Spring Garden Township – Spring Garden Township

Spring Garden Township
York County, Pennsylvania

Guide

Select from the tabs above for quick access to information easily accessible from our homepage.

Seeking Recreation Commission Members:

Spring Garden Township is re-establishing its Recreation Commission and is seeking residents and property owners to serve as members.

If you or someone you know in the Township would be a good fit for the Recreation Commission, please see the link below. We are looking forward to significant participation in our future Recreation Commission and programming.

Request for Recreation Commission Members

Subdivision and Land Development Application Submission Guidelines – the policy was adopted by resolution February 2023. The application submission policy provides guidance on various ordinances & regulations which govern the preparation and submission and resubmissions of subdivision and/or land development plans.

Stormwater / MS4

What is an MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System)?

An MS4 or Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System is a general permit mandated by the USEPA that authorizes the discharge of stormwater from municipal separate storm sewers to waters of the US. These storm sewers only convey storm water, not combined waste or sewage.

Spring Garden Township is required to develop, implement, and enforce their Stormwater Management Ordinance (SWM) to reduce the discharge of pollutants from the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) to protect water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act and PA Clean Streams Law. The MS4 permit makes up the SWM.

The SWM and MS4 permit consist of six Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) to be met by Spring Garden Township.

Minimum Control Measures (MCMs)

The six MCMs include:

Public Education & Outreach
Public Participation and Involvement
Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
Construction Site Runoff Control Measures
Post-construction Runoff Control Measures
Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

Each MCM also has Best Management Practices (BMPs) associated with each which outline the practices the Township must incorporate in order to satisfy each MCM.

Illicit Discharge

What is an Illicit Discharge?

An illicit discharge is any discharge to an MS4 that is not composed entirely of stormwater or uncontaminated groundwater. The only things entering an MS4 should be uncontaminated groundwater or stormwater that is free of pollutants, debris, oils, residues, etc.

Why are Illicit Discharges a Problem?

Illicit discharges are a problem because they can pollute waterways without any treatment. Water from the storm sewer system typically is discharged directly from storm pipes to waterways so any pollutants being carried in the stormwater will also enter waterways.

Identifying an Illicit Discharge

An illicit discharge may have occurred if you notice that a storm sewer is discharging water, or if water or other liquids (other than stormwater) are entering the MS4. If the storm sewer is conveying water when there has been no rain, there is a chance it could be a sign of an illicit discharge.

How Can You Help?

You may notice stormwater inlets near your property, along roadways, or near businesses. You can monitor these stormwater inlets and take note if it seems like anything has been dumped into the storm sewer system.

If you do notice any potential pollutants entering the stormwater sewer system, please contact the Township during normal business hours. Outside of regular business hours, call the police non-emergency line, 717-843-0851.

Private Stormwater Conveyance Infrastructure – property owner responsibility

Permits

Stormwater Management Application – Include a site diagram showing the square footage of all existing and proposed impervious surfaces.

Documents

Educational Materials

Be Wise When You Fertilize

Refuse / Recycling

For all refuse billing questions please contact Penn Waste Inc.

717-767-4456 or visit the website at www.pennwaste.com.

Street Opening and Restoration Ordinance Amendment – Jan. 2024

Spring Garden Township is hereby posting on its website certain legislative or administrative items that may be considered by the Spring Garden Township Board of Commissioners at a future public meeting. The Township does not have the legal obligation to post such items on its website but is doing so as a courtesy to its residents and businesses. The failure of the Township to post such items in the future shall not be deemed a failure to adequately or timely notify residents of the consideration of such matters nor should it create a basis to challenge the consideration of any item by the Board of Commissioners. Absent certain exceptions, you should review meeting agendas to determine items that may be considered by the Board of Commissioners.

To view the results of the Comprehensive Plan Survey, click on the Story Map link below and go to section labeled Spring Garden Township Open House. Your feedback is welcomed. Click on the red box “Tell us what you think” to provide your feedback.

Spring Garden and York Townships are embarking on an exciting journey to shape the future of our community through a joint comprehensive plan. The goal of this planning effort is to analyze both communities as a geographic area to coordinate regulatory, service, and capital improvement decisions, reflecting a collective vision for growth, development, and sustainability.

Comprehensive Plan Information & Meeting Schedule

Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee:

Michael Thomas – Ward 1
Alex Bishop – Ward 2
Brian Ports – Ward 3
John Luciani – Ward 4
Jason Langheine – Ward 5
Mark Sindicich – Community Stakeholder
Jason Wehrle– Community Stakeholder
Amy Mitten – SGT Planning Commission

Use the QR code below to view the Story Map for the Spring Garden and York Township Comprehensive Plan Kickoff meeting held 5/20/24.

Story Map

Police Merger Consideration

Following the retirement notice of Police Chief Swartz, the township began the process of reviewing the financial sustainability of the organization, considered the cost of joining a regional department, and explored what challenges may arise from regionalization.

Consideration of Police Merger

Join our Facebook page Spring Garden Township Recreation to stay up-to-date on all our upcoming events.

Here is a list of Community Sports contacts not associated with Spring Garden Township.

Other Upcoming Events

Join us for preschool Pete the Cat Craft and Storytime at Violet Hill Playground Register here.

Senior Stroll – Meet at 620 Kings Mill Road at 9 am on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 for a leisurely-paced walk on the Heritage Rail Trail. This a great opportunity to enjoy nature, improve your fitness level and connect with others! If you like this event, we will schedule more. Register at: https://form.jotform.com/251324125758052

Food Truck Fridays and Flashback Flicks: Join us at Elmwood Park the 4th Friday of June, July and August for Food Trucks from 5-8pm then stay for the Movie in the park at Dusk.
Dress like your favorite 80\’s, 90\’s or 00\’s movie character or wear neon each night to register to win a prize and check out the GLOW Pavilion after dark.
June 27- 80\’s night with THE GOONIES
July 25 – 90\’s night with JUMANJI
August 22 – Y2K invasion with SHREK
All movies are rated PG.
Food trucks TO BE ANNOUNCED!!!

FREE Arts in the Parks:

This year Creative York is partnering with Spring Garden Township!

Art in the Parks is Creative York’s Annual, free summer art program held at parks around York City and Spring Garden Township. For over 30 years, Creative York has been going out into the community to work with children ages 3-12 with a variety of guided art activities. Art in the Parks travels from park to park, spending Monday – Friday from 6:30-7:30pm in each neighborhood from July 14 – August 15th.

Creative York Art Classes at Violet Hill Park and Elmwood Park:

Sign-up at https://creativeyork.org/classes-camps/

Connect, Create and Play

The Recreation Coordinator and volunteers will visit different parks on Tuesday nights from June 3-July 29 to make art and play games with the community.
Bring a snack to share and enjoy a laidback evening! Children should be supervised.
Register at https://form.jotform.com/250616269848064

Trips in partnership with Springettsbury Township: