Police Department

The Donegal Township Police Department began providing service to Independence Township on May 19, 2025. Our officers are here to protect and serve our residents and ensure a safe and secure environment. You will see the cruisers patrolling our streets regularly. The officers will provide fair, objective and professional service, enforce law & local ordinances, and provide community-oriented policing.

The Independence Township Board of Supervisors had been working to put a dedicated local police force back on our streets since the arrangement with the McDonald Police Force ended in 2023, due to a shortage of officers. Safety and security is always our primary concern here, and residents have always expressed a shared desire for having a local force. A contract with Donegal had been initiated soon after the McDonald contract ended, and we are so pleased that, as of May 2025, there is now enough manpower to provide service here.

Key Township Ordinances & Property Reminders

Independence Township has ordinances addressing property maintenance, animals, vehicles, streets and sidewalks, zoning, nuisances and other matters affecting the community.

The following are some commonly applicable regulations and reminders. This list is not a complete summary of Township ordinances. For complete and current ordinance language, please refer to the Independence Township Code of Ordinances.

• House Numbers: Address numbers must be clearly visible and readable from the public right-of-way and must be at least 4 inches high with a minimum ½-inch stroke width. Additional requirements apply when a structure is located too far from the public right-of-way for the numbers to be visible. See Ordinance
• Grass & Weeds: Grass, weeds and similar vegetation may not exceed 6 inches in height on applicable properties within the Township. See Ordinance
• Animals: Animals, including household pets such as dogs and cats, may not be allowed to run at large within Independence Township. See Ordinance
• Sidewalks & Curbs: Township ordinances establish responsibilities and requirements for the construction, repair and maintenance of sidewalks and curbs. See Ordinance
• Junked or Abandoned Vehicles: Township ordinances regulate the storage of junked, abandoned and certain inoperable vehicles on private property. See Ordinance
• Vehicle Storage: Zoning regulations limit the storage of certain disabled, inoperable or improperly registered/inspected vehicles and equipment. Generally, no more than two such vehicles or equipment units may be stored for more than 30 days, subject to certain exceptions. See Ordinance
• Nuisances: Township ordinances address certain conditions that may constitute a nuisance, including property maintenance and other conditions affecting the health, safety and welfare of the community. See Ordinance
• Transient Retail Businesses: A Township license is required for certain transient retail activities, including peddling, soliciting and temporary sales, subject to specific exceptions. See Ordinance