Second Class Township Code Online

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SECOND CLASS TOWNSHIP CODE

Act of May 1, 1933 (P.L. 103, No. 69)

Reenacted and amended November 9, 1995 (P.L. 350, No. 60)

As Amended

AN ACT

Concerning townships of the second class; and amending, revising, consolidating and changing the law relating thereto.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

Section 101. Short Title.

Section 102. Definitions.

Section 103. Excluded Provisions.

Section 104. Construction of Act Generally.

Section 105. Constitutional Construction.

Section 106. Construction of References.

Section 107. How Act Applies.

Section 108. Saving Clauses When Class of Township Changed.

Section 109. Legal Advertising.

ARTICLE II. CLASSIFICATION, CREATION, REESTABLISHMENT
AND CHANGE OF NAME OF TOWNSHIPS

Section 201. Classification of Townships.

Section 202. Reestablishment of Townships.

Section 203. Creation of Townships by Annulment of Charter of Borough.

Section 204. Classification of New Townships.

Section 205. Appointment and Election of Officers of New Townships.

Section 206. Certificates of Clerk of Court; Fee; Penalty.

Section 207. Change of Name of Township.

ARTICLE III. TOWNSHIP LINES AND BOUNDARIES

Section 301. Stream Boundaries.

Section 302. Ascertainment of Boundaries.

Section 303. Petition to Court; Commissioners’ Report.

Section 304. Exceptions and Procedure.

Section 305. Costs.

Section 306. Adjustment of Indebtedness.

Section 307. Adjustment for Costs or Values of Improvements.

ARTICLE IV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS; VACANCIES IN OFFICE

Section 401. Township Officers to be Electors.

Section 402. Officers to be Elected.

Section 403. Supervisors.

Section 404. Auditors.

Section 405. Assessor.

Section 406. Tax Collector.

Section 407. Vacancies in General.

ARTICLE V. TOWNSHIP OFFICERS GENERALLY

Section 501. Oath of Office.

Section 502. Bonds.

Section 503. Removal for Failure to Perform Duties.

ARTICLE VI. TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS

Section 601. Supervisors and Government of Townships.

Section 602. Organization Meeting; Appointment of Secretary and Treasurer.

Section 603. Monthly Meetings; Quorum.

Section 604. Special Meetings.

Section 605. Minutes and Records.

Section 606. Compensation of Supervisors.

Section 607. Duties of Supervisors.

ARTICLE VII. TOWNSHIP TREASURER

Section 701. Township Treasurer.

Section 702. Treasurer’s Bond.

Section 703. Treasurer’s Compensation.

Section 704. Treasurer’s Duties.

Section 705. Assistant Treasurer.

Section 706. Use of Special Funds; Penalty.

Section 707. Penalty for Failure to Perform Duties.

Section 708. Depositories of Township Funds.

ARTICLE VIII. TOWNSHIP SECRETARY

Section 801. Township Secretary.

Section 802. Secretary’s Duties.

Section 803. Secretary’s Compensation.

Section 804. Assistant Secretary.

ARTICLE IX. AUDITORS; ACCOUNTANTS

Section 901. Township Auditors; Meetings; Duties; Quorum.

Section 902. Auditor’s Compensation.

Section 903. Subpoenas; Oaths; Perjury.

Section 904. Completion, Filing and Publication of Annual Township

Section 905. Penalty for Failure to Perform Duty.

Section 906. Employment and Compensation of Attorney.

Section 907. Surcharge by Auditors.

Section 908. Collection of Surcharge; Bond.

Section 909. Appeals from Report.

Section 910. Taxpayer’s Appeal; Bond.

Section 911. Consolidation of Appeals.

Section 912. Report; Prima Facie Evidence; Burden of Proof.

Section 913. Findings; Judgment.

Section 914. Costs.

Section 915. Attorney Fees.

Section 916. Interest in Township Transactions.

Section 917. Appointment of Accountant.

ARTICLE X. TAX COLLECTOR; ASSESSOR

Section 1001. Tax Collector; Powers, Duties and Liabilities.

Section 1002. Assessor; Powers and Duties.

ARTICLE XI. TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR

Section 1101. Township Solicitor.

