[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026[1]]
The purpose of this Part is to establish and enforce regulations ensuring the proper operation and maintenance of the Township's sanitary sewer system. The intent is to eliminate or minimize sewage overflows, stoppages, blockages, and infiltration/inflow (I&I) of stormwater or groundwater into the system, from residential buildings upon resale and existing commercial/non-residential buildings while ensuring compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed Ord. No. 04-2025-674, 4/10/2025.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
For the purposes of this Part, the following definitions apply:
CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
The Township appointed Code Enforcement Officer. This term may also refer to his/her designee.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Any property with an existing or proposed non-residential structure or use, including, but not limited to, apartment buildings, industrial buildings, institutional buildings, nursing homes, places of worship, medical facilities, retail stores, and educational facilities. This term also applies to vacant land within the C1, C2, C3, and I zoning districts, properties with more than one residential dwelling unit, owned as a condominium or co-op, and served by a single sewer lateral, and properties with privately owned sewer mains. If a sewer lateral serves more than three dwelling units, regardless of ownership type, the property shall also be considered a commercial property.
DEFICIENCY
A violation of any adopted Township Code or Standard discovered during a municipal review that does not rise to the level of a substantial violation. May also be referred to as defect, non-compliance, or violation.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
The individual appointed by the Township to oversee Township public works. This term may also refer to his/her designee.
INFILTRATION AND INFLOW (I&I)
The flow or seepage of stormwater or groundwater into the building sewer or sewer lateral.
PROPERTY OWNER
The person or entity listed as the owner of a parcel on the Lehigh County Tax Assessment records, or any homeowners' association, condominium owners' association, or cooperative board when a sewer lateral serves multiple dwelling units or commercial/non-residential units.
PURCHASER
Buyer of real restate to be transferred. May also be referred to as the grantee. Term is to be defined at the time of real estate transfer and may not represent the current property relationship.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
Any property with an existing or proposed residential use, including but not limited to single-family detached dwellings, townhouses, duplexes, triplexes, or mobile homes. This includes vacant land within the CR, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 zoning districts, and properties with up to three dwelling units, owned in fee, and served by a single sewer lateral. A singular property with up to three dwelling units, owned as a condominium or co-op, shall be considered residential provided the units have separate sewer laterals.
SELLER
Owner of real estate to be transferred. May also be referred to as the grantor. Term is to be defined at the time of real estate transfer and may not represent the current property relationship.
SEWER LATERAL
The piping that extends from a structure which connects to the Township sewer system.
SEWER LATERAL TESTING REPORT
A Township document completed by a qualified industry professional that reports the condition of the sewer lateral and shall be submitted to Salisbury Township. The Sewer Lateral Testing Report is attached as Appendix A[1] and may be amended from time to time by Resolution of the Township Board of Commissioners.
SEWER LATERAL TESTING REVIEW
A Township document completed by the Township Director of Public Works stating whether or not the property sewer lateral conforms to Township standards and/or if repairs are required. The Sewer Lateral Testing Report is attached as Appendix B[2] and may be amended from time to time by Resolution of the Township Board of Commissioners.
SEWER MAIN
The system of underground pipelines and manholes, typically located in streets or rights-of-way, which transport sewage from sewer laterals to the wastewater treatment plant. Sewer mains may be owned by the Township or other municipalities, or they may be privately owned.
STRUCTURE
The building on a property, including all plumbing up to the point of connection with the sewer lateral.
SUBJECT PROPERTY
Property for which a Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance has been applied. Property boundaries shall be bound by a singular tax parcel, as determined by the Lehigh County Tax Assessment Office and Lehigh County Geographic Information Systems Office. Inconsistencies concerning property boundaries shall be the responsibility of the property owner to resolve.
SUBSTANTIAL VIOLATION
A deficiency or violation of any adopted Township Code or Standard discovered during a municipal review that makes a building, structure, or any part thereof, unfit for human habitation.
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP
The conveyance of property ownership, in whole or part, from one entity or individual to another.
UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION
A condition which renders a building or structure, or any part thereof, dangerous or injurious to the health, safety or physical welfare of an occupant or the occupants of neighboring dwellings. The condition may include substantial violations of a property that show evidence of: a significant increase to the hazards of fire or accident; inadequate sanitary facilities; vermin infestation; or a condition of disrepair, dilapidation or structural defects such that the cost of rehabilitation and repair would exceed one-half of the agreed-upon purchase price of the property.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix A is available in Township offices.
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendix B is available in Township offices.
2. 
If a word/term defined in this Part conflicts with a word/term defined in another Chapter of the Salisbury Township Code of Ordinances, the definition in this Part shall only apply to this Part and shall not apply to the other Chapter. And in reverse, the other definition within the other Chapter shall not apply to the word/term being used within this Part.
3. 
If a word/term is not defined in this Part but is defined in another Chapter of the Salisbury Township Code of Ordinances, the definition in that Chapter shall apply.
4. 
If a word/term is not defined in this Part nor within another Chapter but is defined in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), or the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (PAUCC), then those definitions shall apply.
5. 
If a word/term is not defined in this Part, within another Chapter, the MPC, or the PAUCC, then it shall be defined by a common English dictionary of standard usage.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
It shall be unlawful for any property owner connected to, or to be connected, to the Township's sanitary sewer system to fail to perform the required testing or to construct, maintain, or operate a building sewer or sewer lateral in a defective condition.
2. 
As used in this Part, "defective condition" includes, but is not limited to:
A. 
Any condition allowing infiltration or inflow of extraneous water, or exfiltration of sewage.
B. 
Obstructions (e.g., roots, grease, etc.).
C. 
Illicit connections (e.g., sump pumps, roof drains, etc.).
D. 
Substantial deterioration with cracks and/or breaks.
E. 
Misaligned or failed joints.
F. 
Damaged, improperly located, or missing cleanout.
G. 
Misaligned or failed joints.
H. 
Conditions that may increase the risk of blockage or overflow.
I. 
Construction without proper permits.
J. 
Use of unapproved materials.
K. 
Lack of a proper connection to the Township sewer system.
L. 
Any violation of Township requirements or such a condition that the tests required by this section cannot be accomplished to the satisfaction of the Township.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
The following transactions are exempt from the requirement of sewer lateral testing:
A. 
Transfer of unimproved land only, provided no structure has been in place on the property within the last 365 days; or
B. 
Transfer of a residential property in which a Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance was issued within the last 365 days; or
C. 
Transfer of a residential property in which an approved on-site septic system exists, and the property does not connect to the public sewer system; or
D. 
Transfer to bank or other financial institution due to foreclosure; or
E. 
Transfer to a government authority or utility company due to eminent domain, or in lieu thereof; or
F. 
Transfer between spouses; or
G. 
Transfer between parent and child; or
H. 
When filing a deed of correction; or
I. 
Any tax-exempt transaction for which the Pennsylvania REV-183 "Realty Transfer Tax Statement of Value" form (or its equivalent as updated by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue) has been completed and recorded with the deed of transfer.
2. 
The availability of an exemption of testing requirements shall not relieve the property owner from compliance with all remaining requirements of this Part.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
Professional Testing. All required testing shall be conducted at the property owner's expense by an industry professional.
2. 
Sewer Lateral Testing Report. A Sewer Lateral Testing Report must be submitted to the Township at the conclusion of all testing along with the required fee and supporting documents as stated within the Sewer Lateral Testing Report. This report shall be reviewed by the Director of Public Works utilizing the Sewer Lateral Testing Review.
3. 
Timing. The Sewer Lateral Testing Report shall be submitted within 30 days of testing date.
4. 
Testing of New Building Sewer or Sewer Laterals. All new building sewers and sewer laterals shall undergo air, water, or video testing. The testing method shall be determined by the Director of Public Works, shall cover the full length of the lateral, and shall conform to all testing requirements established or utilized by the Township in its discretion.
