Please visit the Off Leash Dog Program page for Information regarding dogs and Lower Merion Township parks, including a list of parks where dogs are permitted.

No, paper must be separated from other recyclables. You may commingle glass, plastic, etc. but paper should be in either its own container or a paper bag beside the recycling bin.

The Township provides recycling containers only. The resident must provide their own refuse container with a capacity of no more than 48 gallons for a standard can, or no more than 20 gallons for a mini-can. Residents may purchase the refuse container of their choosing through any retailer. To request recycling containers, please fill out the Solid Waste change form.

Refuse and Recycling are collected every week. Recycling collection type is alternated week by week. Please visit the Lower Merion Trash & Recycling Guide and Schedule for more information. Please use the Address Lookup on the homepage, www.lowermerion.org, to determine your collection day.

Please fill out this form to ensure you are subscribed to the correct level of service.

Existing homeowners can use this form to add more cans or add Rear Yard collection to their subscription. Decreases in service level are only allowed during the month of December.

This bill is calculated based on your water consumption as reported by AQUA PA. If your bill does not match your AQUA water consumption, please contact the Finance department at (610) 645-4767.

Yes. The prior year's consumption creates the current year's bill. However, if you believe your water consumption will be significantly lower than the prior owner, you may be eligible for the New Homeowner's Credit.  To qualify, you must pay the current bill as it was issued and submit the required documents when you have been in the home for 12 months. If there is a difference between your usage and the prior owner's usage, the Township will issue a refund check to you.

The Township of Lower Merion offers a one-time only sanitary sewer rent credit to new homeowners who occupy the property.  The new homeowner’s credit does not apply to rental or commercial properties.
Sanitary Sewer Rent is based on water usage.  If your yearly water usage proves to be less than the prior owner’s yearly usage, the Township will refund the difference.   To qualify for this credit, you must pay the current sanitary sewer rent bill and then submit the following items:
 
1. A letter requesting the New Homeowner’s credit.

2. A copy of the settlement page that shows whether or not you received sewer rent credit.

3. Twelve consecutive (one year) water readings from Aqua Pennsylvania Company.  Please note that the last reading provided must be an actual reading.

4. Proof of payment of the sanitary sewer rent bill you’re requesting credit against.

Email all of the above to sewer@lowermerion.org

The box labeled Credit shows the gallonage that has been subtracted from your bill. That amount is subtracted from your Total usage, the result of which is the Net amount. 

After you register, you will receive a postcard around January. The card that you receive in the mail will have your Special Meter’s location, brand name, and serial number indicated. Read the rolling dials on that meter, and write them on the card or enter them into the online form. Be careful to read the Special Meter and not the main House Meter.

The main House Meter has a Black plastic piece on the DIAL and a wire that runs outside.  This is not the Special Meter, do not report that reading.  This is the main water meter for the entire house.  The Special Meter will not have the black plastic piece on the dial and it will not have a wire.

If you are having trouble reading your Special Meter, please call the Public Works Office at 610-645-6150.

If you forget to submit a reading for 1-2 years you will be allowed to submit a reading and get up to a 2-year credit. However, your credit cannot be more than your current year’s usage, and you will still be required to pay at least the minimum bill (20.0 k/gal). To ensure that you receive full credit, submit a reading every year prior to the deadline specified on the postcard you receive.

If it has been more than 3 years since you submitted a reading, you will be removed from the system and will need to re-register with the current meter reading. That reading will be treated as an initial reading and you will not get credit for the years that you did not report readings.  

Because water consumption varies by home, the best way to determine whether a Special Meter would be a good choice for you is to look at your quarterly water usage. If you see a significant spike in usage in the 3^rd quarter, and somewhat elevated usage in Q4, chances are some of that water is being used for filling a pool and/or watering the landscaping in the summer months.

To calculate your potential savings, use Q1 and Q2 as your baseline and calculate the average of those 2 numbers. Then, normalize your usage across all 4 quarters to see how much water is potentially unsewered.

Example 1: Spike in Q3, slight elevation in Q4.

Q1 & Q2 average 15.5 k/gal. Estimated unsewered consumption 32.3 k/gal in Q3 (47.8 - 32.2 = 15.5) and 10.7 k/gal in Q4 (26.2 – 10.7 = 15.5). Total estimated unsewered usage 43 k/gal. 43 x 4.51

In this example, the bill prior to the installation of a Special Meter would be the Total k/gallonage multiplied by the Rate, 105.1 x $4.51 = $474.00. With a Special Meter, assuming a meter reading of 43 k/gal, the unsewered amount would be subtracted from the bill as follows. 105.1 - 43 = 62.1 x 4.51 = $280.07. This would be a savings of $193.93. Depending on the cost of the meter and installation, this meter would likely pay for itself in just a couple of years.

Example 2: stable usage, no significant savings

In this example, the water consumption is stable across all 4 quarters. This resident likely does not do a significant amount of exterior watering or have a pool. They would not realize any savings by installing a Special Meter. 

Once you have the meter installed, please complete this form. If you prefer to print and mail the form, you may do so by printing this form.  You must register your meter and report an annual reading to receive credit for the unsewered water. At the beginning of next year, a Special Meter Reading card will be mailed to you.  You will return the card with a current reading and the usage will be deducted from the next sanitary sewer rent bill.

No, we cannot issue a retroactive credit without a Special Meter reading. Per the Township Code §126-12, and Ord. No. 1842, “the quantity of water so used and not discharged into the Township sewers must be measured by a device or devices approved by the Director of Public Works and installed without cost to the Township.”

If your question is related to payment of the bill, call the Township Treasurer's Office at 610-645-6181.

If your question is related to the water consumption at your home, contact AQUA PA. 

If your question is about the sewer itself (permits, connections, etc.), contact the Sanitary Sewer Division of Public Works. 

For other questions related to the sewer bill, contact sewer@lowermerion.org or call 610-645-4767.

Citizens are encouraged to assist the Department by reporting all compliments or complaints to the Staff and Inspections Unit (610-645-6250) on weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You may report a complaint in person, by letter, or by phone and the report can be anonymous.  During weekend and evening hours, you may contact the Communications Center at 610-649-1000 and request an on-duty police supervisor.  You may also use the linked complaint form and submit it via e-mail (police@lowermerion.org), conventional mail, or bring it to the police station.

The Police Department welcomes compliments. If you are impressed by an officer’s professional demeanor, prompt response to a particular incident, or simply his or her courteousness, you are encouraged to mail or e-mail (police@lowermerion.org) a brief note to the attention of the Superintendent of Police who will ensure that the officer receives a copy of your letter.

Yes they are. There are many things you should consider while setting up and using a fire pit.

• Keep away from flammable material and fluids such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, and charcoal lighter fluid or vehicles while in use.
• Keep it a minimum of 15 feet away from buildings.
• Do not use flammable fluids such as gasoline, alcohol, diesel fuel, kerosene, and charcoal lighter fluid to light or relight fires. 
• Exercise the same precautions you would with an open fire.
• Do not allow children to use the fire pit. Keep children and pets away. 
• Do not wear flammable or loose fitting clothing such as nylon. 
• Do not burn trash, leaves, paper, cardboard, or plywood. Avoid using soft wood such as pine or cedar that likely pop and throw sparks. Use of seasoned hardwood is suggested.
• Before starting the fire, make sure that the lid will still close to extinguish the fire in case of emergency. Do not overload.
• Before you light the fire, check the wind direction.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose nearby.

A solicitors permit is required for anyone canvasing the township offering services, wares or goods for sale.  Exemptions for the permit requirement are as follows; This article shall not apply to boys or girls under 19 years of age who take orders for and deliver newspapers, greeting cards, candy and the like for schools or school-related associations or scholarships, or who represent the Boy Scout and Girl Scout or similar organizations and take orders for and deliver cookies and the like, nor to any person who works for an organization which has registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State, as required by that statute known as the "Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act," as amended from time to time, or which is exempt from such registration.  Additionally, this article does not apply to any person engaging in snow removal or yard work, including, but not limited to, the raking of leaves or cutting of grass, except that this exclusion shall not apply to persons soliciting to provide the aforementioned services on more than one occasion by written contract. 

The basic 2026 Standard Level subscription is $465. 