Section 1102. Solicitor to Have Control of Legal Matters.

Section 1103. Duties of Solicitor.

ARTICLE XII. TOWNSHIP ENGINEER

Section 1201. Township Engineer.

Section 1202. Engineer’s Duties; Preparation of Plans.

Section 1203. Certificate of Commencement and of Completion of Municipal Improvements.

ARTICLE XIII. TOWNSHIP MANAGER

Section 1301. Township Manager; Appointment, Removal, Powers and Duties;

ARTICLE XIV. COUNTY AND STATE ASSOCIATIONS OF TOWNSHIPS

Section 1401. County Associations.

Section 1402. State Association of Township Supervisors Authorized.

ARTICLE XV. CORPORATE POWERS

Section 1501. Suits.

Section 1502. Property; Penalty for Violation.

Section 1503. Real Property.

Section 1504. Personal Property.

Section 1505. Boards of Supervisors to Exercise Powers.

Section 1506. General Powers.

Section 1507. Intergovernmental Cooperation.

Section 1508. Capital Reserve Fund.

Section 1508.1. Operating Reserve Fund.

Section 1509. Indebtedness.

Section 1510. Display of Flags.

Section 1511. Township Seals.

Section 1512. Insurance.

Section 1513. Widening and Deepening Watercourses.

Section 1514. Airports.

Section 1515. Urban Common Carrier Mass Transportation.

Section 1516. Land Use Regulations.

Section 1517. Building and Housing Regulations.

Section 1518. Building and Housing Inspectors.

Section 1519. Building Lines.

Section 1520. Numbering of Buildings.

Section 1521. Insect, Pest and Vector Programs.

Section 1522. Sewage Treatment Facilities Regulations.

Section 1523. Surplus Foods.

Section 1524. Community Nursing Services.

Section 1525. Mental Health Centers.

Section 1526. Hospitals.

Section 1527. Public Safety.

Section 1528. Ambulances and Rescue and Life Saving Services.

Section 1529. Nuisances.

Section 1530. Regulation of Dogs.

Section 1531. Animal Shelters.

Section 1532. Regulation of Business.

Section 1533. Dangerous Structures.

Section 1534. Fireworks and Inflammable Articles.

Section 1535. Human Services.

Section 1536. Cemeteries.

Section 1537. Burial Plots of Service Persons.

Section 1538. Care of Memorials.

Section 1539. Libraries.

Section 1540. Observances and Celebrations.

Section 1541. Historical Property.

Section 1542. Community Development.

Section 1543. Industrial Promotion.

Section 1544. Tourist Promotion Agencies.

Section 1545. Nonprofit Art Corporations.

Section 1546. Neighborhood Crime Watch Programs.

Section 1547. Public Rewards.

Section 1548. Municipality Authorities.

Section 1549. Racetracks.

ARTICLE XVI. ORDINANCES

Section 1601. Ordinances.

ARTICLE XVII. PUBLIC BUILDINGS

Section 1701. Township Buildings.

Section 1702. Use of Public Land Acquired for Other Purposes.

Section 1703. How Damages Are Assessed.

Section 1704. Garages and Warehouses.

ARTICLE XVIII. FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION

Section 1801. Authority of Board of Supervisors.

Section 1802. Fire Hydrants and Water Supply.

Section 1803. Fire Companies and Facilities.

Section 1804. Ponds, Dams or Impoundments for Fire Protection.

Section 1805. Fire Prevention Code.

Section 1806. Prohibition of Fire-Producing Devices in Certain Retail Stores.

ARTICLE XIX. TOWNSHIP POLICE

Section 1901. Creating or Disbanding Police Force.

Section 1902. Appointment of Police.

Section 1903. Contracts to Secure Police Service.

Section 1904. Contract to Provide Police Service.

Section 1905. Powers.

Section 1906. Shield.

Section 1907. Equipment.

Section 1908. Lookups.

Section 1909. Certain Compensation Prohibited.

Section 1910. Police Pension Fund.

Section 1911. Police Protection Districts.

Section 1912. Removal of Police Officers.

Section 1913. Auxiliary Police.

Section 1914. Special Fire Police.

