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1. What are the Borough’s regulations concerning barking dogs?

It is unlawful for an animal in the Borough to bark, howl, yelp, or otherwise make noise continuously in excess of 15 minutes or intermittently in excess of 30 minutes so that such barking can be heard by persons outside the property of the owner of the animal; provided, however, that noise from an animal due to someone threatening to or trespassing upon the property upon which the animal is located or caused by teasing or mistreatment of the animal by someone other than the owner, handler or custodian or keeper of the animal shall not be considered a violation of this section. Barking dogs should be reported to the East Cocalico Township Police Department at 717-336-1725.

2. How high can grass or weeds grow before the Borough issues a violation notice?

In the Borough, weeds or plant growth shall not exceed six (6) inches in height.

3. Can I park a vehicle in my front lawn/grass area?

No, vehicle parking is not permitted on grass, landscaped, dirt, or stone areas in the front lawn or yard of any property in the Borough.

4. Must a vehicle have a current license and current inspection to be stored outside on my property?

Yes, vehicles that do not have both a current license and a current inspection shall not be stored outside a completely enclosed structure on a property.

5. Am I required to recycle in the Borough?

Yes, each person who owns or occupies a residential unit in the Borough is required to separate the following recyclable materials: clear glass, colored glass, aluminum, steel cans, plastic, tires, white goods, and yard waste.

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1. What is the population of the Borough of Denver?

According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of the Borough of Denver is 3,794 people.

2. Can I access a copy of the Borough's Business Directory?

Yes, the Borough's Business Directory can be accessed by clicking on the link below:

2023 Business Directory of Denver Borough (PDF)

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1. How often does the Borough pay bills?

The Borough pays the monthly bills and invoices following the approval of the Monthly Invoices and Bills Report by Borough Council during their meetings held on the second and the last Monday of the month.

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1. What is your response time?

In 2022, the Denver Fire Company's average response time was 3.9 minutes, meaning that a fire truck was responding to a call in less than four (4) minutes after being dispatched by the County 911 center.

2. How do I obtain a residential burning permit?

You can obtain a residential burning permit by contacting the Chief of the Denver Fire Company at 717-336-2911. All burning authorized by a residential burning permit shall be attended by a responsible adult, at least 15 feet away from any structure, be commenced after 7:00 a.m. and be extinguished by dusk.

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1. Who do I call to rent the Denver Park Annex baseball field?

To rent the Denver Park Annex baseball field, please contact the Borough Office at 717-336-2831 or check availability and request a reservation here.

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1. What are the hours of operation for the Denver Memorial Park and Playground?

The Denver Memorial Park shall be open daily to the public according to the following schedule unless the Denver Memorial Park Trustees grant special permission: November 1 through March 31: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. April 1 through October 31: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The lighted portion of the trail in the Denver Memorial Park shall be open daily at all times.

2. How do I schedule the use of a ball field in the Denver Memorial Park and Playground?

To schedule the use of a ball field in the Denver Memorial Park and Playground, please contact the Borough Office at 717-336-2831 or check availability and request a reservation here.

3. How do I rent a pavilion or the Recreation Center at the Denver Memorial Park?

The kitchen, stage, and pavilion facilities located in the Denver Memorial Park and Playground may be rented by the general public for picnics, parties, events, and gatherings by contacting the Borough office at 717-336-2831.

The Denver Recreation Center and the Shober Family Scout House located in the Denver Memorial Park and Playground also may be rented by the general public for parties, events, and gatherings by contacting the Borough office at 717-336-2831.

Visit the Denver Parks and Recreation Rentals page for availability and to request a reservation.

4. How much are facility rentals at the Denver Memorial Park and Playground?

Visit the Denver Parks and Recreation Rentals page to check availability, fees, details, and to request a reservation.

5. How do you control Mosquito populations?

As Spring and Summer approaches and temperatures begin to rise, mosquitoes will begin to pester you! Before the mosquito season takes off, the Lancaster - Lebanon Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention Program wanted to provide residents with information about West Nile virus (WNV).

WNV is a mosquito-borne virus that was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2000, with the first cases detected on Lancaster County in 2001. The virus is endemic (found every year) in the County's bird populations and can be spread to humans and horses via mosquitos. Most people infected with WNV experience no symptoms or mild symptoms. In less than 1% of infections (1 in 150) symptoms can be severe and can include fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, paralysis, and possibly death.

The mosquitos that transmit WNV (Culex pipiens) are small, brown mosquitos that feed primarily from dusk until dawn. Day-biting mosquitos (such as Asian Tiger Mosquitos) are not typically associated with WNV. Long sleeves, long pants, and approved repellents are all effective ways to help prevent mosquito bites. The CDC recommends repellents that contain either of the following ingredients: DEET, permethrin, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Additionally, strong fans that blow in the opposite direction when you lounge outside may reduce the number of mosquitoes that bite you.