5. 
Testing of Existing Building Sewers and Sewer Laterals. Existing sewers and sewer laterals must be cleaned and video tested under the following circumstances:
A. 
When additional plumbing facilities are installed; or
B. 
When property use changes and an increase of sewage flow is expected; or
C. 
When the building sewer and/or sewer lateral is repaired or replaced; or
D. 
Upon a determination that the cleaning, testing, repair and/or replacement is required for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare; or
E. 
Every 10 years for commercial/non-residential buildings, unless required sooner due reasons stated above; or
F. 
Prior to the transfer of ownership for residential buildings.
6. 
Retesting. The Township may require retesting, at the property owner's expense, to verify the completion of necessary repairs.
7. 
Responsibility. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to complete all required testing and repairs.
A. 
The responsibility for testing and repairs shall be on the seller unless a Conditional Certificate of Sewer Compliance is issued and the responsibility is transferred to the purchaser.
B. 
If a homeowner's association, or similar, exists, it shall be responsible for compliance under this Part.
C. 
If no association exists, individual property owners are jointly and severally liable for compliance.
8. 
Testing Requirements for Multiple Buildings. For developments with multiple buildings and privately owned sewer laterals, each connection and main must meet cleaning and testing requirements.
9. 
Notice of Testing. Property owners must notify the Director of Public Works at least 72 hours in advance of the testing of new building sewer and sewer laterals to receive guidance as to the required testing method.
10. 
Video Testing. The sewer lateral must be cleaned prior to video testing. The testing must cover the entire length of the lateral, with time-stamped video recordings submitted to the Township. Further requirements are listed within the "Directions" section of the Sewer Lateral Testing Report.
11. 
Failure to follow all testing requirements of § 18-805 shall result in invalidation of the test and require retesting and resubmission of the Sewer Lateral Testing Report at the property owner's expense.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
The Director of Public Works shall complete a Sewer Lateral Testing Review within 15 business days of submission of a completed Sewer Lateral Testing Report. If the Director of Public Works is unable to complete the review due to circumstances beyond his/her control (including, but not limited to, sickness or emergency shut-down of Township office) this deadline shall be extended until no more than three business days after the delaying circumstances have been cleared.
2. 
When the Director of Public Works determines that the property is in compliance with the requirements of this Part, a Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance shall be issued by the Director of Public Works. A copy of the Sewer Lateral Testing Review, indicating that the property meets the requirements of this Part, must be attached to the Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance.
3. 
When the Director of Public Works discovers deficiencies on the Sewer Lateral Testing Review which would prohibit the issuance of the Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance, the property owner will be given the opportunity to correct these and resubmit a Sewer Lateral Testing Report with appropriate fees. The resubmission fee must be paid at the time of the new submission. A new Sewer Lateral Testing Review shall be completed within 10 business days of the resubmission and payment of the resubmission fee. If the Director of Public Works is unable to complete the Review, due to circumstances beyond his/her control (including, but not limited to, sickness or emergency shut-down of Township office) this deadline shall be extended until no more than three business days after the delaying circumstances have been cleared.
4. 
If the seller does not wish to correct any required items of deficiency, a Conditional Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance may be requested by the purchaser and the requirements of § 18-807 shall be followed.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
If deficiencies which would prohibit the issuance of a Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance are reported within the Sewer Lateral Testing Review, and the seller does not wish to correct these items, a Conditional Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance may be requested from the purchaser by completing the Township request form. The Township request form shall be signed and notarized in the spaces provided. Additional purchaser acknowledgement forms are available if needed.
2. 
The Conditional Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance request, along with a signed Sales Agreement, must be submitted to the Township at least five business days prior to the transfer of ownership.
3. 
As part of the request for a Conditional Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance, the purchaser shall agree to complete all required corrections (deficiencies which prohibited the issuance of a Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance) within 365 days of the transfer of ownership. Failure of the purchaser to complete all required corrections within the prescribed time may result in the purchaser being subject to the penalties stated in § 18-811 below as well as other applicable penalties and violations found in other Chapters of the Salisbury Township Code of Ordinances.
