FAQs
Planning/Zoning/Building
Front Yard - The area contained between the street right-of-way(s) and the principal building. Corner lots shall have two front yards, one side, and one rear yard.
Rear Yard - A yard extending across the full width of a lot between the principal building and the rear lot line, and measured perpendicular to the building at the closest point to the rear lot line.
Side Yard - A yard extending from the front yard to the rear lot line between the principal building and the side lot line, and measured perpendicular to the building at the closest point to the side lot line; or a yard which is not a front or rear yard. On corner lots, the side yard shall be considered the area between the principal building and the lot lines directly opposite the non-address street.
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Rear Yard - A yard extending across the full width of a lot between the principal building and the rear lot line, and measured perpendicular to the building at the closest point to the rear lot line.
Side Yard - A yard extending from the front yard to the rear lot line between the principal building and the side lot line, and measured perpendicular to the building at the closest point to the side lot line; or a yard which is not a front or rear yard. On corner lots, the side yard shall be considered the area between the principal building and the lot lines directly opposite the non-address street.
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A property that has two street frontages.
Setbacks are distances between structures and property lines, and vary depending on the zoning district. Information for setback requirements for each zoning district can be found in Article 3 of the East Hempfield Township Zoning Ordinance linked below
East Hempfield Township Zoning Ordinance
East Hempfield Township Zoning Ordinance
An easement enables one person to use another’s property for a stated purpose. This could be a public use, such as water, electric or gas utility companies, or for a private one as an agreement between neighbors. There are three primary types of easements.
Right of way is a type of easement, but it works a little differently. What this term means is other people are allowed to pass through your property. The right of way may be a public or private option. For instance, if your neighbor’s house is located behind yours and has no way to reach the main road unless they pass through your property, this would be a private right of way. On the other hand, if a road passes through your property to access a beach, park or other public space, this would be considered to be a public right of way. The right of way has no effect on ownership.
Right of way is a type of easement, but it works a little differently. What this term means is other people are allowed to pass through your property. The right of way may be a public or private option. For instance, if your neighbor’s house is located behind yours and has no way to reach the main road unless they pass through your property, this would be a private right of way. On the other hand, if a road passes through your property to access a beach, park or other public space, this would be considered to be a public right of way. The right of way has no effect on ownership.
The specific purpose for which land or a structure is designed, arranged, intended, occupied or maintained.
Accessory Use - A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use or building and located on the same lot with this principal use or building.
Principal use - The main or primary use of property or structures.
Accessory Use - A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use or building and located on the same lot with this principal use or building.
Principal use - The main or primary use of property or structures.
A use, whether of land or of structure, which does not comply with the applicable use provisions in this chapter or amendment heretofore or hereafter enacted, where such use was lawfully in existence prior to the enactment of this chapter or amendment, or prior to the application of this chapter or amendment to its location by reason of annexation.
A variance is a use not permitted in a specific zone. A special Exception is a use generally compatible with a particular zone once specified criteria have been met.
Fences do not require a permit however they do have regulation for height and location. Fences may be 6 ft high in the side and rear yard and four ft high in the front yard. Fences may not be located within any drainage easement or street right-of-way.
chickens and other animals considered livestock are not allowed in residential zones. Only the Agriculture and Holding Zones.
Yes, however it must be at least 5 ft from the rear or side property line and must be confined within a structure.
Economic Development
The approximate population of East Hempfield is 26,300 people per the 2020 census.
No, however Red Rose Transit Authority does and provides several locations for service in the Township. Red Rose Transit Authority
Finance
The budget is posted on this website or you may visit the office and request a copy.
Audits and Budgets
Audits and Budgets
Fire Department
Generally there are three volunteer department that cover the Township. Rohrerstown, Hempfield and East Petersburg. We suggest that you contact the department closests to your residence to verify first call areas. Their contact information is available under emergency services.
Citizens are not allowed to do open burning of leaves or trash. Please review the current burning ordinance adopted in 2015 which can be found under forms/applications section of this website.
Forms page
Forms page
All departments in our area are volunteer and rely on citizen and Township financial support. Your cash contributions are necessary AND always welcome.
Home and Property Owner Q&A's
The property owner.
Wildlife, such as raccoons, squirrels, skunks, and groundhogs sometimes become a nuisance in residential areas. Wildlife management is the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Pa Game Commission offers some solutions to this problem on their Nuisance Wildlife webpage.