For those who place refuse/recycling for collection at the curb, no further fees were incurred.

Residents may use many different sizes of trash containers up to a maximum of 48 gallons.

A single container 20-gallon capacity or less - weight limit of 25 pounds each

A single container 48-gallon capacity or less - weight limit of 50 pounds each

The Township provides collection and disposal services to all single-family dwellings, all two-family dwellings and all apartments containing four or fewer dwelling units. Collection by the Township is optional for residential buildings of five to fifty units, but not from dumpsters. The Township does not collect commercial waste.

Refuse and Recycling are collected once a week at curbside or from the rear yard by municipal employees. Residents are required to recycle plastic, glass, aluminum food and beverage containers (comingled) and mixed paper. Recycling collection type is alternated week by week. Please visit the Lower Merion Trash & Recycling Guide and Schedule for more information. Please use the Address Lookup on the homepage, www.lowermerion.org, to determine your collection day. Residents are charged a Solid Waste Fee based on their container subscription level. There is no limit on recyclables.

The SWF is an enterprise fund which is intended to be self-supporting through user fees charged for services to residential customers. The purpose of the SWF is to account for revenues and expenditures related to the state mandated disposal of refuse and recycling.

Yes.  They are as follows:

Individual Township departments may make purchases via their own staff for supplies/services where the value does not exceed $3,000 and are NOT under contract via annual supply contracts. The Purchasing Division will obtain price quotes for supplies/services where the value falls between $3,000 and $10,500. For purchases between $10,500 and $19,400 the Township adheres to the First Class Township Code and solicits multiple quotes from qualified suppliers.

For most purchases exceeding $19,400 formal sealed bids are required. This requires that an advertisement be placed in the local paper with a set time and place for receipt of a sealed bid.

There are many different smoke detector/alarms available on the market but they fall under two basic types:

• Ionization
• Photoelectric

Ionization alarms sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs.  Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoking fires.  There are also combination smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit, called dual sensor smoke alarms.

Because both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting distinctly different yet potentially fatal fires, and because homeowners cannot predict what type of fire will occur in a home, the USFA (U.S. Fire Administration) recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or a dual sensor smoke alarms.

The Lower Merion Fire Department reminds you to change the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year.  An easy reminder is to change your batteries when you change your clocks!

For complete coverage in residential homes, smoke detectors should be installed in all rooms, halls, storage areas, basements and attics.  Minimum coverage is one detector on each level.

However, we suggest that you:

• Put a smoke detector in every sleeping quarter.
• Put a smoke detector on every floor of your home.
• Put a smoke detector as close to the center of the ceiling as possible.
• Acceptable locations are no closer than 4" from side wall. You may mount on the wall at least 4" from the ceiling, but no more than 6" from the ceiling. 

Dog LIcenses will be sold at the front counter of the police station Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm effective January 2, 2008.

Dog Licenses are also available on line, please use the following link to obtain your license. 

• www.padogLicense.com

Citizens must avoid parking cars in the street on the days their district is scheduled for sweeping.

Only streets with curbing are swept, which amounts to approximately 410 curb miles. The fall sweep tends to be the most challenging because of the number of leaves that collect on Township streets.

• Report a pothole: 610-645-6150
• Find out about snow removal and salting operations:

• During a declared snow emergency: 610-726-7127 (storm command center)
• After snow emergency has been suspended: 610-645-6150 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
• For police, fire, or medical emergencies:  911

• Report a missing or damaged street sign: 610-645-6150
• Request a new street name sign: 610-645-6150
• Request a no parking, speed limit or stop sign: 610-645-6260; Traffic Safety - Police
• Report a storm water problem: 610-645-6150
• Inquire about the Township’s recycling program: 610-667-1952 or 1953
• To find out when my trash is collected: 610-667-1952 or 1953
• Get a copy of the trash and recycling schedule: 610-667-1952 or 1953

For non-emergencies, please call the Public Works office at 610-645-6150 during normal working hours 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For non-emergencies after hours and on weekends, contact the Lower Merion Township Police Department at 610-649-1000.

 Stormwater Management - the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has lots of information of stormwater management programs and best practice.

