▼

Engineering

Show All Answers

1. I would like to re-grade a portion of my back yard. Does this require a permit?

The Township requires that the property owner submit a sketch to the Engineering Department. The Township Engineer will determine if a grading permit is required. Generally, earth disturbances less than 200 square feet will not require a grading permit. An exception to this general rule is if the work is near a property line, floodplain or wetlands.

Contact the Engineering Department.

View Grading Permit Application (PDF).

2. Where can I obtain a plan of my property?

A copy of the plot plan for your property may be obtained from the Township Code Enforcement Department or Engineering Department upon request (if available).

In the Staff Directory, view Code Enforcement Department and Engineering Department.

3. Where can I get a copy of a Township Map?

The Township website has several maps available for download in PDF format. The maps include the Township street Map, Zoning Map, Sanitary Sewer Map, Floodplain Map, Storm Sewer Map and Open Space/Protected Lands Map. In addition, paper copies of the maps may be purchased at the Whitpain Township building:

960 Wentz Road
Blue Bell Pennsylvania, 19422
Phone: 610-277-2400

To view maps, visit the Engineering Department page.

4. What permits are required if I resurface my driveway?

No permits are required from the Township if the property owner is only resurfacing their driveway and not adding any additional pavement. In addition, a driveway modification form is not required to be submitted to the Township for resurfacing a driveway.

View Engineering Department page.

5. What permits are required if I widen my driveway?

For the installation of additional driveway pavement including driveway widening, the property owner must submit a sketch with the Driveway Modification Form to the Township engineering department. The Driveway Modification Form may be found on the Engineering Application page. A Township Roadway Occupancy Permit (TROP) is only required if you are doing work within the right-of-way of a Township Roadway. Generally, the right-of-way extends approximately twelve feet from the edge of the roadway or curbline. If you have any questions regarding the location of the right-of-way in front of your property, please contact the engineering department for more information.

6. What permits are required if I install a new sidewalk or repair/replace my existing sidewalk?

A Township Roadway Occupancy Permit (TROP) is required if you are installing, repairing or replacing sidewalk within the right-of-way of a Township Roadway, Generally, the right-of-way extends approximately twelve feet from the edge of the roadway or curbline. If you have any questions regarding the location of the right-of-way in front of your property, please contact the engineering department for more information.

7. What is required to obtain a Township Roadway Occupancy Permit?

There are five components to a Township Roadway Occupancy Permit application (TROP):  the application form, a sketch of the work, the contractor’s insurance information, the application fee and an escrow for the proposed work.  The escrow will be returned to the applicant once the proposed work has been completed to the satisfaction of the Township.  The TROP application may be found in the “applications and forms” drop down menu on the Township website.  Once all of the required information has been submitted to the Engineering Department, a permit may be issued within five business days. For more information, contact the Engineering Department.

8. How do I know if I live along a Township, County or State maintained roadway?

The roadways within Whitpain Township are maintained by four separate entities. The roadways my be Township maintained, County maintained, State (PennDOT) maintained or privately maintained. The Township Street Map highlights the maintenance responsibility for each roadway within the Township through a color coding system. View the Street Map (PDF).

9. Whom may I contact for information on PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permits?

PennDOT's Montgomery County Maintenance Office should be contacted for information on obtaining a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit.

PennDot Montgomery County Maintenance Office

Swede Road and Johnson Highway

P.O. Box 350

Norristown, PA 19404

Phone: 610-275-2368

10. Whom may I contact for information on Montgomery County Highway Occupancy Permits?

The Montgomery County Roads and Bridges Office should be contacted for information on obtaining a Montgomery County Highway Occupancy Permit.

Montgomery County Road and Bridges Department

One Montgomery Plaza

6th Floor and Airy Streets

Norristown, PA 19401

Phone: 610-278-3613

11. Are there any public or private easements on my property?

The plot plan for your property should highlight any public easements on your property. A plot plan may be obtained from the Code Enforcement Department or the Engineering Department. For more detailed information on public easements, please contact the Engineering Department or emailing Jim Blanch. For private easements, such as electric, gas and communication utilities, the property owner should check their deed or contact the private utility company for more information.

12. Are there any restriction on what may be placed within a storm drainage or sanitary sewer easement on my property?

No structures or landscaping may be installed within a storm drainage easement or a sanitary sewer easement. Ornamental grasses and shrubs may be allowed within these easements.

13. Do I need a permit for a patio?

A patio permit is required to install a new patio or increase the size of an existing patio. There are three components to a Patio permit Application: the application form, a sketch of the work (including patio dimensions) and the application fee. View Patio Permit Application (PDF) . The patio application is reviewed for conflicts with easements and drainage swales and it must meet the requirements of the Township stormwater management regulations. Once the Township Engineering Department has reviewed and approved the permit application, a permit will be mailed to the property owner and/or applicant.

14. Where can I find a Licensed Surveyor or Engineer?

The phone book or internet may be used to find an engineer or surveyor. In addition, as a courtesy to our residents, a list of Professional Engineers and Surveyors licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that have previously submitted work to the Township is available. View the Engineering Department page.

15. Does the Township provide surveying services for property owners?

The Township does not offer surveying services on private property. The property owner should contact a licensed surveyor for surveying services. As a courtesy to our residents, a list of licensed surveyors that have previously submitted work to the Township is available. View the Engineering Department page.

16. What is required to obtain a Grading Permit?

There are four components to a Grading Permit application: the application form, a signed and sealed site plan, the contractor's insurance information and the application fee. View Grading Permit Application (PDF). Once all of the required information has been submitted to the Engineering Department, a permit may be issued witting ten business days.

Contact the Engineering department.

17. Do site plans for sheds, pools, patios and building additions need to be signed and sealed by a Professional Engineer or Surveyor licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?

All pools require a signed and sealed site plan from a licensed engineer or surveyor. Site plans for sheds, patios and building additions may require a signed and sealed site pan prepared by a Licensed Engineer or Surveyor. The requirement is at the discretion of the Township Engineer and is dependent on the location of the work, the square footage of the earth disturbance and/or the size of the addition, patio or shed. For questions, contact the Engineering Department.

18. Whom may I contact regarding the installation or removal of an on-site sanitary sewer system?

The Montgomery County Health Department is responsible for the permitting of all new on-site sanitary sewer systems. In addition, the Health Department should be contacted prior to the removal of an on-site sanitary sewer system. For more information, visit the Montgomery County Health Department webpage.

19. Whom may I contact regarding the installation or abandonment of a private water well?

The Montgomery County Health Department is responsible for permitting of  all new private water well. In addition, the Health Department should  be contacted prior to the abandonment of a private water well. For more information, visit the Montgomery County Health Department webpage.