Notice is hereby given that the Royalton Borough Council is seeking public input regarding the proposed elimination of the current two (2) ward system and the reduction of the total number of Council members from eight (8) to seven (7), with all members to be elected at large by the voters of the Borough.

A petition is currently available for signature allowing Royalton residents to express their opinion on this matter:

“Pursuant to the Borough Code, the undersigned, being duly registered electors of the Borough, support the abolition of Wards in the Borough of Royalton and the reduction of Council to seven (7) members elected at large.”

This petition is being circulated due to the ongoing difficulty in recruiting and retaining Council members under the current ward-based system.

Registered electors of Royalton Borough who wish to support this mater may sign the petition at the Royalton Borough Office during regular business hours prior to June 5, 2026. 

For additional information, please contact the Royalton Borough Office.

Effective March 7, 2026, card holder access will be limited to 10 visits per year.   Purchase of an entry card must be purchased annually at Middletown Borough prior to using the facility at 110 Industrial Lane to drop off yard waste.  Cards must be purchased at Borough Hall, 60 W Emaus St, Middletown. 

Middletown Residents Annual Fee:  $10.00

Lower Swatara/Royalton Resident Annual Fee:  $50.00

FREE Mulch and Leaf Compost Available – Effective March 7, 2026

Woody Waste mulch and leaf compost are FREE while supplies last.  Free pick-up is available at Susquehanna Street Park at the football parking lot effective March 7, 2026.

Compliance with this Ordinance will be effective for Residential Users January 1, 2025.

Ref: Backflow Prevention- Ordinance No. 250

Dear Royalton Resident: We are writing to inform you of important backflow prevention ordinance requirements that apply to your Royalton Borough property. The Borough of Royalton in 2019 adopted a Backflow Prevention Ordinance known as Borough Ordinance No. 250 pursuant to the Borough Code, the Pennsylvania Code and the Cleanwater Act. The purpose of this ordinance is to protect the public water supply from contamination or pollution by isolating, within the property owner’s water system, contaminates or pollutants which could backflow through the service connection into the public water system. For your convenience, we have enclosed relevant excerpts from the backflow prevention ordinance regarding approved devices, installation guidelines and potential need for an expansion tank. A full copy of the ordinance may be found at www.royaltonpa.com or obtained from the Borough office. Compliancy with this Ordinance will be effective for Residential Users on January 1, 2025. These device(s) must be installed by a certified plumber or a qualified installer of your choice. Installation of the device(s) shall be at the expense of the property owner. Once your backflow device installation has been completed, or if you already have the device installed, you may schedule an inspection by contacting the Royalton Borough office at (717) 944-4831. If you have any questions regarding the ordinance requirements or need assistance with compliance, please contact the Borough. Our team is available to provide guidance and support to ensure your compliance with these important regulations. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the safety and integrity of our water supply system.

Sincerely, The Royalton Borough Authority

Visit the Borough Office or the Ordinances Page to view this ordinance.

UTILITY ASSISTANCE:  COMMUNITY ACTION CENTER – 717-616-8443   

LIHEAP– https://www.compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome

DAUPHIN COUNTY EARP:  EMERGENCY RENTAL & UTILITY RELIEF APPLICATION

If you have not resided in the Borough of Royalton during this current tax year (move date must be prior to July 1 of current tax year)

If you have or will reach the age of seventy-two (72) years before December 31st of this current tax year

Or if you did not reach the age of eighteen (18) years on or before June 30th of this current tax year

The owner, occupant or tenant of every property is accountable to remove all snow, ice, slush, or any combination of them, from the sidewalk and driveway/curb area up to 3 feet.  The removal of material may not be placed into the public street where the road is plowed.

Conserve energy to keep costs down

Conserving energy will help keep costs down all year long.  It’s not always convenient in the summer to push the thermostat up or in the winter to turn it down but any conservation measures you take will be effective.  

Here are a few tips to help you to conserve energy in your home:

1.  You can monitor your electric meter by taking readings yourself at any time during the month. 

2.  Replace standard incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, and watch how much more slowly the elctric meter turns. 

3.  Replace old appliances with energy efficient models if possible. 

4.  Use power strips to turn off several devices at the end of each day. 

5.  Use natural sunlight as much as you can by opening curtains. 

6. Use less hot water. Heating water takes a lot of energy. It’s not necessary to take cold showers, but being mindful of how much hot water you use, and how the water is being heated, can save a lot of electricity and money.

• Make sure your water heater is insulated so that it isn’t losing too much heat.
• Consider getting a water heater that doesn’t run on a continuously lit pilot light.
• Take showers instead of baths. Baths use a lot more water than showers.
• Take shorter showers. Spending 20 minutes in the shower uses up too much electricity.

