How Local Government Works
Residents of the greater West Chester area are simultaneously governed by multiple overlapping bodies — county, municipal, school district, and judicial. This guide explains how each one works, what powers it holds, and how its members are chosen. For names of current officeholders, see the Government Directory →
Who’s responsible for what?
Tap any service to see who handles it and how to get help.
This covers the most common services residents interact with — it is not a comprehensive list of every government function.
WCASD Board of Education
Public K-12 education across all 8 municipalities is entirely the responsibility of WCASD. The elected nine-member Board sets policy, approves a multi-hundred-million dollar annual budget, and hires the Superintendent. Individual municipalities have no authority over schools.
WCASD district office: 484-266-1000
WCASD / Chester County / Your municipality
You receive three separate property tax bills from three different taxing bodies — your municipality (borough or township), Chester County, and WCASD. Each is set independently by its governing body and collected separately. School district taxes are typically the largest portion of a resident’s total property tax bill. Chester County sets its own millage rate annually. Municipal rates vary by municipality.
Your elected local Tax Collector for municipal and school taxes. Chester County Treasurer: 610-344-6370 for county taxes.
Mayor (Borough) / Board of Supervisors (townships)
West Chester Borough has its own police department directed by the Mayor. Most townships have their own departments or share one — West Goshen has its own, Westtown and East Goshen share the Westtown-East Goshen Police Department, and East Bradford contracts with West Chester Borough. The County Sheriff handles court security and civil process, not day-to-day policing.
911 for emergencies. Your borough or township non-emergency line for local issues.
Your municipality (borough or township)
Zoning ordinances and building permits are set and issued by your municipality — the borough or township where your property is located. Each municipality has its own zoning map and code. What’s permitted in one township may not be permitted in another.
West Chester Borough Planning & Zoning: 610-696-4971. For townships, contact your township office directly.
Board of Supervisors / Chester County
Township parks and recreation programs are operated by each township. Chester County also operates regional parks and trails. East Bradford is notable for its significant open space preservation efforts.
Your township’s parks department. Chester County Parks: 610-344-6415.
Your municipality (borough or township)
Trash and recycling collection is managed by your borough or township, typically through contracts with private haulers. Programs, pickup schedules, and accepted materials vary by municipality.
Your township or borough public works department.
Township or municipal authority
Water and sewer is operated by a municipal authority or directly by the township, depending on location. Some areas are served by Pennsylvania American Water. Coverage varies widely.
Check your water bill for your service provider.
Township / Volunteer fire companies
Fire protection is primarily provided by volunteer fire companies, supported financially by townships and the Borough. EMS is provided by Good Fellowship Ambulance and similar regional organizations.
911 for all emergencies.
District Attorney
The elected District Attorney decides whether and how to prosecute criminal cases in Chester County. The DA operates independently of local police and the commissioners. Local police make arrests; the DA decides what happens in court.
Chester County DA’s Office: 610-344-6801
Court of Common Pleas judges
Civil, criminal, and family court cases are heard by elected Common Pleas judges. Magisterial District Judges handle minor civil matters, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings.
Chester County Justice Center: 610-344-6000
Chester County Voter Services
All elections — federal, state, county, and local — are administered by Chester County Voter Services. This includes voter registration, polling places, mail-in ballots, and certifying results. