Select an Article Article 1 Preliminary Provisions Article 2 Classification, Creation, Reestablishment and Change of Name of Townships Article 3 TOWNSHIP LINES AND BOUNDARIES Article 4 Election of Officers; Vacancies in Office Article 5 Township Officers Generally Article 6 Township Supervisors Article 7 Township Treasurer Article 8 Township Secretary Article 9 Auditors; Accountants Article 10 Tax Collector; Assessor Article 11 Township Solicitor Article 12 Township Engineer Article 13 Township Manager Article 14 County and State Associations of Townships Article 15 Corporate Powers Article 16 Ordinances Article 17 Public Buildings Article 18 Fire Prevention and Protection Article 19 Township Police Article 20 Street Lights Article 21 Solid Waste Collection and Disposition Article 22 Parks, Recreation Centers and Forests Article 23 Roads, Streets, Bridges and Highways Article 24 Sidewalks, Footpaths and Curbs Article 25 Sanitary Sewers Article 26 Water Supply Article 27 Storm Water Management Plans and Facilities Article 28 Manufacture and Sale of Electricity Article 29 Shade Tree Commission Article 30 Board of Health Article 31 Contracts Article 32 Taxation and Finance Article 33 Collection of Assessments Article 34 Eminent Domain; Assessment OF Damages and Benefits Article 35 Violation of Act Generally Article 36 Actions by Townships Article 37 Repeals

ARTICLE I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

Section 101. Short Title.-This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Second Class Township Code."

Section 102. Definitions.-The following words, terms and phrases, as used in this act shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Census" or "official census," the latest United States Census Bureau population count resulting from a decennial or special census conducted by the United States Census Bureau.

"Highway" or "State highway," any highway, road or street which qualifies as a State highway or a portion of the rural State highway system as provided in section 102 of the act of June 1, 1945 (P.L. 1242, No. 428), known as the "State Highway Law."

"Municipal corporation," any city, borough, incorporated town, township of the second class, township of the first class or home rule municipality, except home rule counties.

"Road" or "public road," the entire width between the boundary lines of every way, street, lane, alley, court or public square maintained by the township which is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

"Township," a township of the second class.

Section 103. Excluded Provisions.--(a) This act does not repeal any acts relating to:
(1) The assessment and valuation of property and persons for the purposes of taxation and collection of taxes and the collection of municipal claims by liens.
(2) The method of incurring or increasing indebtedness.
(3) Election officers and conduct of elections.
(4) Public schools and school districts.
(5) Constables.
(6) District justices.
(7) State highways and private roads.
(8) Validations of elections, bonds, ordinances and acts of corporate officers.
(9) Free nonsectarian libraries.
(10) Intergovernmental cooperation.
(11) Planning and land use.
(12) Public meetings.
(13) Inspection of records.
(14) Ethics of elected officers and employes.
(15) The levy or collection of taxes under general law.
(b) It is the intention that this act shall furnish a complete and exclusive system for the government and regulation of townships except as to the several matters enumerated in subsection (a).

Section 104. Construction of Act Generally.-The provisions of this act, insofar as they are the same as those of existing laws, are intended as a continuation of those laws and not as new enactments. The repeal by this act of any State law or part thereof does not revive any act or part thereof previously repealed or superseded The provisions of this act do not affect any act done, liability incurred or right accrued or vested or affect any suit or prosecution pending or to be instituted to enforce any right or penalty or punish any offense under the authority of any repealed laws.

Section 105. Constitutional Construction.-The provisions of this act are severable, and, if any of the provisions are held to be unconstitutional, that decision shall not affect the validity of any of the remaining provisions of this act. It is the legislative intent that this act would have been adopted had the unconstitutional provision not been included.

Section 106. Construction of References.-When, in this act, reference is made to any act by title, it includes any codification in which the provisions of the act referred to are substantially reenacted.

Section 107. How Act Applies.-This act shall apply to all townships of the second class as now exist and those created, established or reestablished after this act takes effect.

Section 108. Saving Clauses When Class of Township Changed.-When any township of the second class is reestablished as a township of the first class or when any township of the first class is reestablished as a township of the second class, all liabilities incurred, rights accrued or vested, obligations issued or contracted and all suits and prosecutions pending or to be instituted to enforce any right or penalty accrued or punish any offense committed before the change of class and all resolutions, rules and regulations shall continue with the same force and effect as if no change had been made.

Section 109. Legal Advertising.-When notice is required to be published by a township in one or more newspapers, unless otherwise specified, publication shall be made in the legal notice section in a newspaper of general circulation in the township, as defined by 45 Pa.C. S. (relating to legal notices). When the notice relates to any proceeding or matter in any court or the holding of an election for the increase of indebtedness or the issue and sale of bonds to be paid by taxation, the notice shall also be published in the legal newspaper of the county, if any, so designated by the rules of court. Auditors' statements, summaries of auditors' statements, notices of public meetings and hearings, notices of budget proposals, ordinances, lists of delinquent taxpayers and advertisements inviting proposals for public contracts and for bids for materials and supplies shall be published only in newspapers of general circulation.

Select an Article Article 1 Preliminary Provisions Article 2 Classification, Creation, Reestablishment and Change of Name of Townships Article 3 TOWNSHIP LINES AND BOUNDARIES Article 4 Election of Officers; Vacancies in Office Article 5 Township Officers Generally Article 6 Township Supervisors Article 7 Township Treasurer Article 8 Township Secretary Article 9 Auditors; Accountants Article 10 Tax Collector; Assessor Article 11 Township Solicitor Article 12 Township Engineer Article 13 Township Manager Article 14 County and State Associations of Townships Article 15 Corporate Powers Article 16 Ordinances Article 17 Public Buildings Article 18 Fire Prevention and Protection Article 19 Township Police Article 20 Street Lights Article 21 Solid Waste Collection and Disposition Article 22 Parks, Recreation Centers and Forests Article 23 Roads, Streets, Bridges and Highways Article 24 Sidewalks, Footpaths and Curbs Article 25 Sanitary Sewers Article 26 Water Supply Article 27 Storm Water Management Plans and Facilities Article 28 Manufacture and Sale of Electricity Article 29 Shade Tree Commission Article 30 Board of Health Article 31 Contracts Article 32 Taxation and Finance Article 33 Collection of Assessments Article 34 Eminent Domain; Assessment OF Damages and Benefits Article 35 Violation of Act Generally Article 36 Actions by Townships Article 37 Repeals