General Information

Check our new Index to Government Information for an easily way to find information about Charlestown Government services, rules, regulations, ordinances, forms and guidelines.

Where is Charlestown Township?

A series of three maps starting with the Delaware Valley, then Chester County, and finally the Township itself.

Directory of Elected and Appointed Township Officials

A directory of Township Officials organized by committee or office, with phone numbers. and a link to a more complete PDF version.
When a vacancy occurs on the major boards of the Township, the process for filling the vacant position is described in the Second Class Township Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Click here to read "Section 407. - Vacancies in General" of that code.

Communications Policy

First passed 02/03/04, the Charlestown Township Communications Policy is aimed at improving communications with those needing Township services. Major headings in the policy include "General Guidelines", "Formal Plans, Applications and Submissions", "Public Meetings", and "Candidates for Positions on our Boards and Commissions".

Open Space Commission

Formed in May 2001 to learn how we can balance the need for preservation of open space against the very legitimate financial interests that our fellow landowners have in their property.

Township Fee Schedule

A table of the fees charged by the Township for providing you with various documents or performing specific services.

Township budgets

Budgets since 2003 are linked from our Index to Gov't Info page.

Proposed 1999 Township Budget

The entire proposed budget is posted.

Charlestown Township Adopts the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code

On July 1, 2004, Charlestown Township began implementing the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC). This new code created substantial changes to our procedures for obtaining building permits (see link below). This link explains the effect of adopting the UCC on procedures for obtaining building permits in Charlestown.

Building Permits - Info and formsThis section is for Charlestown Residents wishing to undertake a project that may require obtaining building permits. If you determine from the information in this section that a building permit is required for your project, you will find samples of the forms as well.

Zoning Ordinance (PDF)

This is the complete 195 page Charlestown Township Zoning Ordinance in a 464 KB download PDF file.

Township Fire Control and Hazardous Materials Ordinance

An ordinance to promote the safety and general welfare of the residents of Charlestown Township and occupants of buildings regulating open burning, fireworks, hazardous materials, prescribing regulations covering conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, explosion and/or hazardous materials and prescribing penalties for violations.

Township Subdivision PlansThis is a comprehensive set of maps with map-key to help locate subdivisions currently planned or developed in Charlestown Township. The Map-key identifies the name of each project, its type and size, and links each subdivision to the appropriate map. Subdivisions are grouped in four color coded categories according to their status.

State and U.S. Representatives

A list of elected representatives to state offices with addresses and phone numbers.

Voting in Charlestown

Information on how to register to vote as well as directions to the polls. Note that the polls for Charlestown residents for all elections are at the Charlestown Elementary School.

9-1-1 Your Emergency Hotline

Information on the 9-1-1 service from a brochure available from the County.

Fire Department Service Areas in the Township

A map of the Township designating the areas covered by the East Whiteland and Kimberton Fire Companies.

Dog Complaints

The Township Office receives many complaints about dogs running at large or incessant barking? This page provides information as to what you should do (and the Township cannot do) about reporting this problem.

Animal Control Guidelines

A table listing a variety of problems you may encounter with stray animals, lost animals, and dead animals in the road. For each problem, information as to who to call and what will be done is provided.

Well Water Testing

The Chester County Health Department recommends that wells be tested at least once per year. This link provides information as to how to have your water tested.

Drought Emergency Guidelines

When a Drought Emergency is declared by township, county or state agencies, these guidelines and links provide information as to what restrictions are in place.

Snow Removal  (02/23/03)

Fred Alston, our Roadmaster who is experiencing his first winter in that capacity, has prepared a statement on snow removal that is aimed at answering many of the questions he is frequently asked since our recent storm.

Prohibition of False Alarms

We have reproduced a Pennsylvania State Police letter to the Township's supervisors to notify them and residents of a new statute that provides for a fine for excessive false alarms. The new statute went into effect August 17, 1998.

Agricultural Security Area

This is a list of the proposed Agricultural Security Areas being reviewed in June, 1998.

Road Information  (updated December 2, 2004)

Detailed information on every road in Charlestown Township is available. Streets are listed alphabetically. For each street, the range of house numbers, the road number, servicing post office, jurisdiction providing maintenance, development (if any) and nearest intersection are listed. Streets that span post office or maintenance boundaries are listed separately by house number range. This information was provided by the Township Office.

Road Maintenance Hotline

PennDOT provides a hotline for reporting road maintenance problems on state roads.

PennDOT Road Maintenance for District 6

PennDOT provides some information on road maintenance projects in our area.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Charlestown Township participates in the Regional Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste Program. The drop off dates and locations for the current year are provided in this announcement, as well as what can and cannot be disposed of through this program.

Licensed Waste Haulers

A list of the waste haulers who are qualified by licensing and recycling programs to provide waste hauling services in Charlestown Township.

General and Tax Information

Various facts about the Township as well as information about School, County and Township taxes.

Operation Lifesaver

A highway-rail grade crossing safety campaign involving education, enforcement, engineering and evaluation.

Comcast Cable TV

Comcast Cable provides cable tv service to Charlestown Township out of facililties in Malvern and Pottstown. Their local office for the northern portion of the Township is 20 Main Street, Phoenixville, Tel (610) 935-1910. Closer to Malvern, the address is 70 East Lancaster Avenue, Frazer, PA 19355-2121, Tel (610) 644-7500.