4. 
If Township permits are required as part of the correction process, they must be obtained by the purchaser prior to the commencement of work. Failure to obtain required permits shall result in the purchaser being subject to the penalties stated in § 18-811 below as well as other applicable penalties and violations found in other Chapters of the Salisbury Township Code of Ordinances.
5. 
Upon correction of deficiencies, the purchaser shall resubmit a Sewer Lateral Testing Report with appropriate fees. The resubmission fee must be paid at the time of the new submission. A new Sewer Lateral Testing Review shall be completed within 10 business days of the update request and payment of the update fee. If the Director of Public Works is unable to complete the Review, due to circumstances beyond his/her control (including, but not limited to, sickness or emergency shut-down of Township office) this deadline shall be extended until no more than three business days after the delaying circumstances have been cleared.
6. 
Failure of the purchaser to submit a new Sewer Lateral Testing Report with the appropriate fees may result in the purchaser being subject to the penalties stated in § 18-811 below as well as other applicable penalties and violations found in other Chapters of the Salisbury Township Code of Ordinances.
7. 
When the Director of Public Works determines that the property is in compliance with the requirements of this Part, a Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance shall be issued by the Director of Public Works. A copy of the Sewer Lateral Testing Review, indicating that the property meets the requirements of this Part, must be attached to the Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance.
8. 
If correction of deficiencies is not completed within 365 days of the transfer of ownership, the purchaser will be subject to the penalties stated in § 18-811 below as well as other applicable penalties and violations found in other Chapters of the Salisbury Township Code of Ordinances.
9. 
If the sale transaction does not happen, the Conditional Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance shall become null and void and the seller responsibility for all repairs shall revert to the seller. A new request for a Conditional Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance may be submitted buy a new purchaser following all terms and regulations of this Part.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
Repairs. Any deficiencies noted on the Sewer Lateral Testing Review must be completed within 365 days of receiving the Sewer Lateral Testing Report. The property owner shall make all repairs necessary to bring the building sewer or sewer lateral into compliance with this Part, or replace the building sewer or sewer lateral in accordance with all Township requirements. All costs of repair or replacement of the building sewer or sewer lateral shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
2. 
Cleanout Requirements. When there is no existing cleanout, or it is improperly located, installation or relocation must occur if other deficiencies are identified that require an excavation to repair. If no other deficiencies are identified and/or no other work is proposed, installation or relocation of the cleanout is not required but must be completed with future repairs.
3. 
Permits. If Township permits are required as part of the correction process, they must be obtained by the property owner, or designated contractor, prior to the commencement of work. Failure to obtain required permits shall result in the purchaser being subject to the penalties stated in § 18-811 below as well as other applicable penalties and violations found in other Chapters of the Salisbury Township Code of Ordinances.
4. 
Resubmission. After all deficiencies are corrected, the property owner shall submit a revised Sewer Lateral Testing Report with the required fee for a resubmission.
5. 
Extension of Time. A property owner may request an extension of time for the correction of deficiencies that are required as a result of testing. Extension requests shall be in writing and must include the name and contact information of the party responsible for completing the repair or replacement of the building sewer or sewer lateral. The Public Works Director shall review the request and may grant a time extension up to, but no more than, 30 days for each request.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
If substantial violation(s) are noted on the Sewer Lateral Testing Review, no new occupant, who has not previously occupied the subject property, may occupy the subject property until the substantial violation has been corrected.
2. 
Tenants, in the case of a tenant-occupied property, already occupying the property, may remain in the subject property at the discretion of the Township based on human habitability.
3. 
