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How do you apply for a building permit? Who is responsible for the repair of your sidewalk? Who do you talk to to see if you can install a driveway where you would like? These and other frequently asked questions are answered below. These web pages will provide some answers, but always feel free to contact us at Borough Hall. We're there 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (and have an answering machine after hours) at (610) 664-2840. Our email is: Narberth@home.com
| Q: | How do I find out the zoning classification of my property? | |
| A: | We keep the official zoning map on file in the Borough Office. You can ask zoning questions of our Zoning Officer William Martin, also in the Borough Office (see above). | |
| Q: | What size is my property? Does the Borough survey the land? | |
| A: | The Borough maintains a file called The Block and Unit File which gives the dimensions of each property, but not the benchmarks which indicate where a property begins and ends. Please check your deed to see if specific markers are mentioned. | |
| Q: | Does the Borough maintain a record of building plans? | |
| A: | The Borough maintains plans for more recent subdivisions and building developments, but for many of the older homes no blue prints are available. | |
| Q: | I would like to renovate my home. Do I need any permits and can I do some of the work myself? | |
| A: | Yes, you can do the work yourself or have a contractor do so. Any building renovation over $200.00 requires a permit. Homeowners and contractors are required to complete the building permit application forms at the Municipal Building. | |
| Q: | How do I apply for a building permit? | |
| A: | Building permit application forms are available in the Borough Office. (They may eventually be available from this website to be faxed in to the Borough Office.) | |
| Q: | How long does it take to obtain a building or plumbing permit? | |
| A: | Building permits and plumbing permits may take a maximum of 15 days to be processed. Simple applications can normally be processed within several days of submitting the application. | |
| Q: | What inspections are required during construction? | |
| A: | Four separate inspections are normally required: footing inspection, framing inspection, rough-in inspection, and completion. Other inspections are made at the option of the field inspector. | |
| Q: | What Borough requirements must I meet in order to build an addition onto my home? | |
| A: | A brief sketch of your existing property and your proposed addition should be addressed to the Zoning Officer to examine and approve. | |
| Q: | What fees are required for building renovations? | |
| A: | Generally residential fees are $20.00 for the first $1,000.00 and $10.00 for each $1,000.00 above that. Please call the Borough Office for specific fees for your project. All plans requiring review and approval through the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code incur a fee of $500.00 plus these costs. | |
| Q: | Does the Borough maintain a list of licensed contractors? | |
| A: | No, not for most situations. To encourage homeowners to repair broken sidewalks and curbs, we maintain a list of masonry contractors in Borough Hall. Contractors are required to maintain a Business Privilege License, received from the Central Tax Bureau. | |
| Q: | I recently moved to Narberth and would like to install a fence. I need to locate my property boundaries, get the proper permits and whatever else is required. Where can I find this information? | |
| A: | The Borough Office has on file a "block and unit" drawing which gives the dimensions of each individual property, but does not have survey information on file. You can, however, get a fence permit, which is required for all fences, at Borough Hall (see above). Remember, the good side of your fence must face your neighbor, and the structural members of the fence should be on your own property. | |
| Q: | I would like to add a driveway to my property. Who do I talk to to see if it is possible to install it where I would like it? | |
| A: | Please bring a preliminary sketch, locating the proposed driveway, in relation to the property lines and buildings on the lot to Zoning Officer William Martin in Borough Hall (see above). | |
| Q: | Do I have to register my deed in Narberth? | |
| A: | At the time of settlement, the transfer agent normally lodges a duplicate copy of the deed as part of the property registration form with the Borough Office. There is no charge to file this duplicate copy. | |
| Q: | Who owns and maintains the trees in the grass strip in front of my house? | |
| A: | Homeowners are responsible for all trees located on their property. The Borough has a Shade Tree Commission which oversees all of the trees located within the right of way of each street. They may require these trees to be trimmed, maintained and removed. (Consult the Borough Office for specific right of way dimensions as each street is different.) | |
| Q: | Who is responsible for repairing, maintaining and replacing the sidewalk on my property? | |
| A: | Homeowners are responsible. The Borough maintains a sidewalk safety-inspection program so that all sidewalks are inspected and homeowners notified to make the proper repairs. | |