Regulations
Licensing
- Dogs over three months of age are required to be licensed by January 1 of each year (Pennsylvania Dog Law)
- Applications for a license are available in the Finance Department until October of each year.
- Fees apply:
- License fees are $6.95 for spayed or neutered dogs and $8.95 for all other dogs.
- Senior citizens are charged $4.95 for spayed or neutered dogs and $6.95 for all other dogs.
- Lifetime licenses are available from the Centre County Treasurer's office in Bellefonte. If you have any questions about the license application, please call 814-355-6810.
Rabies
- All dogs are required to have current rabies vaccinations.
- In the instance of a biting incident, proof of these vaccinations may be required by an Ordinance Enforcement Officer.
Ordinances
- Dogs that bark continuously are considered to be a nuisance and may be reported to Ordinance Enforcement at 814-234-7191. To be a nuisance, the dog must bark continuously for at least 10 minutes in an hour.
- All dogs are required to be on a leash when off the owner's or keeper's property.
- Dogs off the owner's/keeper's property and not on a leash are considered to be at large and the owner/keeper is subject to a fine as provided by law.
- Dog owners/keepers are required to clean up after their dog and any accumulation of excrement is considered a public health hazard and must be removed and properly disposed of.
Additional Services
If your dog gets loose or is lost in the Borough of State College or in College or Harris Township, you may ask the Ordinance Enforcement Officer to watch for and return it. Contact an officer at 814-234-7191 or, after hours, call the Police at 814-234-7150. To report a found dog, use these same telephone numbers.
Requirements
The State College Borough Code of Ordinances, Chapter IX, Part C, requires grass and/or weeds (noxious vegetation) to be controlled so as not to exceed a height of 6 inches, conceal any solid waste, or produce excessive pollen during the growing season: April 1 to October 31. The following requirements must be met to be in compliance with the Grass and Weed Ordinance:
- Both the property owner and the occupant are responsible for compliance
- Cultivated flowers and vegetables are exempt from the 6-inch height restriction
- Grass and/or weeds are to be kept at 6 inches in height or less
Fines
Failure to keep the grass/weeds cut may result in a fine. The Borough may cut the grass and charge the property owner for services rendered.
Questions
If you have questions regarding the ordinance or if you wish to report a violation, please email the Division of Neighborhood and Community Services (healthdept@statecollegepa.us) or call 814-234-7191 between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Recycling is Required
All residents and businesses are required to recycle glass, metal cans, newspaper, and other materials. Information on what to recycle and the proper procedures can be obtained by calling the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority.
Visit the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority (CCRRA) website or call 814-238-7005.
Refuse Collection
Refuse is collected by the Borough Public Works Department. All refuse is to be properly stored in containers prior to collection. Additionally, all refuse and recycling containers should be removed from the curb after collection on the same day as collection.
Accumulation of Refuse / Littering
Persons failing to properly store refuse or who permit the accumulation of litter/refuse are subject to a fine. If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Neighborhood and Community Services between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm at 814-234-7191.
Bulk Items & Brush
The Borough makes it easy to remove unwanted bulk items and brush from your property. Brush and bulk items (appliances, furniture, etc.) are collected each Monday, except on weeks when there is a holiday. Please call 814-234-7135 or submit the online form to schedule brush and bulk collection.
CLICK HERE TO submit a service request online
Volunteer Clean-up Days
If you or your organization would like to assist with cleaning up Borough neighbors or parks, please contact the Community Engagement office at 814-234-7100.
Regulations on Snow & Ice Removal
Sidewalks must be cleared of all snow and ice within 24 hours after a snowfall has ceased.
Keeping the sidewalks clear is critical for both public safety and accessibility. It is especially important to clear ramps at corners so that full access is maintained. Snow and ice must be removed from the entire surface of the sidewalk over its entire length and width. Use anti-skid materials such as rock salt, calcium chloride, crushed charcoal or kitty litter to create traction as necessary. In extremely cold weather, sidewalks may re-freeze causing a cleared sidewalk to become extremely hazardous.
Violations
Failure to clear sidewalks will result in violations and costs to the property owner when the Borough has to contract for the sidewalks to be cleared. (Please remember that residents are required to make arrangements for keeping their sidewalks clear when they are out of town). The full ordinance can be found online by going to the Borough's Codification of Ordinances and then selecting Chapter XVI, Part G.
Contact Information
Questions may be directed to the State College Division of Neighborhood and Community Services at 814-234-7191. You may also view Chapter 16-Streets and Sidewalks of Borough Codes.