Confirmation that any substantial violation(s) have been corrected and/or removed from the property shall be made by the Director of Public Works after the resubmission of a Sewer Lateral Testing Report and the required fee. This request may be submitted prior to any other deficiencies being corrected so as to remove the substantial violation from the review. In this situation, an additional revised Sewer Lateral Testing Report, along with a new fee, shall be submitted to verify that the remaining deficiencies have been corrected.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
As of the adaptation of this Part, the fees associated with this Part are:
A. 
Sewer Lateral Testing Report Fee = $100.
B. 
Sewer Lateral Testing Report Resubmission = $65.
2. 
All fees stated in § 18-810, Subsection 1 above may be updated by Resolution of the Board of Commissioners and shall be listed in the Township "Schedule of Fees." The most recent "Schedule of Fees" shall apply if different from what is listed within this Part.
3. 
All fees shall be due upon submission.
4. 
No review shall be completed until the required fee has been paid in full to the Township.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
The Director of Public Works and/or Code Enforcement Officer shall be responsible for enforcing this Part.
2. 
Any property owner who fails to obtain the required Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance shall, upon conviction of a summary proceeding brought before a District Justice, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days.
3. 
Any property owner who fails to complete all required remediation in connection with a Conditional Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance within the prescribed time, upon conviction of a summary proceeding brought before a District Justice, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day, or portion thereof, that such violations continue, or are permitted to continue, shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this Part that is violated shall constitute a separate offense.
4. 
If a property owner or seller fails to complete all required remediation noted within the Sewer Lateral Testing Review, the Township may complete all, or some, remediation steps in order to secure the property and ensure its safety. The cost of these repairs shall be reimbursed by the property owner or seller, plus administrative fees and late fees, if applicable, to the Township. If the Township chooses to take these steps, it does not exempt the purchaser from enforcement proceedings stated above.
5. 
If a purchaser fails to complete all required remediation in connection with a Conditional Certificate of Sewer Compliance, the Township may complete all, or some, remediation steps in order to secure the property and ensure its safety. The cost of these repairs shall be reimbursed by the purchaser, plus administrative fees and late fees, if applicable, to the Township. If the Township chooses to take these steps, it does not exempt the purchaser from enforcement proceedings stated above.
6. 
Failure to pay fines, reimbursements, fees, and/or costs of prosecution to the Township may result in the filling of a municipal lien against the subject property and/or other legal remedies.
7. 
A property owner, seller, or purchaser aggrieved by a decision of the Public Works Director shall have the right to appeal to the Salisbury Township Building Code Board of Appeals following all rules and regulations, including required fees.
[Ord. No. 01-2026-681, 1/8/2026]
1. 
All Ordinances and parts of Ordinances inconsistent here within are hereby repealed.
2. 
The provisions of this Part shall be severable and if any provision thereof shall be declared unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of any of the remaining provisions of this Part. It is hereby declared as a legislative intent of the Township that this Part would have been enacted had such unconstitutional, illegal or invalid provision(s) not been included herein.
3. 
This Part shall be effective 30 days after enactment; however, property owners who plan a transfer of ownership in the near future are encouraged to submit a Sewer Lateral Testing Report immediately. Any transfer of a residential property after 30 days of enactment shall be required to obtain a Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance or Conditional Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance prior to the transfer of ownership. A Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance or Conditional Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance may be issued by the Township immediately, prior to the effective date of this Part.
4. 
The Township shall develop a schedule of commercial/non-residential buildings to be tested over the next 10 years and notify the respective property owners no less than 365 days in advance of the first required testing. After the first testing date is complete, the 10-year required inspection cycle shall begin. The 10-year period shall be counted from the issuance of the most recent Certificate of Sewer Lateral Compliance, regardless of any transfers of ownership.
5. 
Any resubmission of a Sewer Lateral Testing Report after the effective date of this Part is subject to the requirements of this Part and not the requirements set forth within any previously adopted Ordinance.
6. 
The Township shall not be held responsible for any delay in the transfer of ownership for residential properties due to the passing of this Ordinance and the requirements set forth. Sellers are encouraged to submit the Sewer Lateral Testing Report early enough in advance to accommodate these requirements and allow for issues to arise.