Q: What are the City Building's hours?

A: The 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. work schedule begins on May 1st and ends through Labor Day holiday. The Tuesday following Labor Day, times of operation return to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Q: Is the City Building open on... ?

A: Download the City Building's holiday schedule for a list of days when the City Building will be closed.

Q: Where can I find a map of the City?

A: Click here for a variety of maps of the City and the surrounding area.

Q: When are the bulk trash collections days scheduled in the City?

Q: When are tire and household appliance recycling taking place?

Q: When are the leaf collections days scheduled in the City?

Q: What is the population of the City of Hermitage? Where can I find other statistics about the City?

A: The City of Hermitage's population is 16,157 according to the 2000 Census. You can find additional demographics here.

Q: Who do I talk to about...?

A: Click here for a City staff directory listing departments and their functions.

Q: What are the sirens for on the 1st Thursday of each month?

A: The Fire Department does monthly testing of its emergency sirens on the 1st Thursday of each month at 10AM.  These sirens are a city wide outdoor citizen / emergency alerting system tested on the first Thursday of every month between 10:00 & 11:00 AM. When sirens are activated at any other time, citizens should tune to their local media stations for further emergency information and prepare to take protective action.

Q: How do I get a new recycling bin?

A: Call the Street Department at 724-342-0210.

Q: How do I find out the zoning of my property?

See the Zoning Ordinance page.

Q: Where can I call for information about local utilities?

A:
Penn Power: 800-720-3600
National Fuel: 800-365-3234
Aqua PA: 724-981-1200
Tri-County Industries: 724-662-2510
Time Warner Cable: 330-633-9203 or 888-683-1000
Verizon: 800-660-2215

Q: My mailbox got knocked over by a plow, who do I call?

A: Call the Street Department at 724-342-0210.

Q: Who do I contact if I have a stormwater problem?

A: Call the Street Department at 724-342-0210.

Q: Who do I contact if I have a sewage backup?

A: Call the Water Pollution Control Department 724-347-4941.

Q: A street light is out, who do I contact?

A: Call the police department at 724-983-6780, and it will be easier for them to assist you can give them the pole number.

Q: Who is the City’s Health Officer?

A: Russell Penn, who you can e-mail at rpenn@hermitage.net, or call at 724-981-0800.

Q: When/What am I permitted to burn?

A: See the Fire Department page for details.

Q: Is there a certain way I should display my street address on my home/mailbox?

A: See the street addressing page for details.

Q: Where can I find information about paying taxes?

A: See the Wage Tax Office page and the Treasurer's Office page for details.

Q: How can I have storm sewerage pipe installing in front of my property?

A: If you are interested in frontage storm sewer piping on your property, please review the following information and contact the Street Department at (724) 342-0210 for more information.

Frontage Storm Sewerage Piping Policy & Standard Operating Procedure

Q: Where can I find information about recreation programs in the City?

A: The City's Parks & Recreation Department provides a wide variety of recreational programs, including the summer recreation program, for Hermitage residents and others, of all ages, some free of charge and some with a small registration fee.  Visit the Department's web page, or contact 724-981-0800 or the Parks & Recreation Info Line at 724-347-7600.
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED BUILDING / PERMITTING QUESTIONS

Q: I am building an addition to my home, adding a deck, or putting in a swimming pool, who do I call?

A: See the Forms page for details about all of the City's Construction & Building Permits.
You may also contact Scott Smith, Building & Zoning Supervisor or Russell Penn, Building & Code Inspector at (724) 981-0800.

Q: Do I need a permit for changing windows, doors, or installing vinyl siding?

A: NO – a permit is not required for these projects

Q: Do I need a permit to re-shingle my house?

A: If simply replacing the shingles, then no. If you must replace any sheathing underneath the shingles, you will need a permit for that work.

Q: My proposed addition is too close to the property line – is it OK to build with my neighbors permission?

A: NO - All requests for such proposed structures must be approved by the Hermitage Zoning Hearing Board

Q: Will the City locate where my property pins are located?

A: No – please contact a local surveying or engineering firm from the local phone directory.

Q: How far can a fence be from the side or rear property line? Is a permit required?

A: A fence may be located at the property line, however the City recommends keeping the fence at least three feet off the property line to allow for maintenance of both sides of the fence. Fences in the front yard do have setback requirements – please contact the City for the setback on your particular street. A permit is not required for a fence, however it is the responsibility of the homeowner to know where the property in line is and where any utility easements may be located.

Q: How high can my fence be?

A: 6’ is the maximum height permitted for privacy fences.

There are additional height requirements for fences in the front yard – As per the Hermitage Zoning Ordinance, Section 403.2... "No fence shall be permitted which obstructs a sight triangle measured 30 feet along the edge of any roadway and 30 feet along the edge of any intersecting roadway and/or driveway. The sight triangle must be free of obstruction by any fence higher than 3 feet. No fence shall be constructed within the legal right-of-way of any public street."

Q: My neighbor’s tree/shrubbery is encroaching on my property – what can the City do?

A: This is a private property civil matter between the property owners. If it cannot be settled cooperatively, then the aggrieved person must file their complaint through the District Justice.

Q: Do you have drawings of my property at the City Building?

A: Give us a call and we’ll see what we have! We have more information on some properties than on others – it depends on the history of the property.

Q: Do you have copies of my deed available?

A: In general, we have deeds is our records dating from around 1960. Anything deeds older that that would need to be retrieved at the Mercer County Courthouse Recorder's Office.

Other general information and contacts:

ID/Driver’s License Information – Mercer: 724-662-3691, New Castle: 724-654-8718
Shenango Valley Animal Shelter – 724-981-5445
Hermitage Historical Society – 724-346-0419
PA Welfare Office – 724-983-5000
Social Security Office – 724-346-5901
PA One Call – 800-242-1776
Mercer County Community Transit – 724-981-6222
Shenango Valley Shuttle Service - 724-981-1561
PA Department of Health, Mercer – 724-662-6068
PA Game Commission - 814-432-3187
Hermitage Voting District Map