GENERAL PERMIT/ORDINANCE

TYPES OF COMMON PERMITS/APPROVALS:

Building (i.e. Construction) Permits – To be approved by the Department of Labor & Industry and/or a licensed third party agency. Labor and Industry phone number is 412-851-0431, 717-772-9555, or 717-787-3806.

Common Nuisance Ordinances – Used vehicles (not currently licensed and inspected), appliances, machinery, or other solid waste cannot be stored or accumulated on private property. Unsafe buildings or structures must be repaired or removed; grass and weeds must be maintained at 6” in height or less, public nuisances such as loud noises, barking dogs, open excavations, unfinished buildings, mud, smoke, etc., are prohibited.

Conditional Use – Certain listed uses which may be suitable in certain locations only when specific conditions and factors are present, which are reviewed by the Planning Agency and permitted or denied by the Board of Commissioners. (Chapter 195 of the Township Code).

Driveways/Road Openings – New driveways, widening of existing driveways, or road excavations, within road right-of-ways require a permit to be issued by the Township Engineer. (Chapter 166 of the Towmship Code)

Grading – Disturbed areas over five (5) acres require a Township Permit issued by the Zoning Officer.

Highway Occupancy - Hauling over the weight limit on road(s) will require a permit plus a bond to be determined and inspected by the Township Engineer (Chapter 187 of the Township Code)

Miscellaneous – Prior to review and issuance of any Township Permits/Approvals, any and all other state and federal permits must be issued first, such as PennDOT (driveways), DEP (mining, flood plains, stream encroachments, sewage, air quality, etc.), Labor and Industry (UCC), Westmoreland County Conservation District (erosion and sedimentation and stormwater) and all others.

Occupancy Permit – Required prior to use or occupancy of any vacant land; use or occupy any structure constructed, re-constructed, moved, altered or enlarged; change the use of a structure or land to a different use; change a non-conforming use (i.e. a use established prior to adoption of October 5, 1970 zoning ordinance) to a conforming use.

Rental Occupancy – Landlords must report all tenants to the township.

Re-Zoning – Change of property zoning requires review by the Planning Agency and approval by the Board of Commissioners.

Sewage – Tap-ins to existing sanitary sewers require approval by the Rostraver Township Sewage Authority (724-930-7667). Permits for new on-lot sewage systems or repairs to existing systems are approved by the Township’s Sewage Enforcement Officer after necessary soil testing.

Signs – All advertising signs must be permitted by the Zoning Officer. Off site business signs (billboards) are conditional uses to be additionally approved by the Board of Commissioners. Electronic variable message signs need approval from the Zoning Hearing Board for a special exception. ( Chapter 195 of the Township Code ).
... SIGN APPLICATION
... SIGN PERMIT WAIVER APPLICATION
... (BILL BOARDS) OFF SITE BUSINESS SIGNS

Solicitation Permit – Non-profit organizations – per day is $10.00 per location, Profitable organizations – per day is $35.00 per location/per week is $200.00 per location/per month is $600.00 per location/per year is $5,000.00 per location.
... SOLICITATION FORM-PROFIT
... SOLICITATION FORM- NON-PROFIT

Special Exception – Certain listed uses require review and approval by the Township’s Zoning Hearing Board prior to permit issuance, including home occupations (small business activity operated from residential home). ( Chapter 195 of the Township Code ).

Stormwater Management – Any land activities creating an impervious area of 1,000 square feet or greater or involving earth disturbance of 5,000 square feet or greater, shall submit and obtain approval from the Township Engineer. (see Chapter 164 of the Township Code ).
... STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN(updated)
... STORMWATER MANAGEMENT EXEMPTION

Subdivision/Land Developments – Division of a single tract of land into two or more lots by lot lines, buildings, building groups, streets, alleys, parking areas, or lease holds or development of a lot with a single non-residential building or two or more residential buildings requires review by the Planning Agency and approval by the Board of Commissioners. (see Chapter 175 of the Township Code ).
... PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION FORM
... SIMPLE SUBDIVISION APPLICATION
... FINAL SUBDIVISION FORM
... LAND DEVELOPMENT

Variances/Zoning Appeal – Hardship or dimensional variances for physical circumstances on property are reviewed and approved by the Zoning Hearing Board.

Zoning Permit – Dwellings, garages, sheds, carports, mobile homes, inground pools, additions, porches, decks, commercial or industrial buildings, barns, stables, silos, structural repairs, miscellaneous structures, grading, etc. No permits are needed for non-structural repairs such as siding, shingles, interior remodeling, fence, sidewalks, above ground pools, etc.

Third Party Agency: http://www.dli.state.pa.us/

FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE OBTAINED BY
CONTACTING THE TOWNSHIP’S
ZONING/SEWAGE/ORDINANCE OFFICER AT (724) 929-8877