Lancaster County
Lancaster County covers 944 square miles of southeastern Pennsylvania, with the county seat at Lancaster.
Lancaster County official website
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Where to find things
- Lancaster County property tax search and paymentProperty records · Property taxes
Look up a property's tax bill and amount due, and see the ways you can pay.
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- Pennsylvania property taxPennsylvania property tax is local. The county assessment office sets the value, and the county, your municipality and your school district each set a rate. DCED oversees local government and publishes the assessment manuals.
- Lancaster County Assessment OfficeProperty owner
The office that sets each property's value and classification. Start here for valuation notices, exemptions and appeals.
Kevin Edwards, Director of Assessment- Phone
- 717-299-8381
- edwardsk@lancastercountypa.gov
- Lancaster County zoning and land useZoning
Zoning districts and land use rules, and which uses and buildings the rules permit on a given piece of land.
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Farm wetland rules for USDA program participants. Before you drain, fill or clear a wet area in a farm field, ask NRCS at your local USDA Service Center for a wetland determination.
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- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sign-up, USDA Farm Service AgencyHow the Conservation Reserve Program works, which sign-ups are open and what it pays. You enroll land in CRP at your county Farm Service Agency office at the local USDA Service Center.
- NRCS highly erodible land determinationsHow NRCS decides whether a farm field is highly erodible land, which affects USDA program eligibility and conservation plans. Requests go to NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.
- FEMA Flood Map Service CenterFlood zones
Official source for flood insurance rate maps. Enter an address to see the current flood zone and download the FIRM panel and letters of map change.
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- Pennsylvania floodplain and flood mapsPennsylvania's floodplain program: the flood maps, the extra rules that apply to building or rebuilding near water, and who runs the program locally.
- FEMA Disaster DeclarationsSearch federal disaster and emergency declarations by state, county and incident to see whether an area was declared and what assistance was authorized.
- FEMA Increased Cost of ComplianceFlood insurance coverage that helps pay to elevate, relocate, demolish or floodproof a substantially damaged building.
- Pennsylvania septic system permitsSeptic systems
In Pennsylvania your municipality issues the septic permit through a certified Sewage Enforcement Officer, working under DEP rules. Start here for the rules, the planning module and the officer list.
- Pennsylvania state landsPublic land
State-owned land in Pennsylvania: who manages it, what you may do on it, and how leases and easements work.
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- USGS map of public and protected landNational map of federal, state, local and other public and protected land from the U.S. Geological Survey Protected Areas Database (PAD-US).
- Pennsylvania food assistanceFood assistance (SNAP and EBT)
Official Pennsylvania food-assistance program information, listed by USDA. Find application guidance and program contacts. Check the program for current eligibility, benefits, and EBT help.
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- USDA food assistance state directoryChoose a state or territory for official food-assistance program websites, applications, and EBT contacts.
- Pennsylvania local food-assistance officesFind a local office that handles food-assistance applications and case questions. Choose your county or service area in this official state directory.
- Pennsylvania unemployment benefitsUnemployment benefits
Official Pennsylvania unemployment insurance information. Find the program’s instructions for claims, eligibility, and ongoing benefits. Use its own guidance to choose where to file.
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- USAGov unemployment benefits overviewFind the state unemployment program and official filing guidance through USAGov. Where you worked can determine where you should file.
- Pennsylvania Medicaid and CHIPHealth coverage (Medicaid and CHIP)
Find Pennsylvania Medicaid application information and health-coverage contacts. Check the program for eligibility, renewals, and children’s coverage.
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- HealthCare.gov Medicaid and CHIP application guideFind Medicaid and children’s health-coverage application guidance and the official agency for your state or territory.
- Pennsylvania energy bill assistanceHeating and utility bill assistance
Find Pennsylvania energy-assistance information for heating, cooling, or utility bills. Follow the program’s application and local-provider instructions. Availability and eligibility are determined by the program.
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- USAGov help with energy billsLearn about help with heating, cooling, and energy bills, and find the official LIHEAP and weatherization program contacts.
- Pennsylvania WIC programWIC nutrition help
WIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
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- USDA WIC application and clinic guideWIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
- Pennsylvania child care assistanceHelp paying for child care
Child care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
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- ChildCare.gov help paying for child careChild care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
- PHFA renter assistanceRent help and public housing
Learn about rental help and public housing programs, how to apply, and who to contact. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- HUD Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housingLearn how Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing work, how to apply, and how to find your local public housing agency. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with your local agency.
- Pennsylvania emergency shelter and eviction helpEmergency shelter and eviction help
Find emergency shelter, homelessness services or help to avoid eviction, and see who to contact. Check current availability and eligibility with the program.
