Ordinances & Policies

Halifax Township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, enacted February 20, 2025, comprehensively regulates all subdivision of land and land development within the township in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Adopted under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247), it establishes requirements for preliminary and final plan submissions, design standards for streets and lots, stormwater management, floodplain protections, erosion control, and mobile/manufactured home parks. The ordinance requires Board of Supervisors approval and public recording before any lots can be sold or building permits issued, and prescribes penalties for violations including fines up to $500 per day for floodplain violations and up to $1,000 per day for stormwater violations.

Halifax Township's Stormwater Management Ordinance (No. 25-02-2025), enacted February 10, 2025, regulates all land development and earth disturbance activities that affect stormwater runoff within the township. Authorized under Pennsylvania's Storm Water Management Act (Act 167), it requires developers to prepare and obtain approval of a Stormwater Management Site Plan before commencing regulated activities, with standards for controlling both the volume and rate of post-development runoff. The ordinance establishes design criteria for drainage facilities, erosion and sediment controls, inspection schedules, maintenance responsibilities, and enforcement penalties, while encouraging low-impact development practices and groundwater recharge to protect water quality and prevent downstream flooding.

Ordinance No. 25-17-2025 establishes comprehensive regulations for the installation, operation, and decommissioning of solar energy systems in Halifax Township, Dauphin County, PA. It distinguishes between Accessory Solar Energy Systems (ASES), which primarily serve on-site energy needs, and Principal Solar Energy Systems (PSES), which generate power primarily for off-site use such as commercial solar farms. The ordinance sets requirements for setbacks, height limits, screening, security fencing, stormwater management, decommissioning bonds, and enforcement penalties, while exempting small systems under 1,000 square feet and pre-existing installations from most requirements.

This ordinance regulates the use of consumer fireworks and display fireworks in Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It establishes a permit system for professional display fireworks, sets conditions and time restrictions for consumer firework use by residents, and requires bonds and insurance for permitted displays. Enacted January 11, 2021, under authority of Pennsylvania's Fireworks Law (Act 43 of 2017), it prescribes penalties for violations ranging from summary offenses to second-degree misdemeanors.

Resolution #17-04-2017, adopted September 11, 2017, authorizes Halifax Township to execute an Accessions and Gift Agreement with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) for archaeological findings at Fort Halifax Park. It also appoints Dane Snyder as the Township's volunteer liaison to the PHMC and archaeological coordinator for the park. The resolution formalizes the Township's cooperation with the state commission on ongoing archaeological activity at the park.

Ordinance No. 16-4-2016, enacted February 8, 2016, establishes the public sewer requirements, rules, and regulations for Halifax Township. It requires owners of improved properties within 150 feet of a sewer lateral to connect to the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority's sewer system within specified timeframes. The ordinance defines connection procedures, prohibited discharges, fee responsibilities, and grants the Township a limited right to defer mandatory connections for up to five years in cases of significant hardship. Violations are punishable by fines and may be enforced through injunctive relief.

Ordinance 2015-16-3-2016, enacted February 2, 2016, authorizes Halifax Township to participate in the Pennsylvania Townships Health Insurance Cooperative Trust, an intergovernmental cooperative that pools municipal resources to provide cost-effective medical, prescription, dental, life, disability, and other employee welfare benefit insurance programs. The ordinance was required because the Trust's governing agreement was comprehensively restated effective October 15, 2014, and all participating municipalities needed to formally re-authorize their membership. The Township's participation continues indefinitely until it voluntarily withdraws in accordance with the Trust agreement's terms.

Ordinance 2015-16-2-2014, enacted February 2, 2016, authorizes Halifax Township to participate in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Pension Trust (PMPT), an intergovernmental cooperative originally established in 1958 that pools municipal resources to provide cost-effective pension and retirement plans for government employees. The township adopts the comprehensively updated Restated Trust Agreement effective October 15, 2014, delegates specified powers to the Trust's Board of Trustees, and commits to fund the Trust through scheduled appropriations. The ordinance is enacted under the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Law.

Resolution 16-2016, adopted by the Halifax Township Board of Supervisors in 2016, extends Workers' Compensation insurance coverage for Halifax Fire Department volunteers to include acts and operations that occur outside Halifax Township's jurisdictional borders. The township has historically paid the full cost of Workers' Compensation premiums for fire department volunteers, and this resolution formalizes a prior board motion from February 8, 2016, ensuring that coverage applies whenever volunteers respond to incidents beyond township boundaries.

Ordinance 2015-9-2015, enacted July 13, 2015, regulates all outdoor fires in Halifax Township to prevent nuisances and reduce unnecessary fire department calls. It establishes rules for both contained fires (in approved containers or outdoor fireplaces) and uncontained fires (open burning), including setback requirements, attendance obligations, and time-of-day restrictions. Gas and charcoal cooking fires are exempt. Violations carry fines up to $300 per day plus costs and attorney fees, and may also be prosecuted under the Township's separate Nuisance Law.

Resolution #15-7-2015, adopted April 13, 2015, authorizes the intermunicipal transfer of Pennsylvania Liquor License R-20918 into Halifax Township. The license, previously held by Dennis F. Bisking for a location in Wayne Township, was approved for transfer to Doughboys Pizzeria 2, LLC to operate at 3652A Peters Mountain Road in Halifax Township. The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the transfer after holding a required public hearing.

