Answers to Most Common Questions
Where do I pay my taxes?
Property/Real Estate Taxes: East Marlborough Township uses Berkheimer to collect the township Real Estate Tax. The tax rate for East Marlborough is 2.183. Bills are mailed in early March. Residents receive a 2% discount if taxes are paid before May 1st and are assessed a 10% penalty if they are paid after July 1st.
How do I contact the East Marlborough Police?
East Marlborough has a part-time police department so in an emergency call 911. Please call 610-444-5075 to reach the police department for non-emergency issues.
When do I need a permit from the Township?
East Marlborough Township requires building permits for most construction projects. Permits are required to ensure that all construction activities meet the requirements of the ICC Building Codes. Examples of projects that require permits include: Stand-by Generators, Decks, Alterations that require moving any plumbing drain or electrical. Downloadable permits can be found under the Permit & Forms Tab. Please contact Charlie Shock at 610-220-9294.
What does the Zoning Hearing Process Entail?
The Zoning Hearing Board (“ZHB”) is an independent branch of local government that consists of residents of the Township, one of whom serves as its Chairperson. The Board is represented by an attorney who is called the Solicitor. The ZHB has jurisdiction of only those matters that are set forth in Section 909.1(a) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (the “MPC”). Jurisdiction includes matters such as substantive and procedural challenges to municipal land use ordinances, appeals from determinations by the Zoning Officer, requests for variances and applications for special exceptions. It also includes appeals from a determination by the Municipal Engineer or Zoning Officer, with reference to administration of any flood plain or flood hazard ordinance or such provision within a land use ordinance relating to use or dimensional requirements.
After receiving a Zoning Application/Appeal, the ZHB must hold a hearing within sixty (60) days unless the applicant waives this time requirement. The hearing must be advertised once a week for two (2) successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation. The hearing must be advertised no sooner than thirty (30) days prior to the hearing and no later than seven (7) days prior to the hearing, in accordance with the MPC. The property that is the subject of the zoning appeal must be posted and neighboring landowners may be notified by mail depending on the township’s current ordinance requirements.
Although the ZHB is not required to follow formal rules of evidence at its hearings, it does conduct a formal hearing which is similar to a court proceeding. A court stenographer is present to make a record of the hearing. Members of the ZHB are not permitted to communicate with the applicant, his or her representatives, or any other person interested in the application, except at the time of the hearing. The ZHB, as a quasi judicial body, may only hear and receive evidence that is given under oath and that is subject to cross examination.
Neither an applicant nor an objector is required to retain an attorney for the preparation of the application or participation in the hearing. However, neither the ZHB nor its Solicitor can provide legal advice to participants at the hearing. It is the burden of the applicant to prove his or her case and to submit evidence that supports the application. It is not the responsibility of the ZHB to gather evidence or information for the applicant.
At the hearing, the applicant and other witnesses will first respond to questions posed by counsel. Thereafter, the applicant may be questioned by members of the ZHB and then by citizens. The purpose is to ask questions about the testimony of the witness just given. An objector will have the opportunity to present testimony later in the hearing. The objector will be subject to cross-examination by the applicant and is subject to questioning by members of the ZHB and its Solicitor.
The function of the ZHB is to receive information and evidence so that it can make a decision on the relief requested by the applicant. The applicant and any other interested person or party, whether in favor of or opposed to the Application, must be prepared at the time of the hearing to present information and evidence to the ZHB. The ZHB will endeavor to make a decision at the conclusion of the last hearing. However, the law allows the Board forty-five (45) days from the date of the last hearing in which to make a decision. Some zoning appeals involve complicated issues that require more extensive thought and discussion by the ZHB prior to a decision. After a verbal decision is rendered, the ZHB Solicitor will prepare a written decision to be signed by all members of the Board who were present at the hearing. The written decision must be circulated within forty-five (45) days of the final hearing.
An applicant, or an interested citizen who has requested to be granted party status during the hearing, may appeal the decision of the ZHB to the Court of Common Pleas, Chester County, Pennsylvania, within thirty (30) days of the date of this decision. One does not have to enter an appearance as a party in order to ask questions of witnesses. The ZHB is not the governing body of the municipality. The ZHB can be considered to be the judicial branch of the local government for zoning matters that are separate and distinct from the governing body – which is the Board of Supervisors. The ZHB interprets land use ordinances and serves as the first avenue of appeal from determinations by the Zoning Officer.
This above summary is intended to give a general overview of the process involved and should not be considered legal advice to be relied upon by the applicant or other participants in the process.
Hearing Timeline
Applications may be submitted at any time, except for appeals from a zoning officer decision.
which must be filed within 30 days.
- Property posted notice: at least one week prior to the hearing.
- Hearing must occur within 60 days from the date of receipt of the application.
- 45 days maximum between additional hearings
- 100 days for applicant to complete applicant’s case (at least seven hours of hearings; 100 days
for opponents) - 45 days to render a written decision, or findings, after the last hearing.
Does East Marlborough Township have a Notary?
Yes, East Marlborough Township has a notary. The Township offers this free service to East Marlborough residents. Please call for an appointment so we can best accommodate you as there is no guarantee the notary with be in the office.
Is recycling required?