Here are the phone numbers for the Southeast Regional Office of the Pa. Game Commission:
610-926-3136 or 610-926-3137
Another solution is to contact a wildlife pest control agent
Here are the phone numbers for the Southeast Regional Office of the Pa. Game Commission:
610-926-3136 or 610-926-3137
Another solution is to contact a wildlife pest control agent
The Township does not maintain this information, a surveyor should be contacted. Your deed will provide you with dimensions. You can obtain a copy of your deed online or through a visit to the County Recorder of Deeds Office (www.lancasterdeeds.com), 717-299-8238
The PA One Call System's purpose is to prevent damage to underground facilities. To promote safety, they provide an efficient communication network among property owners, designers, contractors, and facility owners. Call 811 before you dig.
Yes, a permit is required and available by contacting the police department (898-3103).
Yard waste season generally begins in early April and runs through October. Check the Township calendar for exact dates.
Curbside leaf pickup generally begins in mid-October and ends in mid-December (weather permitting). Refer to the Township trash and recycling calendar for exact dates. There is also a dumpster behind the Township Building for drop off during this season.
You must first fill out a Property Maintenance Report Form (available on this site or at the Township Office). After the form is submitted to the Township, the property will be examined and it will be determined if there is a violation. Note: Grass must be at least 10" in height to be in violation.
Forms Page
Forms Page
Contact the Police Department (717) 898-3103.
The Township does not get involved in these types of neighbor issues. We suggest you first discuss the concern with your neighbor.
Parks & Recreation
The Township maintains several park areas with pavilions however the only pavilion that is rented is the one located at the A. Herr Park on Nissley Road. Forms are available in the forms and application section of the website.
Facility Rentals.
Facility Rentals.
Police Department
Contact the police department at 717-898-3103. There is a fee associated with copies.
No, however the Police Department will assist you in obtaining the services necessary, such as a certified locksmith, to unlock your vehicle.
Yes a permit is required and available by contacting the police department (898-3103).
Contact the Police Department (717) 898-3103.
2022 Dog Licenses Available at County Treasurers’ Offices; All Dogs Must be Licensed by Jan. 1
Lancaster County 2022 Dog Licensing
Pennsylvanians can purchase 2022 dog licenses from their county treasurers. State law requires all dogs three months and older to be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year.
An annual dog license is $8.50, or $6.50 if the animal is spayed or neutered. Lifetime licenses are available for dogs that have permanent identification like a microchip or tattoo. Older adults and people with disabilities may be eligible for discounts.
The dog license application is simple and only requests owner contact information and details about the dog being licensed, including name, age, breed and color.
Reasons for dog licensing include:
- If a dog gets lost, a license is the best way to get him/her back. A license helps animal control and shelters identify a dog and its rightful owners.
- It’s the law. All dogs three months and older must have a current license.
- The cost of a license is less than the penalty for being caught without one. Owners who fail to license their dogs could face a fine of up to $300 for each unlicensed dog.
- License fees support animal control. The annual fee to license a dog helps keep shelters running and supports the work of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which provides a number of vital services to protect dogs and the public. Last year, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement:
- Enforced health and safety regulations in kennels by licensing 2,428 such operations and conducting more than 5,200 inspections.
- Helped to secure more than 4,500 stray dogs, placing them in shelters until those that were licensed could be reunited with their owners.
- Issued more than 3,000 citations and filed 115 misdemeanor complaints for violations of the Dog Law, including failing to license dogs, abandoning dogs, and allowing them to run at large.
- Investigated nearly 1,500 dog bites, and they investigated and monitored 587 dogs that were deemed dangerous by magisterial judges.
Public Works
If you are having problems with your cable or internet service, please contact Comcast at 291-3000 (Lancaster office) directly. The Township's phone number is listed on your Comcast billing because we hold the franchise license for the use of our right's of way. The Township does not endorse or support this service.
Yes! Plow or shovel your snow to the side of your driveway, away from the flow of traffic. Clearing snow for a distance prior to your driveway allows the plow to "unload" before reaching it. By piling snow away from the direction of oncoming snowplows, the bulk of the snow will not be pushed back onto your driveway.
If possible write down the poll number. Outages can be reported on the PPL website or by calling the Township Office at 898-3100. Repairs can sometime take a week or two.
PPL website
PPL website
The Township does not handle either water or sewer.
Lancaster Area Sewer Authority
Hempfield Water Authority
Lancaster City Water
Lancaster Area Sewer Authority
Hempfield Water Authority
Lancaster City Water
Township Office
Public records, Board of Supervisor resolutions and ordinances, and other information can be requested by submitting an Open Records Request Form to the Township. Forms may be obtained from the Open Records Policy page under the Government Tab.
