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1. Where can I recycle my TV/computer/household appliance...

Willistown Township holds a recycling event every April for residents. Keep an eye on the WillisTowne Crier for the date and list of accepted items. Another option for Chester County residents is the Lanchester Landfill located in Narvon, PA run by the Chester County Solid Waste Authority. For a list of no fee recyclables and fee based recyclables please visit: Recycling at the Lanchester Landfill

2. Can I burn brush/wood in Willistown?

Please refer to the Willistown Township Burning Ordinance for information about burning in Willistown.

3. What time can I start mowing my lawn in the morning?

Please refer to the Willistown Township Nuisance Ordinance for information about noise disturbance in Willistown.

4. There is a dead deer on the road, who do I call?

Only deer on the side of the road will be picked up (i.e. not a deceased deer on private property). For state roads (please see list below), please call PennDOT at 484-340-3200. For local roads, call the PA Game Commission at 610-926-3136. Other deceased animals (raccoons, foxes, skunks etc) will not be picked up.

For deer IN the road and obstructing traffic, please call the non emergency Willistown police line at 610-647-1440. 

State Road List
N Cedar Hollow Road
Delchester Road/State Road 2013
Devon Road/State Road 2024
Goshen Road/State Road 2010
King Road
Lancaster Avenue
Paoli Pike/State Road 2014
Providence Road/State Road 2016
South Valley Road (between Devon Road to Whitehorse Road)/State Road 1005
Street Road/State Road 926
Sugartown Road/State Road 2022
Warren Avenue/State Road 2015
West Chester Pike/State Road 3
*Whitehorse Road (*bridges only)

Roads not listed are local roads.

5. Is a Certificate of Occupancy (U&O) required for the sale or resale of a property?

No, Certificate of  Occupancy (U&O) is not required for any property sale in Willistown Township. 

6. Is hunting or trapping allowed in Willistown?

Hunting and trapping is allowed on privately owned land as long as the person is following the PA Game Commission laws, the Township Ordinance and any regulations and ordinances of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Hunters and trappers should always seek permission from landowners prior to accessing private property. Written permission carried while hunting on private lands is not required, but it is advisable. The Permission to Hunt/Trap Form created by the PA Game Commission can be downloaded and filled out and carried with the hunter/trapper while on private lands.

Hunting/trapping is NOT allowed on Township owned lands.

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1. Is a Certificate of Occupancy (U&O) required for the sale or resale of a RESIDENTIAL property?

No, Certificate of  Occupancy (U&O) is not required for a residential property sale. 

2. I have the property-owner signed contract, is that enough for a permit?

No. Willistown Township has a permit application for each specific job type. The property owner must also sign the Township issued application, and both the application and the signed contract must be submitted for review before a permit can be approved.

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1. If the driver (belted) is under 18, and a passenger (unbelted) is under 18, who should be charged?

Under Section 4581(a)(2), it is the driver’s obligation to make sure that all passengers are properly secured. The driver should be cited with a violating Section 4581(a)(2)(ii). According to Section 4581(b), the fine is $10.

2. If the driver (belted) is under 18, and a passenger (unbelted) is over 18, is there a violation of 4581(a)(2)(ii)?

This is not a violation.

3. How many passengers may a junior driver carry?

According to Section 1503(c)(2.1), a junior driver in his/her first six months may only carry one additional passenger, unless the additional passengers are immediate family members. This provision does not apply if the junior driver is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

4. What is an immediate family member?

Section 1503(c)(2.1) defines immediate family as brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, or stepsisters of the driver, including adopted or foster children residing in the same household as the junior driver. Cousins, in-laws, and more distant relations are not covered by this exception.

5. What is the proper charge and penalty for violating the restriction on number of passengers?

The driver should be charged with violating Section 1503(c)(2.1). It is a summary offense that carries the catch-all fine of $25 found at Section 6502(a).

6. When does a junior driver earn the ability to carry more than one non-family passenger?

The junior driver can only carry one non-family passenger for six months from the issuance of his junior license. After that, he/she can only carry three non-family passengers until his/her 18th birthday.

7. Can a junior driver lose the ability to carry more than one non-family passenger?

Yes, if he/she is responsible for a reportable accident under Section 3746(a) or if he/she is convicted of any Vehicle Code violation.

8. If the driver is under 18 and there are more passengers than belts in the vehicle, is it a violation?

Yes. The driver should be charged with violating Section 4581(a)(3). The fine is $10. Note that for this charge, it doesn’t matter whether passengers are over 18 and/or family members of the driver.

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1. How do I get rid of my...?

To dispose of large household items contact your hauler to see if they will schedule a pick up. Another option for Chester County residents is the Lanchester Landfill located in Narvon, PA run by the Chester County Solid Waste Authority. For a list of no fee recyclables and fee based recyclables please visit.https://www.chestercountyswa.org/170/Recycling-at-the-Lanchester-Landfill. 