Residents must separate recyclable materials from other waste. Recyclables include: metal food and beverage containers and empty aerosol cans clear and colored glass plastics #1-3, 5 and 7, newspapers, cardboard, etc.
Chester County Solid Waste Authority – Facebook
Who handles snow removal on roadways?
East Marlborough Township is responsible for the maintenance and clearing of snow on Township and State roads. In some communities, private contractors are hired to remove snow from common areas, sidewalks, etc. Please contact your Homeowners Association for more information. If you live in a new community in which the roads have not yet been dedicated, a private contractor will handle snow removal until such time as the Township accepts dedication of the roads.
Are public water and sewer available in East Marlborough Township?
Approximately half of the township is connected to the East Marlborough Township Sewer Company, the rest are serviced by on-site septic systems. Both Aqua PA and Chester Water have water lines that run through the township but only about half of the township is connected, the remainder have on-site wells.
Who provides utility services in East Marlborough Township?
Electric and natural gas services are provided by PECO: 1-800-494-4000. Comcast and Verizon have franchise agreements to provide cable and internet services in East Marlborough Township. Comcast: 1-800-XFINITY, Verizon: 1-800-VERIZON
Does the township provide trash removal service?
No, it is the responsibility of individual property owners to arrange for their own trash pickup. Residents must hire a private trash hauler who will pick up recyclables and trash at least once a week.
Are there recreation opportunities in East Marlborough Township?
The newly opened Unionville Community Park has a mile of paved walking trails as well as a picnic pavilion and tot lot. The Kennett Area YMCA offers a variety of sports leagues and exercise options. The Unionville Recreation Association (URA) youth sports programs include Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse (Boys and Girls), Field Hockey, and Basketball (Boys and Girls). KAU is a Little League program that is open to players who reside in both the Unionville-Chadds Ford and Kennett Consolidated School Districts. The Little League Program is designed for players of all skill levels and age groups. Kennett Area Parks and Recreation (KAPRB.com) offers recreational opportunities for youth in the area. Southern Chester County Soccer Association (SCCSA) holds Spring and Fall Recreation Soccer Leagues as well as competitive travel teams. Pets must remain confined to the owner’s property or under control of the owner at all times. The SPCA enforces township pet regulations. To contact the SPCA, call (610) 692-6113.
State vs. Township vs. Private Roads
STATE Roads in East Marlborough Township include:
- East & West Street Road (Rt. 926)
- Unionville-Wawaset Road (Rt. 842E)
- Upland Road (Rt. 842W)
- Lenape Road (Rt. 52)
- Baltimore Pike (Rt. 1)
To report an issue with a State road (please see list above), including potholes and other road problems, please contact the PennDOT maintenance hotline at: 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623) or use this link to access PennDOT’s concern form.
Reporting potholes and other road problems on TOWNSHIP roads:
For problems with Township roads (any road not included in the list of State roads above), please call the Public Works Department at 610-444-1375 or send an e-mail to jsimpson@eastmarlborough.org.
Reporting potholes and other road problems on PRIVATE roads within HOA developments, please contact your property management company and/or your elected Homeowners Association Board.
For dead deer removal:
Contact PennDOT at (484) 340-3200 for State roads only: Routes 926 (W. Street Rd.), 842 (Unionville-Wawaset Rd.), and 52 (Lenape Rd.), plus Pocopson, Lenape-Unionville, Wawaset, Red Lion and Northbrook Roads
Contact the PA Game Commission at (610) 926-3136 or (610) 926-1966 for Township roads only – i.e., any other road in the Township not identified above as a State road.
County Community Resource Guide
The County’s Community Resources Guide (available in English and Spanish) is a comprehensive document that lists 20 pages-worth of valuable information found through the County’s Human Services Departments: Food and housing assistance; resources for substance abuse and mental health treatment; transportation resources; services for seniors; legal and credit counseling; and education and employment resources. While you may not need any of these services now, there is a chance that you, or someone you know and love, may need them in the future.
Township Taxes
Collected by:
- Berkheimer (Real Estate Tax Bill, including Sewer)
- Keystone (Local Services Tax only)
Please contact Berkheimer for any questions regarding Township Taxes:866-300-1714
County & School District Taxes
Please contact the County Tax office at 610-344-6105 or address them at 313 W. Market Street Suite 3602 West Chester, PA
Please contact either Unionville Chadds Ford School District 610-347-0970 for school taxes or Kennett Consolidated School District at 610-444-6600
School District Map
Unionville-Chadds Ford School District
Kennett Consolidated School District
Sanitary Sewer System
Link to download above form: GrinderPumpInfo
How often should maintenance be performed on my on-site sewage system?
According to the Chester County Health Department, “… it is important to have regular maintenance performed on an on-lot sewage system to ensure that it will function properly. The frequency of pumping depends on the capacity of the septic tank, the amount of wastewater generated, and the volume of solids in the wastewater. The more people per household, the more frequently the tank will have to be pumped. Generally, the system should be pumped every two to three years.” For information regarding township sewer service fees, please contact the township: 610-444-0725.
SewerFYI
Voting Locations
Charles Patton Middle School
760 Unionville Rd Kennett Square, PA 19348
Kennett Square Missionary
408 Bayard Rd Kennett Square, PA 19348
Voter Services
Willowdale Chapel has been moved to Charles Patton Middle School
https://www.votespa.com/Pages/default.aspx