The East Whiteland Township Zoning Ordinance was adopted March 21, 1966. Since that time, it has been amended through November 2000.

In general terms, the Zoning Ordinance regulates:

• building height, area and location on a lot
• where certain uses may take place within the township
• quality, location and size of signs
• minimum lot areas for various uses
• flood plains (especially uses permitted and prohibited within the flood plain)

Whenever a municipality enacts a zoning ordinance, it must appoint a Zoning Officer to administer and enforce the zoning ordinance.

Both the Zoning Map and the Flood Plain Map for the Township can be examined during business hours. Please contact the Code Enforcement Department to arrange an appointment.

Appeals to the Zoning Hearing Board require the filing of a Zoning Hearing Board application that can be obtained at the Township Building. This application, along with the required supporting documents, must be filed no later than the last day of the month preceding the month an applicant desires to schedule a hearing. The filing fees for the hearing are noted on the instructions and must be paid at the time of application. Upon conclusion of a zoning hearing, the Zoning Hearing Board has 45 days in which to make a decision. However, some cases may require many months of hearings before the conclusion of the case and the vote of the board.

The Board of Supervisors hears conditional use applications in accordance with the Municipalities Planning Code and the East Whiteland Township Zoning Ordinance. Applications for a conditional use hearing must be filed at least 30 days in advance of the date an applicant desires to schedule a hearing.

A conditional use hearing is simply a zoning hearing before the elected body of the municipality. The hearings are advertised and conducted exactly like a zoning hearing. The difference between the two hearings is that, during a conditional use hearing, the applicant is proving that he/she is going to do that which he/she already is entitled to do by law.

The function of the board is to review the evidence for compliance with the law and to stipulate any additional conditions necessary for the protection of the Township. The Board of Supervisors, without permission of the applicant otherwise, must render a decision within 45 days.