Section 1915. Special School Police.

ARTICLE XX. STREET LIGHTS

Section 2001. Lighting.

Section 2002. Street Light Districts.

Section 2003. Costs.

ARTICLE XXI. SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSITION

Section 2101. Accumulation of Ashes, Garbage, Solid Waste and Refuse Materials.

Section 2102. Collection.

Section 2103. Disposal.

Section 2104. Acquisition of Land.

Section 2105. Charge for Services.

Section 2106. Appropriations.

Section 2107. Refuse Collection District.

Section 2108 Exclusion from Bidding Requirements.

ARTICLE XXII. PARKS, RECREATION CENTERS AND FORESTS

Section 2201. Acquisition of Lands and Buildings.

Section 2202. Recreation Facilities Employes.

Section 2203. Regulation of Parks and Public Amusements.

Section 2204. Creation of Recreation Boards.

Section 2205. Joint Ownership and Maintenance.

Section 2206. Expenses for Maintenance.

Section 2207. Forest Lands.

ARTICLE XXIII. ROADS, STREETS, BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS

Section 2301. Road and Bridge Maintenance, Repair and Construction.

Section 2302. Duties of Roadmasters.

Section 2303. Road Complaints.

Section 2304. Power to Lay Out, Open, Widen, Vacate, Et Cetera.

Section 2305. Hearing; Report; Exceptions Thereto; View and Notice.

Section 2306. Width of Public Roads.

Section 2307. Certain Roads Declared Public Roads.

Section 2308. Opening, Repairing and Closing Roads.

Section 2309. Time Within Which Roads to be Opened.

Section 2310. Detours.

Section 2311. Relocating or Vacating Roads by Agreement.

Section 2312. Elimination of Curves; Acquisition of Views.

Section 2313. Roads in or near Public Parks.

Section 2314. Petition of Property Owners for Improvements.

Section 2315. Improvements Without Petition.

Section 2316. Acceptance of Land for Road Purposes.

Section 2317. Approval of Plans.

Section 2318. Markers and Monuments.

Section 2319. Powers of State and Counties Preserved.

Section 2320. Power to Open Drains and Ditches.

Section 2321. Railroad Crossings.

Section 2322. Permits.

Section 2323. Penalty for Destroying Signs.

Section 2324. Protection of Highways from Snowdrifts.

Section 2325. Saving Trees and Shrubbery.

Section 2326. Obstructions and Nuisances.

Section 2327. Traffic Lights and Signals.

Section 2328. Regulation of Parking.

Section 2329. Naming of Streets.

Section 2330. Bike Paths.

Section 2331. County Bridges.

Section 2332. Boundary Roads and Bridges.

ARTICLE XXIV. SIDEWALKS, FOOTPATHS AND CURBS

Section 2401. Location, Lines, Grades and Width of Curbs, Sidewalks or Footpaths; Costs.

ARTICLE XXV. SANITARY SEWERS

Section 2501. Sanitary Sewers.

Section 2502. Sanitary Sewer Connections.

Section 2503. Notice of Contemplated Construction.

Section 2504. Entering Lands to Mark Sanitary Sewer Routes; Damages.

Section 2505. Sanitary Sewer Systems; Acquisition of Land and Facilities; Damages.

Section 2506. Cost of Construction; How Paid.

Section 2507. Sanitary Sewer Districts.

Section 2508. Manner of Assessment.

Section 2509. Procedure for Assessments.

Section 2510. Liens for Assessments; Costs of Proceedings.

Section 2511. Rental Fees.

Section 2512. State and County Highways; Consents Necessary.

Section 2513. Municipal Corporation; Municipality Authority; Agreements

Section 2514. Report of Viewers.

Section 2515. Acquisition of Existing Sanitary Sewer Systems.

Section 2516. Joint Sanitary Sewer Systems.

Section 2517. State Permit.

ARTICLE XXVI. WATER SUPPLY

Section 2601. Contracts With Water Companies and Municipal Corporations and

Section 2602. Water Lines and Connections.

Section 2603. Connection to Water System.

Section 2604. Water Rents.

Section 2605. Distribution System; State Permit.

Section 2606. Occupation of Highways.