7. Insulate your home.  Making sure there are good seals on the doors and windows leads to huge savings in energy costs. Insulation keeps your home from leaking cool air-conditioned air during the summer and warm heated air during the winter.

• Have a contractor inspect your home’s insulation to determine whether it’s efficient enough. Consider the attic, crawlspaces, basement, walls and ceiling. You may want to look into fitting your home with new insulation.
• Weather-strip your home by using caulk and weather strip in your doorways, windows and around window air conditioners. You can also purchase plastic sheeting to put over the windows during the winter.

 DAUPHIN COUNTY

ORDINANCE NO.  271

            AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF ROYALTON, DAUPHIN

COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, REGULATING OUTSIDE BURNING WITHIN THE BOROUGH; SETTING TIME LIMITS, TYPE OF MATERIAL TO BE BURNED, AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH BURNING MAY BE PERMITTED.  PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF, AND CONTAINING OTHER PROVISIONS, AND TO AMEND ORDINANCE 153 AND ORDINANCE 225.

Open burning prohibited. 

No person shall cause, suffer, allow or permit open burning of refuse, designated recyclable materials, or plant life nor conduct a salvage operation by open burning.

Exceptions. 

A.  This article shall not apply to the following activities which do not require a permit from the Fire Marshal or the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection:

(1)  Open barbeque pits or devices of similar construction, whether they are of a permanent or temporary nature, when such pits or devices are used for the purpose of preparing food for human consumption. The burning of refuse or designated recyclable materials in conjunction with open barbeque pits or devices of similar construction is strictly prohibited; or

(2)  Fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas or similar portable devices, but only when the following requirements and conditions are met:

(a)  Any person operating a fire pit, fire bowl, chiminea or similar portable device must have permission from the landowner.

(b)  There must be one person at least 18 years of age present to assume responsibility for the use of these devices.

(c)  Appliances must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines. User instructions and guidelines shall be kept nearby for quick reference.

(d)  Use of fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas and similar portable devices must be a minimum of 15 feet away from any building or structure in all directions. All flammable material(s), e.g., mulch, fabrics, firewood, etc., must be kept a minimum of three feet in diameter around the appliance.

(e)  The use of fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas or similar portable devices on a balcony or deck is prohibited.

(f)  Use of only aged, dried wood is allowed. The burning of any type of construction material or trash is prohibited.

(g)  The use of any type of flammable or combustible liquid at any time is prohibited.

(h)  A garden hose connected to a constant water source or extinguishing device must be stored close by, available and operational in the event of an emergency.

(i) Smoke is not allowed to cross property lines. Users must be mindful of the wind speed prior to starting this type of fire.

(j) Fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas and similar portable devices shall not be used on “Code Orange” or “Code Red” air quality days.

(k) Users must dispose of all ashes in a safe manner. After 24 hours has passed, all leftover hot ashes must be thoroughly dampened, cooled and stored in a metal can that is used solely for ash storage. The metal can should be a minimum of five feet from any structure. Ashes that are two or three days old may appear to be safe but can still retain enough heat to cause an unwanted fire. Do not discard hot ashes in a compost pile, paper bag, cardboard box, or anything that is combustible.

(l) Care and necessary precautions should be taken in handling partially burned wood. The wood may still be smoldering and could cause a serious burn.

B.  The use of fire pits, fire bowls, chimineas or similar portable devices without taking the proper precautions, including but not limited to the requirements and conditions described above, is strictly prohibited. If said use is determined by the Middletown Volunteer Fire Department to be hazardous, it may result in the fire being extinguished by the Fire Department.

Violations and penalties. 

Any person violating Ordinance 271 shall, upon conviction thereof before any District Justice, be liable to a fine of not more than $300, plus costs of prosecution, or, in default of the payment of said fine and costs of prosecution, to imprisonment for not more than 30 days in the county jail.

Basically, know that when you are walking your dog(s) and they do any of their business on any property other than your own, you are required to remove it.  Remember to carry a disposal bag with you and respect your neighbors by cleaning up after your pet.

Also, it is apparent that dogs bark however if your dog is disturbing the peace of your neighbor or neighborhood that is another story.  Please be aware of the length of time your dog is outside barking.        

Please take the responsibility that goes along with having a dog.  Your neighbors will appreciate it and you will not be cited and fined for violating the dog ordinance.

Dog licensing is required for all dogs 3 months of age and older.  Please see the following link to purchase your dog licenses.

http://www.padoglicense.com/