Ordinance 198-2022 - Amendment to Chapter 163 Driveways - Road Access/Driveway Ordinance

- T. Franey, Zoning Officer

The following is a summary of West Vincent Township’s newly enacted Ordinance 198-2022 Amendment to Chapter 163 Driveways - Road Access/Driveway Ordinance.

A new permit has been created: Driveway and Road Occupancy.

The form is found under Building & Zoning/Permit Forms page of our website.

The Driveway Ordinance adopted in February 2022 requires a permit for substantial improvement to a driveway in the township. The permit is reviewed by the Township Engineer.

Substantial improvement is defined as “Improvements to a driveway that shall be deemed to be substantial”:

• Paving a driveway that has always been dirt or gravel,

• Installing a drainage pipe underneath the driveway to carry water along the road gutter,

• Grading or excavating within ten feet of the road right of way,

• Changing the original grading or design of the driveway,

• Any work that increases or otherwise affects stormwater flow or discharges within the cartway of any street.

Improvements that are NOT considered substantial:

• Seal coating work only,

• Improvements to your driveway that are more than 10 feet away from the right of way into your property,

• Improvements to your property that do not increase or affect the stormwater flow from within ten feet of your property line and into the road right of way.

Ways you can ensure your right of way access/driveway permit is approved in a timely manner:

• When you hire a contractor, let them know the township requires a permit for most driveway improvements and they are welcome to call the Township Permit Coordinator at 610-458-1601 to confirm if the work requires a permit.

• Drop off all required information needed for the permit application, including the fee, all at the same time.

• Give your contractor or designer the specifications according to the ordinance, located on our website.