Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Do I Need A Building Permit?
A:  If your project is in the City of Franklin you will need a permit to locate, erect, demolish, construct, move, alter externally, convert or enlarge any structure or land.  All construction must meet the current codes established by the City of Franklin and will be inspected for compliance.  In addition to municipal inspection you may also be required to have an inspection done by a Uniform Construction Code Certified Inspector.  See below for more information on this.  It is always best to check with code enforcement before you start any project. Code enforcement office is open M-F 8:00 am-4:30 pm except legal holidays at 814-437-1922 x 1128

 

Q:  What residential projects require an inspection by a UCC certified inspector and what projects are exempt?
A:  A certified Uniform Construction Code Inspector must inspect a residential project when your project is to:

• Construct, enlarge. alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of any residential building
• Erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system

If an emergency repair or replacement is needed you may make the repairs and/or replacement after which you must apply for a permit within three (3) days and have any required inspections completed.  

These regulations are mandated by the Uniform Construction Code adopted by the City of Franklin on May 3rd, 2004 Ordinance 3 of 2004.
Residential projects that DO NOT require UCC Certified Inspection:

• Repair or replacement of doors and windows that are NOT larger than the original
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than twenty-four (24) inches deep
• Fences less than six (6) feet high
• Retaining walls less than four (4) feet high
• Accessory structures (garage, shed etc...) for a single-family dwelling under 1000 square feet in dimension
• Sidewalks, driveways, decks, porches, stoops that are thirty (30) inches or less above grade and do not structurally support a roof
• Exterior or interior painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, flooring ,cabinets, countertops and similar work
• Rainwater gutters and leaders

 

Q:  What commercial projects require an inspection by a UCC certified inspector and what projects are exempt?
A:  A certified Uniform Construction Code Inspector must inspect a commercial project when your project is to:

• Construct, enlarge. alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of any commercial building
• Erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system

If an emergency repair or replacement is needed you may make the repairs and/or replacement after which you must apply for a permit within three (3) days and have any required inspections completed.

These regulations are mandated by the Uniform Construction Code adopted by the City of Franklin on May 3rd, 2004 Ordinance 3 of 2004.
Commercial projects that DO NOT require a UCC certified inspection:

• Repair or replacement of doors and windows that are NOT larger than the original
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than twenty-four (24) inches deep
• Fences less than six (6) feet high
• Retaining walls less than four (4) feet high
• Accessory structures (garage, shed etc...) for a single-family dwelling under 1000 square feet in dimension
• Sidewalks, driveways, decks, porches, stoops that are thirty (30) inches or less above grade and do not structurally support a roof
• Exterior or interior painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, flooring ,cabinets, countertops and similar work
• Rainwater gutters and leaders

 

Q:  What zone do I live in?
A:  There are several zoning districts within the City of Franklin. Select Zoning on our City of Franklin Map or call the Code Enforcement Office at 814-437-1922 x 1128  M-F 8 AM-4:30PM, except legal holidays, to find out what district you live or own property in.

 

Q:  Is my house or property in the Historic District?
A:  Historical District Map

     List by address of properties in the Historic District

 

Q:  How do I file a code complaint?
A:  To electronically file a complaint that will automatically be filed with the Code Enforcement Office, file a Code Complaint.

Q:  How do I pay my water/sewer/garbage bill?

A:  https://franklinpa.govoffice3.com/index.asp?SEC=781B4330-D4DD-42FF-961E-788FE962FFA9&DE=3BAB4C12-F33F-4B6D-BF7B-80C80E92CF09

 

Q:  What are the current water/sewer/garbage rates?

A:  https://franklinpa.govoffice3.com/financepaymybillwaterbillutilitiesfrank

 

Q:  Who do I call to have my water turned off and what is the fee?

A:  The  property owner must call the Finance Department (814-437-1922) to request to turn water on and off.  If a contractor calls, on behalf of the property owner, the City will ask to speak with the owner.  The turn on and off fee is $20 for each single trip.

 

Q:  Who do I call if I have a problem with my garbage service?

A:  You can report garbage service problems to the Finance Department and they will relay the message to the garbage company.  If the problem persists or if the problem is other than pick-up service, you are encouraged to directly call our garbage service provider, Tri-County Industries, at 1-800-457-8202.

 

Q:  Do I have to pay for a recycling bin?

A:  One recycling bin has been provided for each property at no cost.  If you want to switch out for a bigger/smaller bin (at a cost of $25 charged by the garbage service provider) or if you have an issue with your recycling bin, please call the garbage service provider, Tri-County Industries, at 1-800-457-8202.

 

Q:  Can I get a garbage bin?

A:  Yes. Please call our garbage service provider, Tri-County Industries, at 1-800-457-8202. They provide the garbage bin at a rental charge of $2/month.

 

Q:  Where do I send my Real Estate Tax payments?