Mosquitos need only a bottle-cap of water to breed and are weak flyers. If they are biting you around your yard, they are most likely breeding there or at a neighboring property. Emptying water from containers (including clogged gutters, tarps, and wheelbarrows) every week, changing water in bird baths or kiddie pools every one to two weeks, and treating areas of standing water with a larvicide every month can be effective to reduce mosquito habitat around your home. Mosquito Dunks are safe and effective larvicides sold in most home improvements stores and can kill mosquito larvae in standing water that cannot be removed. Always follow the product label.

The Lancaster - Lebanon Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention Program conducts WNV monitoring in the surrounding community and works to control mosquito populations and breeding habitat. If you see their technicians setting mosquito traps be sure to say hello! For more information about the Lancaster-Lebanon County WNV program please visit www.lccd.org/mosquitoborne-disease-program.

West Nile Virus Program Book (PDF)  West Nile Virus Factsheet (PDF)  Stormwater Structures and Mosquito Control Factsheet (PDF)

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1. What is the cost for a Variance or Special Exception Application to the Zoning Hearing Board?

The cost to submit an application to the Zoning Hearing Board for a Variance, Special Exception, or Appeal of the decision of the Zoning Officer is $500.00. Applications will not be processed and scheduled without the application fee

2. When am I required to obtain a Zoning Permit?

A Zoning Permit is required for all projects that include a building or other structure that is erected, moved, added to, altered, or the use is changed. This includes fences, storage sheds, etc. The cost for a Zoning Permit for a residential property is $25.00 and the cost for a Zoning Permit for a non-residential property is $50.00. A Zoning Permit shall not be required for the maintenance and/or ordinary repairs to buildings or structures, including but not limited to: re-siding, soffit, spouting or fascia; sidewalks and curbs located on private property not within the right-of-way of any street or street line as defined in the Denver Borough Zoning Ordinance; re-surfacing of any existing driveway; painting; replacement of floor coverings, including carpet, linoleum, and subfloor; replacement of existing doors, windows, garage doors, and repairs or replacement of existing coverings such as wallpaper, paneling, and paint.

3. Can I operate a business in my home?

Possibly, based on the type of business. The Borough does allow the operation of no-impact home based business as long as they meet the required criteria regarding employees, access, signage, etc… Please contact the Zoning Officer at 717-336-2831 for additional details.

4. What version of the building code does the Borough use?

The Borough uses the current version of the International Property Maintenance Code.

5. Must I provide my name if I want to file a complaint against someone?

Yes, the Borough requires the person filing the complaint to provide his or her name and contact information. The information is used by the Borough to follow-up on the issues. The information is never released to anyone.

6. Who does the Borough’s inspections?

The Borough does not conduct plan reviews or construction code inspections. Instead, plan reviews and inspections are provided by the Borough’s Construction Code Official. The Construction Code Official is a third party agency registered with the Borough and certified by L&I under Section 103 of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act to perform plan reviews of construction documents, inspect construction or administer and enforce codes and regulations in that category under the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act or related statutes.

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1. Where can I buy a Denver Community Pool membership?

Pool memberships are sold exclusively at the Denver Borough Municipal Building, 501 Main Street, Denver, PA, during office hours and online. Pool memberships are not sold at the Denver Community Pool.

Denver Community Pool

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1. When will my street be cleaned?

The Borough annually contracts for a Borough-wide street sweeping program every April/May in which all streets and paved alleys in the Borough are swept.

Street Sweeping Information

2. Who do I call to report a pothole?

Please contact the Denver Borough Municipal Building at 717-336-2831 to report a pothole. When reporting the pothole please provide a summary of its location (i.e. street name, intersection, address of property located near the pothole).

3. If I am planning to dig on my property, must I notify anyone before I dig?

Yes, you are required to call PA One Call at 1-800-242-1776 or 8-1-1 for information prior to digging.

4. Who should I call if I see a traffic sign on the ground?

If it is a stop or yield sign, please call the Municipal Building at 717-336-2831 right away. If the Municipal Building is closed, please call the Police Department at 717-336-1725. This is a very serious condition, and the Public Works Department will respond as soon as possible.

For all other signs, please feel free to file a report via our Request Tracker system. Report a problem with a street sign.

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1. Who should I call in the event of a sewage backup?

If the sewage backup is located in the sewer lateral (the section of pipe located between the cleanout located downstream to the sewer main), please contact the Municipal Building at 717-336-2831 and the Borough staff will remove the blockage. If the problem is located in the section of the pipe between the sewer trap and the building, you will be required to contact a plumber to remove the blockage.

2. Who is responsible for maintaining the sewer lateral?

The Borough of Denver is required to maintain the sewer lateral from the cleanout located downstream from the sewer trap to the sewer main. The property owner is required to maintain the section of sewer lateral defined as the Building Sewer located from the sewer trap to the building.

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1. When do I need to clear snow and ice off of my sidewalk?

The owner of any lot containing, fronting on or abutting on an improved sidewalk shall remove and clear away or cause to be removed and cleared away snow and/or ice from a path at least 30 inches in width from so much of said sidewalk as is within, in front of or abuts the lot within 24 hours after the cessation of any fall of snow, sleet or freezing rain. In the event snow and/or ice on a sidewalk has become so hard that it cannot be removed without likelihood of damage to the sidewalk, the person charged with its removal shall, within the 24 hours after the cessation of the event, shall cause enough sand or other abrasive to be put on the sidewalk to make travel reasonably safe. Said person shall, as soon thereafter as weather permits, clear or cause to be cleared a path in said sidewalk of at least 30 inches in width.

