Kingston Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania


Zoning permit is required for the following
• New Houses	• Swimming Pools
• New Non-Residential Building	• Retaining Walls
• Additions to Existing Buildings	• Fences
• Garages	• Chimneys
• Decks	• Change of Use (Property or Building)
• Porches	• Demolition of Building
• Sheds

Building permit is required for the following
• New Houses	• Additions to Existing Buildings
• New Non-Residential Building	• Exterior Repairs to Buildings (Roof, Siding, Foundation, Doors, etc.)

Other permit is required for the following

• Driveway • Fire / Burglar Alarm

• Sign • Transient Business

• Business Occupancy • Open Burning

Sewer permit is required for the following

• New Connection to Municipal Sewer System

• New On-Site Septic System

• Repair and/or Modification to an Existing Septic System

SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

Chapter 22 of the Township Code of Ordinance requires that any division of property into two or more parcels for the purpose of resale or transfer requires the property owner to obtain approval through the subdivision process. The Zoning Officer and Planning Commission must review any subdivision plans before recommending action to the Board of Supervisors. Please contact Zoning officer if you have questions about subdivision regulations.

Alarm Ordinance

All residential and commercial properties that intend to install fire burglar alarm systems through private alarm companies are required to first obtain a permit form the Zoning Officer, Permits are $50.00.
The purpose of the permit is to register the alarm with the Township so the Police and Fire Departments know which structures are equipped with these devices.
Residents are urged to learn how to use their systems and to make sure they are working properly. The Police and Fire Departments respond to many false alarms during a typical year. Many of these false alarm calls could be avoided if the systems were operating and functioning properly.
Service charges are imposed when false alarms exceed two. The service charges are in a 12 month period at $50.00 per occurrence for burglar alarms; $75.00 per occurrence for fire alarms. Please make sure your system is working properly to avoid the service charges and to avoid overburdening the emergency services. Questions about the alarm ordinance may be directed to the Zoning Officer or the Chief of Police.

SIGN ORDINANCE

Types and sizes of signs are regulated by the Township Sign Ordinance. Location, size, and duration of all signs, including temporary, must be approved by the Zoning Officer.

ZONING ORDINANCE

The Township has a comprehensive zoning ordinance established for the benefit of all residents. The ordinance is designed to promote, protect, and facilitate the public health, safety, and welfare of the inhabitants of Kingston Township. The provisions work to prevent overcrowding of land, danger and congestion in travel and transportation, and loss of health, life, and property. Please contact Zoning Officer for details on requirement of the ordinance.

SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS

Chapter 22 of the Township Code of Ordinance requires that any division of property into two or more parcels for the purpose of resale or transfer requires the property owner to obtain approval through the subdivision process. The Zoning Officer and Planning Commission must review any subdivision plans before recommending action to the Board of Supervisors. Please contact Zoning officer, William Eck, if you have questions about subdivision regulations.

OPEN BURNING

Kingston Township does have an Open Burning Ordinance that regulates open burning throughout the municipality. Any and all open burning must comply with the following: An adult (over the age of 18) must be present during the fire. Also water or other extinguishing materials must be available at the site. No gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel or flammable solids are to be used as an accelerant. Do not burn garbage, demolition waste, paper, hazardous materials, plastic, painted materials, rubber, metal, leaves, or stumps. The wind velocity must not exceed five (5) miles per hour and complaints may void the permit and require extinguishment of the fire. All fires must be at least 50’ from any structure and you may burn seasoned firewood only. The bonfire can be no larger than 5’ x 5’ x 5’ and shall not burn longer than 3 hours. The fire must be totally extinguished by 8:00 p.m. No burning is allowed on Sundays. The Zoning Officer must inspect the site before the permit is issued. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to make sure the fire is burnt in a safe way. There is no charge for Bonfire Permits. Residents are encouraged to fully utilize the Dallas Area Municipal Authority Solid Waste and Recycling Program and to use the Township's composting site at the Public Works Facility at 225 E. Center Street. Composting Site Hours: 7:00 a.m. until dusk daily.