A:  No payments are accepted at City Hall.  All City real estate tax payments must be sent to the City’s lock box at:

City of Franklin
c/o PO Box 1348
Hermitage, PA  16148

If you have questions concerning your tax bill, you may call the Finance Department at 814-437-1922.

 

Q:  What is the real estate millage for the City of Franklin?

A:  The current millage rate for the City of Franklin is 11.3 mills.

 

Q:  Does the City of Franklin collect local Earned Income Tax?

A:  No. Local Earned Income Tax is collected by Berkheimer Associates. https://www.hab-inc.com/

Q: How should I contact the Fire Department to arrange a non-emergency service, such as a fire prevention class, station tour, or to ask a question? 

A: If you need to contact the fire department and do not need emergency assistance, call 814-432-3780. Always, in case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Q: I have a fire extinguisher that may need to be filled or serviced. What should I do? 

A: The fire department does not test or fill fire extinguishers.  There are vendors who do.  Atkinson Fire Safety, Inc. can be contacted at 814-676-0711 or Cintas Fire Protection can be contacted at 844-461-9613.

Q: My smoke alarm periodically “chirps.” I don’t smell smoke or see any fire.  What should I do?

A: Normally, when a smoke alarm sounds a periodic “chirp”, it is an indication that you should change the battery. However, if you are uncertain or need assistance, you may contact the fire department at 432-3780.

Q: How often should I change the batteries in my smoke detectors?

A: You should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations, but a common rule of thumb is to change your smoke detector batteries every time you change your clocks.

Q: I would like to become a City of Franklin Firefighter.  What should I do?

A: The City of Franklin Fire Department accepts applications on an on-going basis. The applications can be dropped off to the Fire Chief or the City Manager’s office.

Q: Why does a fire engine come when I requested an ambulance?

A: The City of Franklin Fire Department is a licensed BLS (Basic Life Support) Squad through the PA Department of Health and we are committed to ensure you get the most efficient, effective and appropriate response to your emergency. The fire department responds with Community Ambulance Service for a variety of medical emergencies, as our firefighters are medically trained.

Q: What is a KnoxBox?

A: Fire departments across the country use the Knox System to prevent costly forced entry damage while protecting lives and property.  Firefighters use a unique high security Knox Master Key to open the KnoxBox device in their jurisdiction. With one Knox Master Key, buildings are immediately accessible. KnoxBox eliminates the need for fire apparatus to carry keys for individual buildings.

City of Franklin Fire Department is registered with KnoxBox and utilizes their emergency access systems. Order on-line at www.knoxbox.com

Q: What is the ISO Rating or Public Protection Classification (PPC) for the City of Franklin? 

A: In 2017, the City of Franklin Fire Department was rated by the ISO (Insurance Services Organization) as a “3”/”3X” split rating. The “3” rating applies to those structures that are within 5 road miles of the fire station and are within 1000 feet of a fire hydrant.  The “3X” rating applies to those structures within 5 road miles of the fire station, but are over 1000 feet from a fire hydrant.  ISO evaluates the fire department, water system and emergency communications system and then assigns a grade between 1 and 10. Class 1 represents an exemplary fire suppression program and a Class 10 does not meet the minimum criteria.

Q: What is ISO?

A: ISO is a leading source of information about property/casualty insurance risk. ISO is an advisory organization, and  insurers may use our information, modify it, or not use it, as they see fit.  ISO collects information useful in many aspects of insurance underwriting, including evaluations of public fire protection. Through the Public Protection Classification (PPC) program, ISO evaluates municipal fire-protection efforts in communities throughout the United States.  A community's investment in fire mitigation is a proven and reliable predictor of future fire losses. Insurance companies use PPC information to help establish fair premiums for fire insurance, generally offering lower premiums in communities with better protection.  More information can be found at http://www.isomitigation.com

Q:  When is bag leaf pick-up?
A:  Bag leaf pick up starts in early October. We pick up every Monday and Friday. If you have bagged leaves that need picked up or were missed, please call the Street Department at 814-437-1600.

               

Q:  What is the schedule for vacuum leaf pick up?
A:  Vacuum leaf pick-up starts in late October. The schedule will be posted every Saturday in the News Herald and also on the City's website.

 

Q:  When does street sweeping begin?
A:  Street sweeping normally begins the first week of April, weather permitting, and the schedule will be posted every Saturday in the News Herald and also on the City's website.  

 

Q:  What should I do in an emergency after Street Department hours?
A:  In case of an emergency, please call the Franklin Police Department at 814-437-1644

Q:  How many gallons of water comes into the plant?
A:  This depends mostly on the weather and can range anywhere between 1.5 to 6.0 million per day.                                                                   

Q:  How many gallons of water does a person use per day?
A:  It is estimated at 80-100 gallons per day. 

Q:  Do you have to be a certified to operate the Franklin Waste Water Treatment Plant?

A:  Yes.