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Library Services

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1. How Many Books Can I Check Out at One Time?

As long as your account is in good standing (fine balance is under $20), there is no limit to how many books you may have checked out at one time.

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Parks & Recreation

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1. What is the fee to rent the park?

The fee for 2022 is $125 for a 4 hour rental, for 75 people or less.  Rentals periods do not extend beyond 4 hours and groups are limited to 75 people, maximum.

2. How do I obtain park permit?

Permits are required for groups of 20 persons or more, or if you would like to reserve exclusive use of the pavilion at Hoffman Park.

Applications should be submitted no less than fourteen (14) days, prior to the requested event date.

Review the free/busy calendar here  to see if the date you’d like is available in our calendar.

Fill out the park request form here and someone will get back to you within 2-3 business days to confirm your date and give instructions on paying for the permit.

If you are unable to access the online permit request form, please call the Parks and Recreation office at 610-284-1493 or email LansdowneParks@gmail.com.

If you have been approved for a park permit, please call 610-623-7300 x210 to make a payment.

3. Why are park rentals only four (4) hours? Can I buy extra time?

Park rentals are limited to 4 hours to reduce the impact that individual events have on the park, those who live adjacent to the park and the community as a whole.  We’ve found that the longer events go on, the more likely it is that we will receive complaints about noise, trash and quality of life issues.  For this reason, we are unable to extend the park permits longer than a 4 hour rental. 

4. Why are park rentals limited to 75 people? Can I pay for extra people?

Park rentals are limited to 75 people to reduce the impact that individual events have on the park and community as a whole.  We’ve found that groups larger than 75 people have a negative impact on the park infrastructure and we are unable to safely accommodate parking for groups larger than 75 people.

5. Why can’t we stay in the park after dark?

While we do have some path lighting, the park is quite dark once the sun has gone down for the day.  We don’t want people to have to find their way out of the park after dark, therefore the park closes at 9pm or sundown, whichever is earlier.

6. How long do we have to setup/breakdown our event?

Our expectation is that you have ½ hour for setup, up to four (4) hours for your event, and ½ hour for breakdown.  Please be sure to exit the park and remove vehicles from parking areas before sundown.

7. Are there bathrooms?

Bathrooms are located adjacent to the tennis courts.  While the bathrooms are waterless, they are stocked with hand sanitizer and toilet paper on a regular basis.  We suggest you bring an extra roll of toilet paper & bottle of hand sanitizer, in case supplies run low during your event.

8. Is there electricity or running water?

There is no electricity or water available for public use.

9. Can we grill?

Grilling is allowed, but you must bring your own grill and use it on the grass.  Grilling is NOT allowed under the pavilion, adjacent to the shed or any structures, or in landscaped areas, due to fire concerns.  Please take all grills and used gas canisters/charcoal ash with you after your event.  Do not place used charcoal or used ashes in the park.

10. What do we do with our trash?

Please bring your own trash bags and bag all trash, both during your event and prior to leaving the park/pavilion.  You are responsible for bagging and removing all of the trash generated by your event.  Properly filled and closed trash bags may be placed by the trashcans adjacent to Scottdale road.  Please do not overload park trash cans with event trash.

11. Where can we park?

A limited number of parking spaces are available in the three parking lots adjacent to the park, and at the nearby Gateway Park lot.  Parking is not permitted overnight, along roadways or driveways, in the park, on the grass, or on private property.  Cars may be ticketed or towed for non-compliance.

12. What about refunds?

Park permit fees are non-refundable, but dates may be rescheduled for up to a year from the original permit date. If your group is unable to use the park due to weather or other situations that arise, so long as they are communicated via email BEFORE the start of your event day/time, you may be eligible to have your event rescheduled.

13. What about reserving the athletic fields or courts, for organized groups or leagues?

Permits are required for any organized leagues, teams or groups of 20 persons or more.

Please call the Parks and Recreation office at 610-284-1493 or email LansdowneParks@gmail.com for more information.

14. What is the fee to reserve use of the athletic fields or courts?

The fee for 2022 is $150 per team, per day of the week used, for an 8 week season.  Eg Monday Nights, 6-8pm, March to May = $150; Monday, Tuesday & Friday nights, 6-8pm, March to May = $450.

While you may submit a request online, leagues are scheduled through the P&R office in late February for Spring & Summer use, and mid-Summer for Fall use.

Certificate of insurance for all leagues is required.

