardian with the following exceptions:

If the minor is legally employed and is present on any property in the cause of employment.
If the minor possesses a senior driver’s license and is legally operating a vehicle pertaining to their employment.
If the minor is in the presence of approved adult chaperones, coaches or mentors where the minor is attending an activity sponsored by a school, religious, nonprofit, government, athletic or similar organization.
If the minor has in his/her possession a written permission note, dated the same day and signed by a parent/guardian, specifying the starting/ending times, place(s) purpose and the necessity of the minor being out after the curfew.

JUNK/TRASH -

What can the Township do about trash covered, littered properties?

An ordinance is in place to control trash covered properties, stagnant water in pools and overgrown weeds that may pollute the neighborhood or be considered a nuisance. Your concerns should be directed to the Township office.

JUNK VEHICLES -

What can the Township do about junk vehicles sitting on private property?

There is an ordinance regulating junk vehicles. The placing, leaving and abandoning of ALL unlicensed, unregistered and vehicles without a current inspection sticker is prohibited in Jackson Township. If you have a concern, call the Township office.

PERMITS -

When do I need a permit for property improvements that I am planning?

For ALL improvements, new construction, alterations and moving or demolition of structures you MUST obtain a township “Proposed Use Permit”. When you apply for this permit at the Township, the Township will advise you IF you will need to apply for a building permit in accordance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. You may obtain that permit at the Township Office also.

The chart reflects the most often requested information regarding permits, but before you start a project, call the Township office to find out what details you need to provide to apply for a permit. The Township staff will be glad to answer any questions or assist you in any way.

MOST IMPORTANT - P L A N A H E A D !
Building Permits can take up to 15 Business Days for Approval

PERMIT FOR	PROPOSED USE PERMIT NEEDED	BUILDING PERMIT NEEDED
Repairs such as roof, shingles, spouting, doors, replacement windows
Fencing	X
Repair, resurface driveway
New Driveway	X (and Driveway Permit)
Unattached garages, pole buildings and sheds	X	X (if 1000 sq.ft. or more)
Attached garages	X	X
Elevated decks less than 30" above grade	X
Elevated decks more than 30" above grade	X	X
Decks with roof (any)	X	X
ALL types of swimming pools Requirements for a Pool or Hot Tub/Spa	X	X (if more than 24" water)

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE -

What will the Township do about my neighbor’s yard, they never mow or clean up around their property?

The Township does have an ordinance regulating grass and weeds. All property owners need to maintain their yards in a residential zone by keeping their grass mowed to a six (6) inch height and in all other zones to a twelve (12) inch height.

ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM -

Why do I need to have my septic system regularly pumped and inspected?

The On-Lot Sewage Disposal System Management Program is to ensure that all property owners follow a few simple procedures to keep their on-lot sewage disposal systems properly maintained by periodic inspections and removal of accumulated solids from septic tanks. All septic system owners must have their septic tanks pumped out and inspected at least once every three years. The Township has been divided into three geographic districts for the purpose of administering the program. All septic system owners in a given district will receive notices from the Township at the beginning of a year directing them to have their systems pumped during that calendar year. Property owners must contract with a pumper/hauler (licensed by the York County Solid Waste and Refuse Authroity) to do the required pumping and inspection and reporting of results.

SEPTIC SYSTEMS -

YOU NEED PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PERMITS (which you should pick up at the Township building) FOR THE FOLLOWING:

NEW SYSTEMS: to construct an individual or community on-lot sewage system where there has never been any type of sewage system. Examples include new construction projects and conversion of a non-sewage producing facility into a sewage producing facility, such as renovating a barn into a residence or business.

MODIFICATION TO AN EXISTING SYSTEM: to make structural changes to the current individual or community on-lot sewage system designed for any purpose other than to effect a repair. This activity includes treatment system alterations required by a change in flows, wastestream characteristics, to facilitate maintenance activities (i.e., adding risers, inspection ports, etc.) or to simply enhance treatment. Examples include, expanding an on-lot system in response to adding additional bedrooms to a house, installation of a grease trap following conversion of a building into use as a restaurant, adding a riser to the surface for an existing buried septic tank, adding effluent filters or adding hardware that changes the treatment process from anaerobic to aerobic.

REPAIR TO EXISTING SYSTEM: to repair, replace or alter any component, combination of components or all components of an individual or community on-lot sewage system that are not working or are in need of repair to properly function. This category includes actions intended to correct an existing malfunction and those intended to prevent an impending malfunction. Examples include replacing broken pipes, sealing watertight joints, pumps, failed absorption areas, as well as, replacing cracked lids, gas deflectors and solid retainers. “Repair” does not include recognized maintenance activities such as cleaning, servicing or pumping septic tanks.

REFUSE COLLECTION -

Who do I call for trash pickup?

The state has required the township to mandate residential refuse collection for a quarterly fee, which is set by resolution. Each resident may place up to four (4) receptacles curbside that weigh up to 75 pounds each. In addition to the four receptacles of refuse, the resident is allowed one large item a week for collection (it is advisable to call the collector, Penn Waste (717-767-4456) ahead of time to let them know what object they will have to handle).

The Township also offers an alternate program to the quarterly fee refuse program. Residents may purchase “specially marked” trash bags from the refuse contractor. The waste hauler will pick these bags up on trash day.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT -

Why must I get a Stormwater Permit in addition to a Proposed Use and/or Building permit?

The Township revised their Stormwater Ordinance in November, 2011 to comply with mandates from the United States Federal Government to promote health, safety and the public welfare within the Township and its watersheds by minimizing stormwater harm to individuals and properties within the Jackson Township boundaries.

The purpose of the regulations is to:

Meet legal water quality requirements under state law to protect, maintain, reclaim and restore the existing and designated uses of the waters of Pennsylvania.
Preserve natural drainage systems as much as possible.
Manage stormwater runoff close to the source.
Provide procedures and performance standards for stormwater planning and management.
Maximize groundwater recharge to prevent degradation of surface and groundwater quality and to otherwise protect water resources.
Prevent scour and erosion of stream banks and stream beds.
Provide proper operation and maintenance of all Stormwater Best Management Practices that are implemented within the Township.
Provide standards to meet Federal NPDES permit requirements.

What does that mean to property owners in Jackson Township? Whenever a structure increases the impervious coverage on any property, that structure will be evaluated to determine what measures may be required to handle the increased run-off of stormwater on the site. Such measures could include a seepage bed or a seepage pit if deemed necessary.

Contact the Township Office to obtain the details you need to submit for a Stormwater Permit.

STREET OR ROAD CONDITION PROBLEMS -

Why haven’t the potholes on my street been repaired? Why hasn’t the snow been plowed?

Maintenance responsibility for the streets and roads in Jackson Township is shared between the Township Public Works Department, PennDOT and private property owners. See the “Street Name List” elsewhere on the website to see who has responsibility for which streets. Then call the appropriate office or persons:

Township Public Works - (717) 225-5661
PennDOT York County Maintenance - (717) 848-6230
Adjacent Private Property Owners - Your neighbors or the developer of an unfinished subdivision or housing development.

FAQs

BURNING -

CURFEW -

JUNK/TRASH

JUNK VEHICLES -

PERMITS -

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE -

ON-LOT SEPTIC SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM -

REFUSE COLLECTION -

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT -

STREET OR ROAD CONDITION PROBLEMS -

BURNING -

CURFEW -

JUNK/TRASH -

JUNK VEHICLES -

PERMITS -

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE -

ON-LOT SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM -

SEPTIC SYSTEMS -

REFUSE COLLECTION -

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT -

STREET OR ROAD CONDITION PROBLEMS -

Quick Reference