Municipal Information

Delaware County - Darby Township

General Information

Type of Government
1st Class Township

Home Rule:
No

Hours of Operation:
8 AM - 5 PM, M-F

Address:
21 Bartram Avenue
Glenolden, PA 19063

Contact Information

Website http://www.darbytwp.org/
Phone (610) 586-1514
Fax (610) 586-0779
Email nicole.whitaker@darbytwp.org

Residential Resale Inspection Information

Point of Sale Inspection Required: Yes
Inspection Fee: $125
Reinspection Fee: $75 (no show fee of $100)

Exterior

Sidewalks and curbs  
Handrails  
Foundation - dry basement
Rubbish  
Broken windows  
House numbers  - Address number on all buildings. Row homes 3" address number located in rear.
Roof  
High grass and weeds  
Exterior stairs  
Driveways  
Other
  • Two recycling containers per property
  • Downspouts

Interior

Smoke alarm  
Handrails  
Sump pump  
Carbon monoxide detectors  
Heating systems  
Water supply - All plumbing must be functional and leak free
Safe stairs  
GFCIs  - near water
Exit Doors - Locks easily
Sewer - Sewer lateral inspection required as condition of Use & Occupancy permit. Township requires notification of test date so township representative may witness the test. Ordinance #691 effective date 1/1/2011.
Other  
Other Basement must be dry
Other Hotwater tanks - extension pipe 6" from floor

Other:

  • PLEASE NOTE - Darby Township now requires a sewer lateral inspection as a condition of use & occupancy. Inspection must be completed by a licensed plumber. Per Ordinance #691 effective 1/1/2011.
  • Tax Certification for 511 Taxes are required.
  • Inspection requests must be submitted 7 to 10 days before settlement.
  • Deed registration required. Contact township.

Certificates Required:

n/a

Additional Information:

Residential Resale Form:

Residential Resale Comments:

Checklist included in U&O application link.

NOTE: May 2023
Darby Township requiring escrow for sewer lateral repairs, despite PA law

The Suburban Realtors Alliance recently confirmed that Darby Township has been requiring that money be escrowed for any outstanding sewer lateral repairs that arise following a point of sale inspection. The Alliance has communicated with township staff to make them aware of the provision within the Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act (Act 133) that forbids a municipality from requiring escrow funds, bonds or other sorts of financial arrangements as a condition of issuing a resale certificate. Any Realtors or their clients who are being required to place money in escrow by Darby Township can contact the Alliance at sra@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com. Learn more about the Municipal Code and Ordinance Compliance Act here.

Rental Property Inspection Information

Fees & License Information

Inspection Fee: $150 per unit
Reinspection Fee: $75
Rental Property Registration/License Required: Yes
Cost of Registration/Licensure: $150
Registration Valid For: One year
Other Rental Property Inspection Required: Yes

Exterior:

Sidewalks and curbs -Sidewalks and curbs must be in good repair.
Handrails - On all new work handrails must be installed on any stairs more than three steps at the exterior.
Broken windows  
House numbers - Numbers must be on all buildings. In the case of row homes, they must also be on the rear. (At least 3").
Roof  
High grass and weeds - Grass should not be more than six (6) inches high.
Driveways - Rear driveways must be in good repair
Other Two (2) recycling containers required.

Interior:

Handrails  
Sump pump - No sump pumps may be connected to sanitary sewers.
Carbon monoxide detectors  
Heating systems -- Heater must be in good working order.
Sewer - Sewer PLEASE NOTE - Darby Township now requires a sewer lateral inspection as a condition of use & occupancy. Inspection must be completed by a licensed plumber. Per Ordinance #691 effective 1/1/2011.

Other:

  • Residential rental property inspection required at change of tenant and/or resale of property.
  • PLEASE NOTE - Darby Township now requires a sewer lateral inspection as a condition of use & occupancy. Inspection must be completed by a licensed plumber. Per Ordinance #691 effective 1/1/2011.
  • Registration/license required for rental properties. $150 fee - Annual renewal. Letters will be sent.

Certificates Required:

n/a

Additional Information

Comments:

Sign Ordinances and Solicitation Rules

Rules

Open House Directional Signs:
  • Signs must be no larger than 20 sq. ft. in area and 6 ft. in length. No more than one sign per 500 ft. of street frontage. Signs may have arrows on them but may not be cut in the shape of an arrow. (Per ordinance)
For Sale/Sold Signs:
  • Signs are permitted on lot for sale and may be a maximum of 6 sq. ft., one sign per street frontage (Per ordinance)
Solicitation Rules:
  • Transient retail license required
Permit Requirements/Fee:

Business Privilege License

Every business operating in any manner within the Township of Darby is required to obtain a Business Privilege License each and every year and to post that license in a visible location within your establishment.
 
 

School District

Name: Southeast Delco

Tax Information

Millage Rate

Tax Applicable For Year

Millage Rate (County):
Real Estate Mills Municipal:
10.3961
2026
Real Estate Mills School District:
Total Millage Rate:
   

Tax Collector - Barry Merlino (610) 538-1785

Realty Transfer Percent

PA State Transfer Percent:
Realty Transfer Percent Municipal: 0.5
Realty Transfer Percent School District:
Total Realty Transfer Percent:

Other Tax Information

Per Capita Tax:
Earned Income Municipal (%): --
Earned Income School District (%):
Local Services Tax: $52

Homestead Exclusions

County:
School District:
Municipal: --

Building Codes and Zoning

Building Code Requirements:

  • PA UCC
  • IRC

Property Maintenance Requirements:

  • IPMC
  • Ordinance 615

Vacant or Blighted Property Ordinance Requirements:

  • Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization ordinance in effect
  • Vacant property registration ordinance in effect (7/2024) link to form in township online permit application system https://darbytwp.org/get-a-permit 

Vacant or Blighted Property Ordinance Requirements:

  • Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization ordinance in effect
  • Vacant property registration ordinance in effect (7/2024) link to form in township online permit application system https://darbytwp.org/get-a-permit 

Municipal Staff

Administration - https://darbytwp.org/administration-1 

Licenses & Inspections - https://darbytwp.org/license-and-inspections 

Elected Officials

Board of Commissioners - https://darbytwp.org/board-of-commissioners 

 

Miscellaneous

Feedback:

In the news


(Municipal data last updated February 5, 2026)

The information contained in this profile is provided by the Suburban Realtors® Alliance as a general summary of real estate-related laws and regulations in this municipality. It is not intended to take the place of written law, ordinances or regulations that can be obtained directly from the municipality.