15. What other parks can be found in Lansdowne?

Find out about our parks by taking a look at our Park Finder brochure:

https://www.lansdowneborough.com/DocumentCenter/View/1003/ParksNRecBroFINALweb2

We allow limited rentals at Sycamore Park for small groups/photography/weddings

16. What are the park rules?

(No) Selling or vending…

-ticketed events

-business-related

-political event/rally

Some of the park rules are as follows:

(No Loud) Music…

• Radios/speakers
• DJ equipment
• Live music; amplified v acoustic
• Etc

Food trucks or other mobile catering services,  Moonbounce or other inflatables, Projection of movies, Pony or animal rides: need additional review and approval, prior to your event.  

Please call our office for details 610-284-1493 or email LansdowneParks@gmail.com.

Other Questions, See Park ordinance, below:

“Prohibited Acts”

• Alcohol or Narcotics 
• Fireworks
• Balloons and/or sky lanterns; see Ordinance 2020-01, amendment to Chapter 216, “Littering and Dumping”
• Sales or soliciting Peddling & Soliciting

See the Borough Code Chapter 235

17. What does the Borough Code regulate regarding park rentals & use?

Borough Code 235

Hours of operation. 

[Amended 5-3-2017 by Ord. No. 1307]

Lansdowne park areas are open to the public between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. during the summer season, and between 8:00 a.m. and sundown during the remainder of the year unless longer use is authorized by a special permit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the park located in Borough Parking Lot No. 1 (between Lansdowne Avenue and Owen Avenue) shall be open between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

§ 235-2

Hazardous conditions. 

Any Borough park that becomes hazardous for public use due to weather, water, fire or other conditions may be closed at the discretion of the Park Board.

§ 235-3

Prohibited acts. 

The following actions are prohibited:

A. Possession or use of alcoholic beverages or narcotics; provided, however, that the possession and use of alcoholic beverages are permitted in the park located in Borough Parking Lot No. 1 (between Lansdowne Avenue and Owen Avenue) during the hours in which such park is open pursuant to § 235-1 above.

[Amended 5-3-2017 by Ord. No. 1307]

B. Boisterous, immoral or indecent conduct.

C. Discarding of trash, garbage or other litter, except into containers provided by the Borough for that purpose for picnickers.

D. Damaging, defacing or destroying or removing any property, building, sign, structure, equipment or other material; driving nails or other hardware into trees.

E. Posting of signs, distributing, selling, servicing or renting of any supplies, equipment, material or commodity whatsoever or soliciting for any purpose, without written authorization.

F. Operating, stopping or parking of any vehicles, except in designated parking areas.

G. Operating any vehicle on roads adjacent to parks in a reckless or negligent manner, in excess of the posted speed limit or in such a manner as to endanger other park users or in violation of laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any Borough ordinance.

H. Discharge of any type of firearm or air gun, or possession or discharge of any type bows and arrows, slingshots or fireworks.

[Amended 10-20-2010 by Ord. No. 1256]

I. Hunting, trapping and the training of dogs.

J. Camping, picnicking and all fires, except in designated areas and facilities.

K. Ball playing or horseshoe pitching, except in designated areas.

L. Pets except when kept on a leash not exceeding six feet in length and attended at all times and only in conformity with all Borough ordinances relating to control of animals.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 129, Animals.

M. All groups or gatherings of 20 persons or more except when granted a permit by the Park Board.

N. The operation of any type of motor vehicle, such as minibikes, snowmobiles, motorcycles or any vehicle with a motor attached, in any of the parks.

O. Operation of model airplanes or other motorized model equipment unless authorized by the Park Board.

P. Abandoning of any motor vehicle or the repairing of any motor vehicle on parkland or on motor vehicle parking facilities.

§ 235-4

Violations and penalties. 

[Amended 9-21-1988 by Ord. No. 1080; 6-16-1999 by Ord. No. 1155]

Any person violating any of the above rules and regulations shall, upon conviction thereof before a Magisterial District Judge, be subject to a fine of not more that $600, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment of such fine and costs, to imprisonment for not more than 30 days.

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Public Works - Plowing

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1. When is it okay to park on my street during a snow event?

Lansdowne Borough's parking limits do not change before, during, or after a snow event. However, if you have access to off-street parking option you are encouraged to take advantage and use it. Doing so will enable a more thorough and effective plowing. A more thorough plowing pass will increase the available on-street parking after the snow event.

2. Whom may I call if I have a suggestion, complaint, or request?

For normal snow plowing operations call 610-622 -6318. For medical, fire or police emergencies, call 911.

