Birdsboro Borough

Birdsboro Borough is the municipal government for the Borough of Birdsboro, a community of roughly 1.4 square miles in southern Berks County, Pennsylvania, situated along the Schuylkill River where Hay Creek flows into it. The borough recorded a population of 5,124 in the 2020 Census. Administrative offices are located at Borough Hall, 202 E. Main Street, and the main telephone number for general inquiries is 610-582-6030.

The borough's roots reach back to about 1740, when William Bird established an iron forge on Hay Creek. The settlement that grew around that early industry eventually took his name, and Birdsboro was formally incorporated as a borough in 1872. Iron and steel production shaped the town for generations, and the surrounding landscape of forge sites, creek valleys and state forest land remains part of the area's identity today.

Form of Government

Birdsboro operates under a Mayor and Council structure, with a seven-member Borough Council serving as the legislative body. Council meets in person on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Borough Hall, where residents can observe proceedings and address local matters. The Planning Commission, a five-member body currently comprising Joseph Peterson, Kenneth Templin, Jeffrey Kauffman, Matthew Winger and Seth Winger, meets at Borough Hall on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. as needed to review land development and subdivision matters.

Borough staff handle financial management, property transfer certifications, permit issuance, zoning and code enforcement coordination, rental property registration, complaint intake, volunteer applications for boards and commissions, and general information requests from residents and businesses.

Permits, Zoning and Code Enforcement

Building, zoning and fence permit applications are issued through Borough Hall. Zoning officer and code official duties are performed under contract by Systems Design Engineering, Inc., which can be reached at 610-916-8500 for technical questions about applications, inspections and code interpretation.

Two commonly asked questions are worth noting. Roof replacements that involve shingles only do not require a permit, but any project involving structural wood repair does. Fences taller than 6 feet require both a zoning permit and a building permit. Residents planning improvements are encouraged to confirm requirements with Borough Hall before beginning work.

Rental Property Registration

Under Ordinance No. 416, adopted September 14, 2009, all owners of residential rental property within the borough are required to register their units. The program collects occupant information and establishes minimum safety and sanitary standards for rental housing. Registration can be completed through an online form or by downloading and submitting a PDF application to Borough Hall.

Recycling and Yard Waste

Curbside recycling is mandatory in Birdsboro under Ordinance No. 374. Collection is contracted to Hollenbaugh and takes place weekly on Wednesdays. Residents can reach the hauler at 814-643-6950 or 610-562-7986.

• Accepted materials include plastics numbered 1 through 7, glass, metal and aluminum cans, paper and clean cardboard.
• Free recycling stickers are available at Borough Hall for residents using their own containers.

A yard waste drop-off site is maintained at 300A Armorcast Rd and operates year round, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., plus the first Saturday of each month. Branches brought to the site must be under 6 inches in diameter and no longer than 4 feet. Stumps, dirt, rocks and firewood are not accepted.

Public Safety

The borough operates its own municipal police department. Emergencies should always be reported by calling 911; the non-emergency police line is 610-582-6037.

Since February 15, 2023, emergency ambulance service for the borough has been provided through an agreement with Tower Health Services. Requests for non-emergency medical transport are handled at 484-628-5200.

Birdsboro participates in the OnSolve CodeRED mass notification system, which is free to the community. Residents who register through the Birdsboro CodeRED portal receive severe weather warnings and emergency alerts by phone, text or email.

Parks and Recreation

The borough maintains public park space for residents, including the Rustic Picnic area, where pavilions are available for reservation. Availability and pricing can be confirmed by calling Borough Hall at 610-582-6030, and the full set of park rules and fee details is posted under the Parks and Recreation section of the borough website.

Public Parking

Birdsboro owns a public parking lot located between 109 and 115 North Furnace, with access from Plum Street. The lot is open to registered and inspected passenger cars and to non-commercial vans and pick-up trucks. Vehicles outside those categories are subject to ticketing and towing at the owner's expense.

Taxes and Public Records

Property tax collection is handled by Tax Collector Gary Buck, P.O. Box 296, Birdsboro, PA 19508. The tax collector can be reached at 484-645-3482 or by email at taxcollector19508@gmail.com. Borough property tax rates consist of a 5.86 general rate and a 1.0 fire tax.

Right-to-Know requests for public records are submitted through an online form. Anonymous requests are not accepted, so requesters must provide identifying contact information.

Complaints and Property Maintenance

Residents who wish to file a formal complaint must complete a citizen complaint form, available at Borough Hall, and include their name, address and contact information. Complaints submitted without that information are considered incomplete and cannot be acted upon. A separate property maintenance complaint form is available online for issues involving the condition of structures and lots.

Related Services in the Community

• Water and sewer service is provided by the Birdsboro Municipal Authority, a separate entity from the borough government.
• Public education is provided by the Daniel Boone Area School District.
• Library services are available through the Boone Area Library.

Visiting Borough Hall

Borough Hall at 202 E. Main Street serves as the central point of contact for permits, forms, payments, recycling supplies, pavilion reservations and general questions about borough services. Residents and property owners who are unsure which office handles a particular matter can call 610-582-6030 for direction.