2. What happens if a property owner does not clear their sidewalk from snow and ice?

Failure to remove snow and ice from a sidewalk creates a nuisance and a hazard to the public, either by persons risking injury from falls on the snow and ice on the sidewalk or by persons walking in the street to avoid the snow and ice on the sidewalk. If the owner of any lot containing, fronting on or abutting on an improved sidewalk shall fail to remove and clear away or cause to be removed and cleared away snow and/or ice from a path at least 30 inches in width from so much of said sidewalk as is within, in front of or abuts the lot, within 48 hours after the cessation of any snowfall, the Borough may cause the snow and/or ice to be removed from the sidewalk. The Borough shall keep an account of the expenses incurred to eliminate the hazard to public safety and to provide the service of snow and/or ice removal to the lot, and all such costs and expenses shall be charged to and paid by the owner of the lot. All costs and expenses incurred by the Borough in shall be a lien upon the lot, and whenever a bill therefore remains unpaid for a period of 60 days after it has been rendered, the Borough Solicitor shall file a municipal claim and/or a civil action for such costs and expenses, together with a penalty of 10%, in the manner provided by law for the collection of municipal claims.

3. Can I place snow and/or ice from my sidewalk on a public street?

No person shall deposit or cause to be deposited any snow or ice on or immediately next to a fire hydrant or on any sidewalk, street or highway or loading or unloading areas of a public transportation system, except that snow and ice may be mounded by the Borough on public cartways incident to the cleaning thereof or mounded on curbs incident to the cleaning of sidewalks in business districts.

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1. Who is responsible for cleaning debris from storm sewer grates?

The Public Works Department is responsible for clearing grates located in the street right-of-way. Property owners are required to clean storm sewer grates, inlets, and outfalls that are located on their private property. If there is a problem with a storm sewer grate, please notify the Borough at 717-336-2831.

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1. Can I pay my quarterly utility bill online?

Denver Borough water and sewer customers have a variety of options available to make water and sewer payments. These options include paying in person at the Municipal Building; placing the payment in the drop box located to the right of the front door at the Municipal Building; mailing the payment through the U.S. Mail; and, paying at the Ephrata National Bank – Denver Branch. 

Yes, customers also can make credit card payments at the Municipal Building, over the telephone, or on-line at the Borough’s website (www.denverboro.net). The Borough accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit cards. A per-transaction convenience fee of 2.50% or $2.50 minimum will be charged by the payment processing company for this service to anyone using a MasterCard, Discover Card, or Visa.

2. Can I receive my quarterly water and sewer bill via email?

Yes, the Borough of Denver is excited to offer water and sewer customers in the Borough the opportunity to receive your quarterly water and sewer bills electronically via email. Property owners interested in participating in the Borough’s Utility E-Bill Program can register for this service at no cost by submitting an email to the Borough at UtilityBilling@denverboro.net and including the following information: Property Owner Name, Address, and Email Address. Upon receipt of the email requesting this service, the Borough will make the adjustment to your account. Please note, by registering for paperless billing the Borough will no longer mail you a paper copy of your quarterly utility bill.

3. What are the billing quarters for the Borough’s water and sewer billings?

Water Sewer Billing Quarters

Quarter	Billing Period	Statements Mailed	Payments Due
1st Quarter	November 1-January 31	February 15	March 15
2nd Quarter	February 1-April 30	May 15	June 15
3rd Quarter	May 1-July 31	August 15	September 15
4th Quarter	August 1-October 31	November 15	December 15

 

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1. Who is responsible for a water service lateral break?

The property owner is responsible for any water service lateral breaks from the shut-off valve to the house. The shut-off valve can be located by the curb, in the sidewalk, in the driveway, or in the front yard area of the property. The Borough is responsible for any water service lateral breaks from the shut-off valve to the water main.

2. Where do I call to report a water main break?

During normal business hours (Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), please report all water main breaks to the Municipal Building at 717-336-2831. After normal business hours or on weekends or holidays, please report all water main breaks to the East Cocalico Township Police Department at 717-336-1725.

3. Who do I contact if my water meter is leaking?

If your water meter is leaking between the valves on either side of the meter, please contact the Municipal Building at 717-336-2831 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or the East Cocalico Township Police at 717-336-1725 after hours. If the water lateral pipe is leaking, you are responsible for contacting a plumber.

4. What is the Borough's standard pressure for the water system?

The Borough's water system pressure varies based on your location with the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The standard pressure for the Borough's water system north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike is between 90 and 105 psi. The standard pressure for the Borough's water system south of the Pennsylvania Turnpike is between 80 and 90 psi.

5. Does the Borough add fluoride to the water?

No, the Borough does not add fluoride to the public water system. The Borough is not required by the Department of Environmental Protection to add fluoride to the water system.