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- HUD Find ShelterSearch for nearby shelters, homeless services, food pantries and health clinics, or find your local homeless services network. Check current availability with each provider.
- Pennsylvania TANF cash assistanceCash assistance (TANF)
Learn about cash assistance for families with children, how to apply, and who to contact about your case. Check current eligibility and rules with the program.
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- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistanceLearn how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help works and find the program that serves your state. Apply through your state or local office.
- Pennsylvania child support servicesChild support services
Open a child support case, get help establishing paternity or a support order, and find payment and contact information.
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- Child support helpLearn how to get help collecting child support and find the child support agency that serves your state or tribe.
- Pennsylvania Department of AgingSenior services and aging
Find state programs for older adults and family caregivers, such as help at home, meals, caregiver support, and how to reach your local aging office. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- Eldercare LocatorFederal Eldercare Locator for finding local help for older adults and caregivers, such as meals, help at home, transportation, and your Area Agency on Aging. Search by ZIP code or call the listed number.
- Pennsylvania vocational rehabilitation servicesDisability services
Find state disability services, such as vocational rehabilitation for work and training, independent living help, and how to apply. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
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- State vocational rehabilitation agencies directoryFederal directory of state vocational rehabilitation agencies that help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep jobs. Use it to find your state agency and how to contact it.
- Pennsylvania veterans benefits helpVeterans benefits help
Get free help applying for federal and state veterans benefits, such as disability compensation, pension and survivor benefits, and find a veterans service officer near you. Check eligibility and office hours with the agency.
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- Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSOFind a VA accredited representative or veterans service organization (VSO) who can help you file a VA claim or appeal at no cost. Your state and county veterans service offices can also help.
- Pennsylvania unclaimed property searchUnclaimed money
Search the official unclaimed property list for money owed to you, such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, refunds and deposits, and file a claim. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
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- Find unclaimed money from the governmentLearn how to search for unclaimed money held by state governments and federal agencies, such as old bank accounts, tax refunds, savings bonds and pensions. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
- Pennsylvania driver and vehicle servicesDriver licenses and state IDs · Vehicle registration and titles
Official driver and vehicle services. Check the agency for renewals, appointments, document requirements, registration, and titles.
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- USAGov driver licensing and state ID guideOfficial guide to driver licenses and state identification, with links to state motor vehicle agencies.
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Official U.S. passport applications, renewals, document requirements, and acceptance facility information.
- USAGov Social Security benefits and replacement cardsSocial Security benefits and cards
Official guide to Social Security benefits, card replacement, and Social Security Administration services.
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Official Medicare enrollment, coverage, plan comparisons, and contacts for help with Medicare.
- IRS income tax filing and assistanceIncome taxes and filing help
Official federal income tax filing instructions, payment and refund information, and links to filing help.
- USAGov job search and career training guideJobs and career training
Official guide to public job training, career resources, and American Job Centers.
- USAGov federal student financial aid guideStudent financial aid
Official guide to FAFSA, federal student aid, and other ways to find help paying for education.
- Pennsylvania consumer protection officeConsumer complaints and scams
State consumer protection information, business complaints, and reporting contacts.
More options
- USAGov state consumer protection office directoryFind your state consumer protection office for business complaints and scam reporting.
- Pennsylvania emergency management and recovery contactsDisaster recovery assistance
State emergency management information and contacts for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Check the agency for available recovery programs.
More options
- USAGov disaster assistance application guideOfficial disaster assistance application information and links to FEMA and other recovery programs.
- USAGov legal aid and lawyer referral guideLegal aid and lawyer referrals
Find legal aid programs, lawyer referrals, and other sources of affordable legal help.
- USAGov federal, state, and local court directoryCourts and traffic tickets
Official guide to federal, state, territory, county, and municipal court websites.
- SBA business registration and startup guideStarting and registering a business
Official startup guide covering business registration, business structure, and federal and state tax IDs.
Lancaster County offices
- Lancaster County TreasurerProperty tax billing and collection.Amber Martin, County Treasurer
- Phone
- 717-299-8222
- martina@lancastercountypa.gov
- Address
- 150 N Queen Street (Enter on Chestnut St.) Lancaster, PA 17603
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County Recorder of DeedsRecords deeds and other land documents.Ann M. Hess, Recorder of Deeds
- Phone
- 717-299-8238
- Address
- 150 N Queen Street (Enter on Chestnut St.) Lancaster, PA 17603
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County Planning and ZoningZoning, land use and development review.
- Phone
- 717-299-8333
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County Environmental ServicesCounty environmental health services. Call to confirm who issues septic permits here.
- Phone
- 717-299-8000
- Address
- 150 N Queen Street (Enter on Chestnut St.) Lancaster, PA 17603
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County Public WorksRoads, bridges and right of way.