Section 2607. Joint Construction, Acquisition or Maintenance of Water Systems.

Section 2608. Joint Water Board.

Section 2609. Public Utility Law Saved.

Section 2610. Cost of Construction; How Paid.

Section 2611. Water Districts.

Section 2612. Assessment.

Section 2613. Procedure for Assessment.

Section 2614. Liens for Assessments; Costs of Proceedings.

ARTICLE XXVII. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS AND FACILITIES

Section 2701. Storm Water Management Systems Authorized.

Section 2702. Construction of Storm Water Management Facilities.

Section 2703. System Management.

Section 2704. Ordinances.

ARTICLE XXVIII. MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF ELECTRICITY

Section 2801. Manufacture and Sale of Electricity.

Section 2802. Regulation of Use and Prices.

Section 2803. Sale of Hydroelectric Generating Facilities.

Section 2804. Construction or Purchase of Hydroelectric Generating Facilities.

Section 2805. Submission to Electors.

Section 2806. Limitation on Indebtedness.

ARTICLE XXIX. SHADE TREE COMMISSION

Section 2901. Right of Establishment.

Section 2902. Commission Members; Appointment; Terms; Vacancies.

Section 2903. Powers May be Vested in Recreation Board.

Section 2904. General Powers of Commission.

Section 2905. Hiring of Employes.

Section 2906. Report of Commission.

Section 2907. Removal of Diseased or Dangerous Trees.

Section 2908. Maintenance by Township Funds.

Section 2909. Penalties.

Section 2910. Disposition of Penalties.

ARTICLE XXX. BOARD OF HEALTH

Section 3001. Establishment of Board of Health.

Section 3002. Members of Board of Health.

Section 3003. Organization, Secretary, Health Officer and Inspectors.

Section 3004. Duties of Secretary.

Section 3005. Powers and Duties of Health Officer and Inspectors.

Section 3006. Powers of Board of Health.

Section 3007. Entering Premises.

Section 3008. Written Order for Violation.

Section 3009. Appropriations and Annual Report.

Section 3010. Cooperation With Other Municipal Corporations.

ARTICLE XXXI. CONTRACTS

Section 3101. Power to Make Contracts.

Section 3102. Letting Contracts.

Section 3103. Road Contracts.

Section 3104. Evasion of Advertising Requirements.

Section 3105. Bonds for Protection of Labor and Material Suppliers.

Section 3106. Purchase Contracts for Supplies and Equipment; Fire Company, Et Cetera; Participation.

Section 3107. Separate Specifications for Branches of Work.

Section 3108. Workers’ Compensation Insurance.

Section 3109. Engineers and Architects Not to be Interested in Contracts.

ARTICLE XXXII. TAXATION AND FINANCE

Section 3201. Fiscal Year.

Section 3202. Annual Budget.

Section 3203. Uniform Report Forms.

Section 3204. Investment of Township Funds.

Section 3205. Township and Special Tax Levies.

Section 3206. Procedure for Referendum on Tax Questions.

Section 3207. Taxes for Special Districts.

Section 3208. Tax Rate to be Expressed in Dollars and Cents.

Section 3209. Tax Duplicates.

Section 3210. Additions and Revisions to Duplicates.

ARTICLE XXXIII. COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS

Section 3301. Assessments Collected by Tax Collector.

Section 3302. Assessments Collected by Township Treasurer.

Section 3303. Installment Payments.

ARTICLE XXXIV. EMINENT DOMAIN; ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGES AND BENEFITS

Section 3401. Restrictions as to Certain Property.

Section 3402. Scope of Article.

Section 3403. Value of Land or Property Not to be Assessed as Benefits.

Section 3404. Title Acquired.

Section 3405. Assessment of Damages and Benefits.

Section 3406. Assessment Awards.

Section 3407. Assessments to Bear Interest.

ARTICLE XXXV. VIOLATION OF ACT GENERALLY

Section 3501. Violation of Act Generally; Penalty.

ARTICLE XXXVI. ACTIONS BY TOWNSHIPS

Section 3601. Recovery of Municipal Claims.

ARTICLE XXXVII. REPEALS

Section 3701. Repeals.