Bulky items, large appliances and other items normally collected with a special pickup are:

Air Conditioner Antenna (TV) Auto Parts (150 lb. limit) Barbeque Grill Bed Frame Bicycle Box Spring (wrapped in a mattress bag) Cabinets Carpet (rolled) Chair Couch or Sofa Dehumidifier Dishwasher Dryer Doors Downspouts/Gutters Freezer (door removed) Golf Clubs Lawn Furniture

Laundry Tubs Luggage or Trunk Lawn Mower (with gas removed) Metal (misc.) Mattress (wrapped in a mattress bag) Padding (rolled) Pipes (4' maximum length) Refrigerator (doors removed) Radiator Stove Sink  Toilet Toys Trash Can(s) Washer Water Heater Wood (4' maximum length)

NO CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
NO HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
NO ELECTRONICS

Items other than those listed above may be subject to non-collection, in which case the fee for Special pick-up will be refunded.

Recyclables include commingled items, mixed paper, and textiles. Commingled items include green, brown and clear glass; #1 through #7 plastics; and metal and bi-metallic food and beverage cans. You may have lids on these items. Place your commingled items in the yellow recycling bin supplied by the Township.

Mixed paper includes newspapers, magazines, catalogs, "junk mail", telephone books, notebooks and school papers (including spiral bound books), soft and hardback books and textbooks, shopping and pet food bags (without plastic liners), chipboard packaging (including nonperishable food boxes), beer and soda cartons and six-pack packaging, cracker, cake and cereal boxes (without plastic pouches or inserts). Mixed paper is to be tied or placed in brown kraft-type paper bags next to your recycling bin.

Corrugated cardboard is also accepted.  Cardboard boxes must be broken down to 4' x 4' x12".

Textiles consist of clothing and fabric. Textiles are not collected by Township crews. They can, however, be taken to the Township’s recycling drop-off center located at the entrance to the Robert J. Koegel Public Works Complex, 1300 Woodbine Avenue, Penn Valley.

Leaves must be placed at the curb in compostable paper bags only for weekly collection on your normal collection day. Plastic bags not accepted. You may purchase the compostable brown paper bags from your local hardware stores or the Transfer Station at the Public Works Complex on Woodbine Avenue. The charges for the leaf bags are $0.52 per bag or $26 for 50 bags (plus tax).

Leaves are not to be raked, blown, or dumped in Township parks or properties. Leaves from residents' property are not to be raked or blown into the street. IT IS ILLEGAL TO BURN LEAVES IN THE TOWNSHIP.

Small shrubs and tree trimmings may be placed in compostable paper bags. Other trimmings no larger than four feet in length, six inches in diameter, and bundled no more than eighteen inches in diameter can be placed for collection. Branches may be brought to the Transfer Station if under four feet in length. Logs six inches to eighteen inches in diameter may be dropped off at the Transfer Station. This is free for residents, non-residents for a charge of twelve cents a pound. We do not accept logs over eighteen inches in diameter.

BURNING BRANCHES AND TWIGS IS ILLEGAL in the Township. 

The Tax Collector Office is located at Lower Merion Township Building, 75 E Lancaster Ave, Second Floor, Ardmore, PA 19003-2376

While the Township does not accept motor oil for recycling, the following service stations will do so: Haliman Sunoco, Woodside & Lancaster Avenues, Ardmore; Fritsch’s Exxon, Montgomery & Woodside Avenues, Ardmore; Mike’s Amoco, 500 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford; and Laird’s Gulf, 949 Montgomery Avenue, Narberth.

You can also bring it to the Hazardous Waste Collection Day at the Koegel Complex in Penn Valley. This is usually held on Sunday in October and will be advertised well in advance on this website and on social media. 

The office is open to the public, Monday through Friday, 10AM to 3PM. You need to bring the entire bill as it is needed for processing. There is a $3 fee associated with reprinting the bill in this office. Always check the township website for designated holiday schedule.

There are two real estate tax bills: Township/County Real Estate and School District Real Estate.

There is also a Sanitary Sewer Rent bill, which is not a tax, but a municipal utility. Some apartments and condominiums do not receive the Sanitary Sewer Rent bill. You can email taxcollector@lowermerion.org for more information.

