Codes, Permits, and Recycling
Code Enforcement officer: Mary R. McHenry
Phone (814) 938-4480
Fax: (814) 938-7158
Email: mmchenry@punxsutawneyboro.com
The Borough's Code Enforcement Officer's duties include enforcing the Borough's Zoning Ordinance and coordinating appropriate building permits. Some of the most common zoning related ordinances that are enforced include, but are not limited to:
OPEN BURNING - Burning is for “Cooking Purposes Only”
JUNK VEHICLES – Any vehicle parked on a property in the Borough must be legally operable on the road. That means it must have current registration and inspection. If it is not legally operable on the road, it is considered by Borough ordinance to be a “junk vehicle” and a violation notice will be issued to the property owner.
SNOW REMOVAL – Owners and/or tenants are required to remove all snow, ice, hail or sleet from sidewalks within 24 hours after it has stopped falling. It if cannot be removed without damage to the sidewalk, some type of abrasive material must be placed on the sidewalk to make travel safe for pedestrians. It is unlawful to place/plow/throw snow back into the street or alley, or piled near a fire hydrant.
HIGH GRASS - all properties in the Borough must be kept mowed. If grass and weeds exceed the 6” limit specified by Borough ordinance, a violation notice will be issued to the property owner.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE - All properties must be kept in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Included in the definition of rubbish is “furniture not designed for use outside the home”. That means that couches and chairs designed for use inside the home cannot be placed on the porch, in addition to old appliances sometimes found on the porch. This ordinance also states that building materials (boards, bricks, etc.) kept on the property must be stacked in a single area and kept covered.
YARD/GARAGE SALE PERMITS – Residents selling more than five specific items are required to obtain a permit from the Borough when conducting a sale from a residential property. The cost of the permit is $5.00 and a sale may run for a maximum of five consecutive days.
BUILDING PERMITS - The cost for a building permit from the Borough is $20. In some cases, in keeping with Pennsylvania state UCC regulations, a second permit is required from our inspection agency. Those permit fees are based on the job specifics.
*You may download a permit application from this website (click on the appropriate "red lettering" above) and bring with you or mail to the code office at 301 East Mahoning Street, Suite 6, Punxsutawney, PA 15767.
All Borough regulations may be read in their entirety by going to www.generalcode.com
RECYCLING
Punxsutawney Borough Code has a mandatory separation and collection of designated recyclable materials from residences, commercial, municipal and institutional establishments located in the Borough. The Code states recyclable materials shall be placed curbside in containers provided for collection by designated agents. All recyclable materials must be picked up by your trash hauler for proof of recycling.
"Recyclable" materials are; aluminum, bimetal containers, clear glass containers, colored glass containers, and number 1 and 2 plastic containers without lids.
Tree Trimmings and Garden Waste are collected twice a year (Spring & Fall) and arrangements can be made with the Public Works Crew as well.
Electronics must be recycled according to the new DEP Pennsylvania Covered Devices Recycling Act.
If you have any questions regarding recycling, please contact the Borough Recycling Coordinator or Mary McHenry, Code Enforcement at 814-938-4480.
Your continued support of our community is greatly appreciated.
In an effort to raise awareness and obtain feedback on the Jefferson County Recycling Program, CREATE Brookville has graciously added a recycling page to their website and has assisted us in posting a survey and donation link there.
http://www.createbrookville.com/jefferson-county-recycling-program.html
For more information go to:
Poster-Whats-Recyclable-at-Home.pdf