Lower Paxton, PA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 170 of the Lower Paxton Township Code, the Lower Paxton Township Stormwater Management Ordinance, was adopted in 2013 and amended in its entirety on 9-3-2024 by Ord. No. 24-08. Section 170-105 applies it to any regulated activity in the Township and to all stormwater runoff entering the Township's separate storm sewer system. The permit table lists the triggers: 5,000 square feet or more of earth disturbance; all land development; subdivisions where other regulated activities are proposed; new or additional impervious or semi-pervious surfaces, and new buildings or additions, at 80 square feet or greater of new impervious cover; and, in all instances, diversion or piping of a natural or man-made stream channel, installation of stormwater control facilities, and installation of stormwater BMPs.

Section 170-302.D then scales the paperwork to the new impervious area added since adoption. The table prints 0 to 80 square feet with a dash, 81 to 1,000 as a Township stormwater management application, 1,000 to 5,000 as the application plus volume controls, an SWM site plan and report and record drawings, and more than 5,000 as the application plus rate controls, volume controls, the site plan and report and record drawings. No applicant is exempt from meeting state water quality standards, protecting health, safety and property, or meeting high quality and exceptional value watershed requirements. Agricultural activities and forest management are exempt when performed under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102.

Once a site plan is approved, the owner of land with permanent controls must record the SWM site plan, the operations and maintenance agreement and easements with the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds within 30 days and give the Township a recording receipt before the permit issues. Section 170-1101 prohibits non-stormwater discharges, including sewage and wash water, into the storm sewer system, with listed exceptions such as firefighting flows and non-contaminated foundation drain water. Section 170-1103 bars altering or filling an existing BMP without written Township approval. Review fees are set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors, and waivers for earth disturbance of one acre or more need advance approval from DEP or the county conservation district.