2. Where can I take my prescription drugs?

Dispose of your expired, unused and unwanted prescription and over-the-counter drugs: pills, capsules, tablets, patches, suppositories, liquids, creams and powders in their original manufacturer OR pharmacy prescription containers. Lids and caps should be securely affixed. You may remove direction labels from pharmacy prescription containers, if you wish; however, you will be dropping your drugs in a secure metal box that will be sent straight to a high-temperature incinerator. The contents of each container are quickly turned to ash.
NOT ACCEPTED: needles, sharps, IV solutions, medical instruments or illicit substances such as cocaine, heroin and marijuana.
CAUTION: Do not dispose of unused medicines by flushing them down the toilet, pouring them down a sink drain or throwing them in your curbside trash because they pose potential safety and health hazards. Water purification systems remove 100% of some chemicals; others are only reduced.

3. Where do I get a recycling bin?

You will want to call your trash/recycling provider to obtain/replace any recycling receptacle.

4. What do I do with old latex paint?

Latex paint is not a hazardous material. As long as the paint is dry is can be disposed of with other household garbage. We recommend drying the paint with clay based kitty litter, saw dust or just leaving the lid off in a safe space.

5. How do I set up trash service?

In Willistown Township trash and recycling services are privately hired, That means you get to pick! The residential trash providers that work in Willistown are AJ Blosenski/Waste Connections, and Opendaker.

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1. How do I order a sewer certification?

Certifications are available for a fee of $30 per parcel ($40 for expedited same day certification). Checks can be made payable to "Willistown Township" and mailed to our offices at 688 Sugartown Road, Malvern, PA 19355. Certifications will only be issued after payment is received.

2. Who do I call when my sewer is backed up?

If you are on our low pressure system please call the Township's designated service company, PreDoc, at 610-935-8590 available 24 hours a day. For all other sewer issues, please notify the Township at 610-647-5300. 

3. How are the sewer bills calculated?

Resolution 18 of 2018 - Sewer Rental Fees

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1. Why is Willistown selling the sewer system?

By exiting the business of sewer system operation, the Township can better focus on core government functions while ensuring the residents are still offered safe and reliable sewer service by a Commonwealth-regulated utility. In addition, the funds generated by the sale will be used to pay off sewer debt. The sale also allows the Township and ratepayers to avoid future costs of sewer system upgrades. Furthermore, it was concluded that a utility company such as Aqua could maintain the sewer system as it ages at a lower cost than a single municipality.

2. Who approved the sale of the sewer system?

The Asset Purchase Agreement was approved by the Township Board of Supervisors in December of 2020, but it required further approval at the State level. The sale was subsequently approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) in July of 2022.

3. Didn’t an Administrative Law Judge recommend against the sale?

Yes, but the PUC is not bound by the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge. 

4. Isn't there an option to terminate?

Yes. Board of Supervisors Chair Bill Shoemaker addressed this in the statement on September 26, 2022. The "Outside Date" was extended by Aqua as indicated in this letter. By the adoption of Resolution 11 of 2023, the Board authorized the sending of a notice of termination, which was accordingly sent on April 15, 2023.

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1. How do I order a tax certification?

The Chester County Treasurer's Office certifies taxes in Willistown Township. Certifications are available for a fee. Only current year Real Estate Taxes will be considered for certification. Checks or money order can be made payable to "Treasurer of Chester County" and mailed to Chester County Treasurer, 313 W Market Street, Ste. 3202, West Chester, PA 19382. All requests must include a stamped return envelope. Fax-back service is not offered. Certifications will only be issued after payment is received. Certification requests that are sent via overnight (UPS/FEDEX) are processed the day they are received and mailed that same day.

2. What is the PSD code for Willistown Township?

150404 (See the complete list)

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1. How can I find the Zoning of a Township property?

See the Zoning Map. If you have further questions, contact the Zoning Officer at 610.647.5300 ext 252.

2. What is a Zoning Permit?

Willistown Township is divided into eleven (11) different zoning districts with nine (9) different overlays within several of the eleven (11) zoning districts. The Zoning Ordinance describes the uses permitted in each district and establishes the standards that uses must meet to be allowed in the districts. The Zoning Permit procedure is established to ensure that uses specifically proposed to be located in a particular district meet the standards for that district.

3. Do I need a Zoning Permit?

The Zoning Officer will help you determine if you need a Zoning Permit. A Zoning Permit endorsement is required before the issuance of all building permits. A separate Zoning Permit application is needed only when an existing commercial use of a structure is proposed to be changed and no building permit is involved. Examples include the change of general office to the use of a doctor’s office or the change of general office to the use of a restaurant.

4. How do I apply and how much does it cost?

Submit Zoning Permit Application forms and information to the Willistown Township Administrative Offices, 688 Sugartown Rd, Malvern, PA 19355. An application requires a filing fee of $100.00 to be paid before the issuance of the permit.

5. How are Zoning Permit applications reviewed and decided?

The Zoning Officer checks the application and all data to see that all provisions of the Zoning Ordinance are complied with. If architectural and site plan approval is also required for the proposed use, the Zoning Permit request is referred to the Building Department for review and comment.

If the Zoning Officer finds that the proposed use complies with all applicable provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, the Zoning Permit will be issued and a written record maintained of the findings. If all of the provisions of the ordinance are not complied with, it will be denied and all reasons set forth in writing.

6. What happens if my request is denied?

If the Zoning Officer denies a zoning permit request, the decision may be appealed to the Zoning Hearing Board as described in the Township Code.