Township/County Real Estate: mailed at the end of January
Sanitary Sewer Rent: mailed at the end of May
School District Real Estate: mailed at the end of June

You must check your bill or contact taxcollector@lowermerion.org for the exact deadlines as they may be extended if they fall on a weekend or a federal holiday.

You can email us at the taxcollector@lowermerion.org with your inquiry. We post current bills on our website, but we do not share payment status publicly.

Once tax bills are released, they are publicly available on our portal: https://www.treasurerlmt.org/. You can also contact the Tax Collector’s office and we will email you a duplicate copy of your bill. Please note that failure to receive a real estate tax bill does not absolve a taxpayer from their obligation to pay their bills in a timely manner.

No, do not send a solid waste fee only. Your mortgage company pays the entire bill as our office does not accept partial payments.

Township/County is billed on the calendar year (January 1^st – December 31^st) while School District Real Estate is billed on the fiscal year (July 1^st – June 30^th of the following year).

There is a 2% discount on each bill if it is paid within the first 2 months.

Deadlines cannot be extended for any reason.

The Lower Merion School District may be willing to grant a one-time waiver of the 10% penalty for School District Real Estate taxes at your primary residence. You must contact them at taxes@lmsd.org.

For the School District Real Estate tax bill you have the option to pay in three equal installments, respectively due at the end of August, end of September, and end of October. You will not receive the 2% discount if you choose to pay in installments. If any installment deadline is missed, a 10% penalty will be applied to that installment only.

There is no installment option for the Township/County or Sanitary Sewer Rent bill.

If you recently purchased your property, the name and mailing address on the bill may still reflect the previous owner. We cannot change the bill once it is generated, as it is linked to your property’s parcel numbers. The current owner is responsible for paying taxes on their parcel. The name and address on the bill should be automatically updated by the next mailing.

We must receive a notice of a change in writing. Please email taxcollector@lowermerion.org requesting a mailing address update.

Our office is required by the State of Pennsylvania to mail tax bills to all homeowners as we do not track what parcels are paid from an escrow.

If your payment was deducted from your bank account but nothing was due at the township, it will be refunded. Refunds take at minimum three weeks as we must verify that the funds do not bounce before they are returned.

You do not need to contact us requesting a mailing address update unless you would like the bills to go to a location other than the property address. We are already legally required to mail bills to the property owner.

You may find it convenient to sign up for tax bill notifications so you are aware of when bills have been mailed. You may also want to consider signing up for automatic withdrawal of real estate taxes from your bank account.

MCCC stands for Montgomery County Community College.

The Homestead Exemption gives you a reduction on LMSD Real Estate taxes at your primary residence. Please direct all inquiries to Montgomery County at 610-278-3761 as our office does not process this exemption. You must apply for it on or before March 1^st of the year unless an application has already been filed and approved in a previous year. The form is available online. 

The Homestead Exemption reduces the School District Real Estate bill by the same amount for all residents who have applied. In 2024, the reduction was $367.05. The figure for 2025 is not available yet.

Follow up with the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals. Their phone number is 610-278-3761.

Lower Merion Police Department
71 E Lancaster Ave
Ardmore, PA 19003-2323

Visit the Police Department's website

Yes.  There is a fee of $30 for the first card and $10 for each additional card. Payment is in the form of cash, check or credit ($2.45 service fee for credit).  The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. However, there is no guarantee that an officer will be available to perform the fingerprinting at time you arrive.  You may need to wait or return at another time based on the availability of officers. There is no appointment needed, but it is advisable to call ahead at 610-649-1000 to check on availability.

A copy of your driver’s license, passport or other form of verifiable Government identification is required. If you do not have a fingerprint card(s) supplied to you, the Police Department uses Form FD258 and does have a supply of them.

The department cannot renew either, please contact a tag service, AAA or the PennDOT Website for assistance.

• PennDOT Driver & Vehicle Services
• AAA Automotive Services

A traffic ticket or citation should be paid within 10 days and mailed to the district court listed on the citation. There are three district courts located in the Narberth section of Lower Merion:

The department publishes an annual report that provides a complete breakdown of a wide variety of incidents reported to the police.  These reports are available at all public libraries and at the Public Safety Building, or online at the following link: LMPD Annual Report

Click here for current job opportunities.