Ordinance No. 15-3-2015 authorizes Halifax Township to join the PSATS (Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors) Unemployment Compensation Group Trust, an intergovernmental cooperative that pools municipal resources to provide unemployment compensation insurance at reduced cost. Enacted on February 9, 2015, under the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Law, the ordinance adopts the Trust's Restated Trust Agreement (updated July 16, 2014) and delegates certain powers to the Trust's Board of Trustees. The township's participation continues indefinitely until it voluntarily withdraws.

Ordinance 2015-6 regulates the operation of kennels within Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It defines a kennel as any establishment handling at least 26 dogs per calendar year and establishes property requirements, setback distances, breeding limits, and waste disposal obligations. The ordinance requires compliance with the Pennsylvania Dog Law and imposes fines of up to $300 per day for violations, with the Township authorized to seek injunctive relief through equity proceedings.

Ordinance 15-10-2015 requires certain structures in Halifax Township to install key lock boxes (secure lockboxes containing building access keys) so that the Fire Department can gain rapid entry during emergencies. The requirement applies to newly constructed buildings, buildings that change ownership, or buildings applying for a building permit that have automatic fire detection or suppression systems and restricted access — including multi-family residential buildings, government structures, health care facilities, schools, and churches. Single-family homes with their own entrances are exempt, and owners of existing structures are encouraged but not required to install key lock boxes.

Resolution #14-7-2014 authorizes the Halifax Township Board of Supervisors to make supplemental appropriations to the 2014 budget. Under the authority of the Second Class Township Code, Section 3202, the resolution allows the township to transfer funds from its General Fund to cover expense line items that had negative variances through November 30, 2014, or that would have negative variances after paying December 31, 2014 bills. It was adopted on November 10, 2014.

Ordinance 2013-8 is Halifax Township's Nuisance Ordinance, enacted May 14, 2013, which defines and prohibits a broad range of nuisance activities on public and private property, including junk accumulation, overgrown vegetation, improper drainage, excessive noise, abandoned vehicles, and hazardous conditions. It establishes a complaint-driven enforcement process with separate timelines for standard and emergency nuisances, and authorizes the Township to impose escalating daily fines, abate nuisances directly, and pursue legal action to recover costs including attorney fees.

Resolution 13-12-2013 establishes Halifax Township's official Snow and Ice Control Policy and Road Crew Operations Manual. It governs how the township maintains approximately 38 miles of municipal road and one PennDOT contract road (Powells Valley Road) during winter storms. The policy sets priorities for plowing and salt application, defines crew scheduling and safety rules, and outlines resident responsibilities and the township's liability limits regarding mailbox damage, right-of-way obstructions, and private property.

Ordinance No. 2012-2-4, enacted October 8, 2012, establishes a Local Services Tax (LST) in Halifax Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, effective January 1, 2013. The tax is levied annually on any person whose primary place of employment is within the township, at a flat rate of $52.00 per year, collected by employers through payroll withholding on a pro rata basis each pay period. Revenue from the tax is designated for emergency services (police, fire, EMS), road construction and maintenance, and/or property tax reduction, with at least 25% required to go toward emergency services. Persons earning less than $12,000 annually from sources within the township, as well as certain disabled veterans and active-duty reservists, are exempt.

Resolution #10-8-2010, adopted by the Halifax Township Board of Supervisors on December 13, 2010, establishes tax and assessment rates for calendar year 2011. The resolution sets the municipal real estate millage rate, fire protection millage, street light assessments, per capita tax, earned income tax, and real estate transfer tax, while waiving the occupation tax. All rates are unchanged from 2010, and H.A. Berkheimer, Inc. is designated as the earned income tax collector for 2011.

Ordinance 93-12, adopted December 13, 1993, regulates all street excavations and openings within Halifax Township (excluding state highways). It requires anyone who wants to dig up or cut into a public street to obtain a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer, follow detailed backfilling and restoration specifications, post a surety bond, and accept liability for any resulting damages. The ordinance also imposes a five-year moratorium on excavating newly paved streets except in emergencies and establishes penalties of up to $600 per day of violation.

This 1991 Halifax Township ordinance requires all landlords (lessors) to file "Status of Occupancy Reports" with the Township Secretary, identifying their rental properties and tenants. Its purpose is to help the township track adult residents and businesses for population planning, future services, and fair taxation. Lessors must report initial occupancy within 30 days and any changes in tenancy within 10 days.

These are the camping guidelines for Fort Halifax Park in Halifax Township, PA. The policy requires anyone wishing to camp at the park to submit a written application in advance through Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc. or the Township Office. Only primitive camping is allowed—no motorhomes or pop-up trailers—and campers must follow strict rules regarding campsite cleanliness, fire safety, vehicle parking, and notification procedures.

Fort Halifax Park Regulations is a policy governing visitor conduct at Fort Halifax Park in Halifax Township, PA. It establishes rules covering park hours, camping, group use, fires, refuse, parking, vehicles, pets, alcohol, wildlife, and natural resources. The regulations emphasize respect for other visitors, the environment, and park property, and require permits for overnight camping and organized groups of 10 or more.

This is the Ft. Halifax Park Policy for Halifax Township, PA. It requires any group of more than ten people to obtain prior written approval from the Board of Supervisors before using the park for any activity, whether organized or unorganized. The policy establishes a 30-day advance notice requirement and gives the Township discretion to deny requests.