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County GISMapping and GIS data.
- Phone
- 717-299-8257
- ithelpdesk@lancastercountypa.gov
- Address
- 150 N Queen Street (Enter on Chestnut St.) Lancaster, PA 17603
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County parcel map and property searchLancaster County's public map viewer for parcel boundaries and local map layers.
- Lancaster County GIS data downloadsDownload or request the map layers, such as parcels, roads and aerial imagery.
- Lancaster County maps on GISFinderProperty lines, aerial photos, flood zones, wetlands and GIS data downloads.
- Lancaster County USDA FSA and NRCS officeThe Farm Service Agency office for Lancaster County is at the Lancaster Service Center, 1383 Arcadia Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601. Call it to sign up for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and other farm programs, and for farm and tract records. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works from the same office: ask it for wetland determinations, highly erodible land questions and conservation plans.
- Phone
- (717) 874-2558
- Address
- 1383 Arcadia Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601
- Website
- Visit website
Other county departments (8)
- Lancaster County Office of AgingResidents can learn about and request in-home and senior services, make a referral for an older adult, and report abuse, neglect, or exploitation by phone 24 hours a day.
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County BHDSResidents can find mental health, intellectual and developmental disability, and early intervention services, plus crisis intervention contacts and advisory board information.
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County Clerk of CourtsKeeps court records for Lancaster County. Deeds are recorded by the Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds.Nicky Woods, Clerk of Courts
- Phone
- (717) 299-8275
- lancasterclerkofcourts@lancastercountypa.gov
- Address
- 50 N. Duke St. (2nd floor) Lancaster, PA 17602
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County-Wide Communications (LCWC 911)You can view the live incident list, find contact information for the public safety agencies dispatched through LCWC, and learn about its public education programs and 911 services.
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County CASE Task ForceResidents can learn about child sexual exploitation and abuse, find prevention resources, report suspected child abuse through Childline at 800-932-0313, and contact the task force at CASE@lancastercountypa.gov or 717-299-8100.
- Website
- Visit website
- Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center Virtual Classroom (LCPSTC)Residents and public safety staff can log in to take enrolled online training courses, such as the dispatcher training program, through this Moodle-based virtual classroom.
- Website
- Visit website
- Public Safety Training Center course registrationYou can browse the course list, check the training schedule, and register for public safety training classes offered by the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center.
- Website
- Visit website
- LCSWMAYou can find residential and commercial disposal rates, recycling and household hazardous waste drop-off information, and composting and battery disposal guidance.
- Website
- Visit website
Guides
- How property taxes work: who assesses, who collects
- How to find who owns a piece of land
- How to get help buying food: SNAP and WIC
- How to file for unemployment benefits
- How to get Medicaid, CHIP or Marketplace health coverage
- Help paying energy bills: LIHEAP and weatherization
- Help paying for child care
- Help with rent and housing: Section 8, shelter and eviction help
- Cash assistance for families: TANF, SSI and general assistance
- How child support works
- Help for older adults and people with disabilities
- How to get help with veterans benefits
- How to find unclaimed money in your name
Other Pennsylvania counties
Neighboring counties
About Lancaster County
Lancaster County covers 944 square miles of southeastern Pennsylvania, with the county seat at Lancaster. The county assessment office values your house and land and the Recorder of Deeds keeps recorded land documents. The county tax comes from the County Treasurer, but the municipal and school tax is usually collected by an elected tax collector in your borough or township.
Cities in Lancaster County
- Adamstown
- Akron
- Bart Township
- Brecknock Township
- Caernarvon Township
- Christiana
- Clay Township
- Colerain Township
- Columbia
- Conestoga Township
- Conoy Township
- Denver
- Drumore Township
- Earl Township
- East Cocalico Township
- East Donegal Township
- East Drumore Township
- East Earl Township
- East Hempfield Township
- East Lampeter Township
- East Petersburg
- Eden Township
- Elizabeth Township
- Elizabethtown
- Ephrata
- Ephrata Township
- Fulton Township
- Lancaster
- Lancaster Township
- Leacock Township
- Lititz
- Little Britain Township
- Manheim
- Manheim Township
- Manor Township
- Marietta
- Martic Township
- Millersville
- Mount Joy
- Mount Joy Township
- Mountville
- New Holland
- Paradise Township
- Penn Township
- Pequea Township
- Providence Township
- Quarryville
- Rapho Township
- Sadsbury Township
- Salisbury Township
- Strasburg
- Strasburg Township
- Terre Hill
- Upper Leacock Township
- Warwick Township
- West Cocalico Township
- West Donegal Township
- West Earl Township
- West Hempfield Township
- West Lampeter Township