• Ardmore Library: 610-642-5187
• Bala Cynwyd Library: 610-664-1196
• Belmont Hills Library: 610-664-8427
• Gladwyne Library: 610-642-3957
• Ludington Library: 610-525-1776
• Penn Wynne Library: 610-642-7844

Visit the Library System web site for library hours, addresses and other information.

Meter casings are color coded: red - 12 hours; dark gray - 2 hours.  ADA Spaces are designated with blue meter heads.  Many Township parking meters have “hour stickers” on the front to advise the maximum time possible.

Yes, municipal lots In Ardmore, Bryn Mawr and Bala. Applications can be made through the Parking Services Department.  Lot Parking Permits are not accepted at parking meters.

Residential Parking Permits may be obtained at the Parking Services Office, located in the lobby of the Public Safety Building. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Please bring the vehicle registration card for each vehicle to be included in the Residential Parking Permit Program, a valid driver's license and proof of residency such as a deed or notarized lease. Up to 2 vehicles may be listed on a permit.  Residential Parking Permits are not accepted at parking meters.

Permits are transferable only between vehicles to which they are registered. They cannot be displayed on any other vehicles.  Guest, visitor, or contractor, vehicles that must park in the street beyond the allowable time zone restriction must contact the Parking Services Department 610-645-6230 to relax the vehicle in our system to avoid being ticketed.  Vehicle make, model, color and license plate must be provided.

A formal complaint takes place after the customer has contacted Comcast or Verizon Fios to seek resolution and the problem has not been resolved.

 To register a formal complaint, either call 610-645-6199 or e-mail ljennings@lowermerion.org, the Township's Public Information Officer.  We will forward the matter to Comcast or Verizon officials and ensure that a satisfactory resolution occurs.

Belmont Hills Fire Company
4 S Washington Ave
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610-664-9185

Bryn Mawr Fire Company
901 Lancaster Ave
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-525-7702

Gladwyne Fire Company
1044 Black Rock Rd
Gladwyne, PA 19035
610-642-9586

Merion Fire Company
35 Greenfield Ave
Ardmore, PA 19003
610-642-9580

Narberth Fire Company
100 Conway Ave
Narberth, PA 19072
610-664-9278

Penn Wynne/Overbrook Hills Fire Company
Rock Glen & Manoa Rds
Wynnewood, PA 19006
610-642-9688

Union Fire Association
149 Montgomery Ave
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610-664-9112

Our Fire Companies are partially funded by Township allocations, but they all depend heavily on the support of the residents. Your local Fire Company will be contacting you through the mail during their next Fund Drive. Our Fire Companies do not solicit by telephone.

You can go to any one of the fire companies web sites to find out more information on how you can help to support your local fire company.  Remember, your local fire fighters need your financial support for the maintenance of their firefighting equipment, fire trucks, rescue gear, maintenance and upkeep of the firehouse as well as training and retention programs for the Volunteer firefighters.

Belmont Hills Fire Company                                Penn Wynne Fire Company

Bryn Mawr Fire Company                                    Narberth Fire Company

Gladwyne Fire Company                                     Union Fire Association

Merion Fire Company of Ardmore

Belmont Hills Fire Company
4 S Washington Ave
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610-664-9185

Narberth Fire Company
100 Conway Ave
Narberth, PA 19072
610-664-9278

Union Fire Association
149 Montgomery Ave
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
610-664-9112

• Drawing water from a fire hydrant for any purpose without permission from Aqua, PA and the Fire Marshal.
  
• Erecting any sign containing the words "Fire Marshal" without the authorization of the Fire Marshal.
  
• Leaving any part of the piping or oil tank or oil fill when removing an oil burner or taking the burner out of service in any structure in Lower Merion Township.

Open Burning in the Township is prohibited due to changes to Chapter 78, the Fire Prevention Code of the Township of Lower Merion in September 2008. Because Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection standards do not allow open burning, the Township’s open burning ordinance was repealed to remain in compliance with state standards. This action was duly advertised and the Board of Commissioners took formal action on September 17, 2008. The Township appreciates citizen compliance with this important safety measure.

