CONESTOGA TOWNSHIP - HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS:
Below, you will find summaries of township laws, rules and helpful information that residents ask about the most. Full copies of any of the ordinances can be obtained by calling the township office.
BURN ORDINANCE:
* Burning is prohibited on Monday.
* Burning is prohibited from dusk until dawn Tuesday - Sunday.
* Fires must be in a container (fire ring or barrel).
* A competant adult must be on stand-by with an adequate water supply in case the fire gets out of control.
* All fires must be 50 ft. from all structures including trees.
* Southern Regional Police Department enforces the burn ordinance. You must call them if you wish to issue a complaint. The police station phone number is: 872-0352. Call 911 for emergencies.
* Bon Fires are given consideration by the board of supervisors. If you would like to schedule a bon-fire on your property, you must request permission by the board of supervisors by attending a meeting or in writing. If your request is granted, you will be required to notify the fire department of the date and time of your bon-fire.
* Burning of large brush piles is permitted as long as the above rules are followed. As a courtesy, it is recommended that you contact the fire department prior to burning large piles of brush.
* There is nothing that the township can do if your neighbor is burning things and you don't like the smell or the smoke.
* PA State Laws about burning tires and certain plastics supercede the township burning ordinance, therefore, there is no language in Conestoga Townships' Ordinance about not burning tires. If someone is burning tires, please contact the police department for direction. You may also contact DEP.
*The Conestoga Township Supervisors reserve the right to enact a burn ban during a drought. If this happens, residents will be notified on this web-site, as well as through the local newspaper and tv station.
* The County of Lancaster also reserves the right to enact a county-wide burn ban, If this occurs, Conestoga Township would automatically be included in the burn ban.
TRASH:
* Conestoga Township residents may choose their own trash hauler.
* Recycling is voluntary, not mandatory; contact your trash hauler for more information.
* You may choose to burn your trash.
* You may not let trash pile up on your property. The zoning officer (Jim Hindes, 872-4301, etxension 1) should be contacted if this is an issue.
NOISE:
* There is a noise ordinance.
* Agricultural equipment and activities are exempt.
* Contact the police department for more information and enforcement. 872-0352.
WEEDS:
* There is a weed ordinance which governs the height of grass and weeds.
* A homeowner is responsible for keeping their grass mowed and their weeds trimmed at all times. Grass and weeds should not exceed six inches in height.
* Contact the township office - 872-4301, if you have a complaint.
* The Township supervisors will not tolerate frivilous complaints between neighbors. Many times, your neighbor might be ill, or have a broken lawn mower or have other circumstances that render them unable to comply with this ordinance. Please remember, many times, these types of complaints can be handled by talking directly with your neighbor.
RENTERS:
* If you are a resident and you rent your house/property, please be advised that there are no township laws that govern landlord-tennant issues.
* The Conestoga Township Supervisors advise all renters to consider carrying renters insurance.
* If you have an issue with your landlord, or if you are a landlord and have an issue with your tennant, you are advised to get an attorney. The township cannot and will not get involved. We have had complaints of renters living in houses with mold, flooding, wet basements, unsanitary drinking water, etc. These are issues between tennant and landlord.
RAIL-TRAIL
In 2008, Conestoga Township received ownership of the Enola Low Grade Railroad land that is in the township. Since this land acquisition, some work has been done to make a more accessible trail. Grading work and tree trimming have been completed by the township road crew. Amtrak has completed the movement of high voltage power lines.
PERMITTED activities include: Walking, Running, Hiking, Cross-Country Skiing, Rock Climbing, Bicycling and Horseback Riding.
PROHIBITED activities include: Hunting and driving any motorized vehicle on the land. All activity of any kind is prohibited from dusk until dawn. Alcohol is prohibited.
Violators will be prosecuted by the Southern Regional Police Department - 872-0352.
PARKS:
Conestoga Township owns Ehrlich Park on Kendig Road. Residents are encouraged to use the park, which is home to the Conestoga Pool and the Conestoga Area Historical Society. There is a ball field and pavilion. The park is closed from dusk until dawn unless there are specific activites at the pool or historical society.
The Safe Harbor Park is owned by the Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation. Please call 872-5441 if you have interest in renting a pavilion there.
ANIMAL CONTROL:
If you find a dead animal on your property, you can dispose of it yourself or contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at (610) 926-3136 for more information.
If you find a dead large animal on the road (such as a deer), you can contact Lancaster County Radio Dispatch at 1-800-957-2677 to report the animal is large and obstructing the road. The appropriate department will be contacted to remove the deer.
TRICK OR TREAT:
Trick or Treat is always held on October 31 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, unless October 31 is on a Saturday or Sunday. If this is the case, trick or treat is held the Friday prior to October 31.