3. Why did they plow only half of the street, and when will they plow the other half?

The goal of the overall plowing service is to open an accessible path on all streets. It is not possible to plow curb-to-curb during a storm. Plows will return as time, manpower, and the storm permits. Subsequent passes to widen the pathway will happen as is reasonable given typical obstructions of parked cars, packed ice, the volume of snow, temperatures, and the forecast of future snowfall.

4. Why did the snowplow leave a ridge in front of my driveway, and why is it my responsibility to get rid of it?

The ridge left behind from a snowplow pass is called a windrow. The windrow is typically higher than the undisturbed snow level. A windrow cannot be avoided. The Borough does not have resources to remove windrows, therefore, it becomes the property owners' responsibility to create access to the driveway. In doing so, property owners should pile snow onto their own property and not in the right-of-way. 

Windrows can be minimized by the strategy depicted in the cleared roadway diagram (PNG). That is, clearing the space in the area before the driveway will drain the volume of snow that is in the plow before it reaches the driveway. This will eliminate or minimize the end of driveway windrow.

5. What if they missed plowing my street?

The Borough's Snow Removal Policy requires that main arterial roadways and major collectors be plowed first, and remain passable. Therefore operators may not begin plowing residential streets for several hours after the snow has stopped falling, and may not be substantially completed for up to two days after the storm ends. If all other streets in your area have been plowed and yours has not, please call 610-622 -6318.

6. Why don’t City drivers put the blades down and plow all the snow off down to the pavement?

The Borough equipment uses "gravity" plows that are mounted on the same trucks used for public works in all seasons. These plows do not have the ability to put pressure down; therefore, they are incapable of cutting ice or packed snow. Further, the collision-force of a moving plow against an irregular street, curb, protruding manhole, etc. can severely damage the frame of a vehicle.

7. It seems like we’re always plowed last. Why can’t we be first sometimes?

In addition to the aforementioned priorities, operators follow a pattern of clearing the most highly used streets first in combination with most efficient routing through the existing pattern of streets.

8. I am elderly or disabled and can’t shovel snow. What can I do?

If possible, connect with and hire a neighbor or some other temporary help to clear the sidewalks, or call local service groups, or churches for help with private property snow removal. Be prepared and do this early in the season and call to confirm each year who you have delegated this responsibility to.

9. Can the City’s snowplow operator plow my driveway if I am elderly, disabled, or not physically able to shovel?

Unfortunately, the Borough does not have the resources to plow driveways of those who are unable to do so. Our primary goal is to use the resources we have to provide safe and reliable roadways in the most efficient manner possible. We encourage those who are not able to shovel to ask neighbors for assistance or hire a private snowplow service.

10. Why does it take so long for my road to be plowed?

The Borough’s snowplow program is prioritized on a “greatest impact” basis. A typical storm does not provoke prioritization. When the impact and/or prediction of a significant storm provoke prioritization the following streets will be plowed:

• Essex Avenue East of Lansdowne Avenue
• Highland Avenue south of Stratford Avenue
• Nyack Avenue
• Owen Avenue
• Plumstead Avenue
• Scottdale Road
• Shadeland Avenue
• Union Avenue

State Roads

Of note, Lansdowne, Stewart, Marshall, and Baltimore Avenues are state roads and the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). This allows residents some mobility within the community and ensures emergency services are as accessible as possible. Once these routes are accessible and the snow has completely or substantially subsided the smaller and less traveled side streets are plowed. During a prolonged and heavy snow event, it may be necessary for the snowplow to remain on the arterial and collector roads for longer periods to keep up with the snow, which can cause a significant delay in getting to the residential streets. Also, your road may be plowed in the middle of the night and, when you wake up in the morning, more snow may have accumulated.

11. What if it snows on trash day?

Do not assume the Borough sanitation services are closed during or after a snow event. However, unless a clear and dry path to your normal trash can area has been made residents must bring containers to the curbside. The Borough will work until all streams of sanitation collection are collected, regardless if the street was plowed or not. Due to snow conditions, regular starting points on the routes could change due to accessibility and routes may be continued the next day if unsafe conditions exist.

12. When do the snowplows get deployed and how long are they out?

The Borough monitors the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. If inclement weather is forecasted, a snow removal crew is activated to monitor and adjust to actual conditions. If there is a high probability of a snow event, a base crew will be mobilized to prepare equipment, etc. When the snow starts falling a full cadre will be deployed. This means we may have up to 5 snowplow operators on the streets. Crews remain on 12-hour shifts for 24-hour coverage until the storm is over. After the storm, the crews conduct "clean-up" operations to increase the passable lane and to make room for snow from future storms.