You may increase your container selection to a higher level at any time during the year by filling out the Solid Waste Change form located at http://www.lowermerion.org/swchange.  You will receive an interim solid waste bill based upon the change that was selected.

No, effective January 1, 2005 the OPT was replaced by the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax (EMST). However, delinquent OPT is still collected for the years 1973 to 2004.

Any individual (self-employed or employee) who earned $1,000 or more per calendar year is required to pay. A payment of $10 is due in the first quarter in which the individual reached $1,000. It is the responsibility of the employer to deduct and remit this tax.

Occupational Privilege Tax is due on or before the last day of April, July, October and January for the four quarters ending the last day of March, June, September and December.

To receive an application or assistance about a fictitious (business) name, call the Fictitious Name Department in Harrisburg at 717-787-1057.You can also visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website.

To receive a federal tax ID number, please call the Philadelphia IRS Service Center Tele-TIN unit at 866-816-2065. You can also visit the Internal Revenue Service website.

The Business Privilege/Mercantile Tax return is due April 15th each calendar year.  If April 15th falls on a weekend or holiday then the deadline is extended to the next business day. 

If a business begins after April 15th, the license/estimated tax is due 40 days after the business opens.

The new Business Privilege/Mercantile tax forms are available for download:

• Application for License - New account (PDF)
• Business Privilege/Mercantile Combined Tax Return form (PDF)
• More forms

The Department offers digital scans and copies of available house plans from our archive. Digital scans are free, and printed copies (at full scale) are available at $5 per page. Plans that are damaged or too delicate for scanning can be photographed digitally. Original plans cannot be taken from the Township Building.

It takes thirty to sixty days for a property owner to receive a certificate verifying that sidewalks and curbs are in good condition, house numbers are displayed visible from the street and smoke detectors are installed. The fee is $80.00 if application is received 20 or more days prior to settlement. The fee is $145.00 if application is received 20 or fewer days prior to settlement. Property owners must complete a Property Resale Certification Application that can be obtained from the Building Department or may be downloaded here.

Property Resale Certification Application (PDF)

Code Standard as of February 14, 2022

Building and Fire Code Standards - PDF

The Township is currently accepting Business Privilege/Mercantile tax returns and payments online through the PA LITE portal.  You can request an online account by emailing businesstax@lowermerion.org with your Township tax account number.  Business license/registration fees and Local Services Tax returns must be completed, signed and mailed to the Township building with a check, if applicable. 

Business Privilege/Mercantile Tax Returns should be mailed to: 

Township of Lower Merion
MBP Tax Collector
75 E Lancaster Ave
Ardmore, PA  19003

Local Service Tax returns should be mailed to: 

Township of Lower Merion
LST Tax Collector
75 E Lancaster Ave
Ardmore, PA  19003 

All returns must be postmarked by the due date or you will be charged penalty and interest.

Yes, you need to obtain a Highway Permit for both replacing an existing sidewalk and installing a new one. Highway Permit Application

Yes – Rental properties are required to maintain a Business License and all rental receipts including applicable capital gains must be reported to the Township on a Business Privilege Tax Return.  In addition, all residential rental properties must also maintain a Rental License issued by the Building & Planning Department.

The parking time zone signs show the number of hours a vehicle may be parked on the street, for the entire day.  In a 2 Hour Parking area a car may only park in the zone for 2 hours and then the car must moved off the street for the rest of the day.  Leaving and returning does not reset the time.

To obtain a Highway Permit, submit your permit application and any necessary plans in person at the Public Works Counter, located at 75 E. Lancaster Ave, in Ardmore. You will also need to pay the required fees.

On our website, you must complete a Business License Application for Rental Property.  Most residential rental properties will also require you to register for a Rental License with the Building & Planning Department.  The link to the Business License Application is:  https://www.lowermerion.org/home/showdocument?id=21648

Once the form is completed it could be emailed to BusinessLicense@LowerMerion.org or mailed in to:

Township of Lower Merion
Finance Department
75 E Lancaster Ave
Ardmore, PA  19003

Yes – Under the Township code the renting of property to another is a business activity subject to Township business tax requirements.   Local Business Tax is not governed by the Federal Tax Code.