|
Public Safety
Code Enforcement Office - Health Department - Highway Department
Police Department
Code Enforcement Office
The Code Enforcement Office is responsible for the administration and enforcement of a wide range of regulations. This department issues building permits, does plan reviews and conducts inspections of new construction, as well as existing structures for compliance with Township Codes. In addition, this department is also involved with regulations relating to flood plain management, zoning, subdivision/land development and on-lot sewage.
In general, building permits are required for all new construction, additions and alterations. Some specific examples of items requiring permits are: in-ground and above-ground swimming pools over eighteen inches deep, replacement windows, and any type of siding. Work considered normal maintenance or repairs does not require a permit. Fences are regulated by Township Ordinance; however, permits are not required.
Under the Township zoning ordinance, approval and issuance of Home Occupation Zoning Permits are required for those types of businesses that can be operated out of a residence.
Anyone who is considering building construction or remodeling or who has questions concerning development or use of a property is encouraged to contact the Code Enforcement Office.
The following forms are available on-line for your convenience: Application for Building Permit, Application for Zoning Permit, Application for Highway Occupancy Permit, Subdivision/Land Development Plan Service Agreement, Subdivision/Land Development Plan Time Extension Agreement, Subdivision/Land Development Plan Improvement Guarantee Completion Extension Agreement.
Please contact the Code Enforcement Office (717) 564-2551 or codes@swataratwp.com for information on use of forms and filing procedures.
Health Department
Reporting of animal bites: All animal bite cases in which an animal, wild or domestic, bites or scratches an individual should be reported immediately to the victim's family physician or the victim should proceed to the nearest emergency room depending upon the severity of the bite. The victim should follow the attending physician's advice concerning the care and treatment of the wound. The Health Department should also be immediately notified of the bite so that an investigation can be launched. If the animal is a wild animal and it is still in the immediate area the Health Department will attempt to capture the animal and send it to the laboratory to be tested for rabies. If the animal is a domestic animal the Department will seek to determine the vaccination status of the attacking animal. Domestic animals, regardless of their vaccination status, will be quarantined either in the animal owners home or at the Humane Society for a period of ten days. After the ten day period the animal owner must have the animal examined by a veterinarian to determine the animal's general health and condition. A health certificate stating the veterinarian's findings must then be furnished to the Health Department.
The Health Department can be reached Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 4:30p.m. at (717) 564-2551. Animal bites occurring after business hours or on weekends should be reported to the Swatara Township Police Department at (717) 564-2550.
Highway Department
 While snow removal from the roadways is at the forefront of winter activities, highway department crews constantly are involved with public safety issues throughout the year. Crews are responsible for cleaning nearly 3,000 storm inlets to help prevent damming and street flooding/freezing, shovel sidewalks at recreation sites and bridge walkways to aid pedestrian traffic, clear fire hydrants to allow firefighters easy access in emergencies, fill potholes, replace street signs, repair vehicles and equipment, and remove accumulated anti-skid at intersections.
In spring, crews focus on cleanup and maintenance. Equipment is power-washed, greased, and fluids are changed. Spreaders and plows are removed, repaired and stored away for next winter. While this in-house upkeep is going on, both street sweepers are busy cleaning up the applied anti-skid, debris and refuse that has accumulated on roadways since last fall. Roadside mowing operations also begin.
Summer is time to continue spring projects, to complete the paving program and start roadside cleanup. Special summer projects include installing new storm pipelines, clearing and dredging creeks, and trimming trees extending into the roadways. Pothole repairs, sign installations, street sweeping and general maintenance continue all summer.
Fall is the season for leaf collection. Weather permitting, collection begins the first week of November. If the majority of leaves fall earlier or later, the schedule is adjusted accordingly. Within twenty-five days crews collect approximately 300 truckloads and 120 sweeper loads of leaves.
Police Department
Swatara Police Department can be found by clicking here
Back to the Top
|
|