13. What if I have an emergency and can’t get out of my house?

In the event of an emergency, call 911. If the Police Department determines you have a qualifying emergency, a plow will be dispatched to help emergency crews get access.

14. How can citizens help during the snow season?

• Prepare for the snow season - get the necessary equipment, including snow shovels, snow blower, and tire chains.
• Be aware of weather forecasts; The National Weather Service reliably predicts winter storm activity. Be sure to obtain prescription medications, groceries, and other necessities prior to the arrival of the storm whenever possible.
• If you live on a private street, get together with neighbors and have a plan for plowing.
• Know what is too much. If a significant storm is approaching and you have a job that requires you to be there, arrange to have your driveway plowed by a private contractor. In the event of heavy snowfall, you may need to have the contractor plow more than once to keep up with our plows, which are also trying to keep up with the snowfall.
• If possible, please help neighbors who are elderly or disabled by shoveling their driveway.
• Do not shovel snow back onto the roadway. It is dangerous and you could be held liable in the event of an accident.
• Don't take it personally, Borough plow operators are doing their job and not intentionally trying to create a hardship for you. Remember, they too wake up or come home to a driveway and sidewalk that needs clearing.
• Avoid unnecessary travel in winter driving conditions.

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Zoning & Code FAQ's

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1. What information do I need to obtain a deck permit?

To obtain a deck permit, please let us know the following:

• What type of house is deck being attached to? Single Twin MOD?
• How high is the deck above Grade?  
• \What is the size of the proposed deck?

2. Sheds: If I want to erect a shed, does it require a permit?

All sheds require Zoning permits. Some may require building permits. The difference is whether the shed is pre-built or built on site. Most pre-built sheds do not require building permits unless placed on a new concrete slab at which point then a building permit is required for the concrete slab. The Borough does require plans as to the  hold down building anchors of how is the shed secure to ground. Most of the time it's done with a screw type anchor, the kind they use in RV parks. Some restrictions mandated by the Codes will be applied. 

3. Can I concrete my entire backyard?

Cementing your backyard requires a zoning permit. Furthermore, you may not concrete the entire back yard since zoning code restrictions would apply to impervious surface requirements, and stormwater.

4. How do I file a zoning or code concern?

For detailed instructions on submitting a request or concern, please CLICK HERE

Additional Information...

5. I filed a concern a while ago. Why is it taking so long to resolve?

The Borough is required to follow a legal process, determined by civil and criminal procedures, to establish Municipal Code applicability in relation to an alleged violation. The process involves providing notice to the property owner and allowing the owner an opportunity to work with the Borough toward the goal of compliance. This can be followed by legal action that may include recording a Notice of Violation against the property owner, the filing of a citation, and possible criminal charges depending on the nature of the violation. These processes may take weeks or months to culminate. Since the goal is voluntary compliance, legal actions are a last resort once informal measures are exhausted.

Some issues that often affect resolving compliance matters:

• There may be difficulties finding or contacting the owner since there are a high number of absentee property owners and rentals in town.
• The owner may dispute the violation.
• The owner may have difficulty abating the violations due to the complexities of the case.
• The owner may choose to pursue the judicial resolution.
• The judicial resolution is time-intensive and may result in multiple continuations.

6. I recently received a Notice of Violation for a Code violation. Is this the same thing as getting a ticket?

No, a Notice of Violation is a written warning to the owner/resident that there is a violation of one or more town ordinances. If the violation has not been corrected after 7 to 14 days, the owner/resident may then be issued a summons into Municipal Court

7. I recently received a ticket for a Code violation. What do I do now?

The Borough of Lansdowne instituted an Instant Ticket program where certain violations of the code can be issued an Instant Ticket, The violations so noted, come with an instant fine of $25.00 per violation, payable within 30 days. The violations must be corrected within 10 days of the ticket issue date.  Failure to pay or correct the violation will be just cause for citations being issued against the violator, owner, or legal representative.

8. Can I remain anonymous when reporting a Code Enforcement violation?

Yes. We do not require that you provide any personal information. However, having more information at hand will often assist us in conducting a more thorough investigation. Remember that all information you choose to provide is subject to Public Record laws.

9. I bought a property from a bank, auction or sheriff sale and need a U & O?

Look under Property Sold "As Is" for the correct path to follow to obtain a U & 0 for properties Bought ’As is" without a U & 0.

Property Sold "As Is" - Additional Information....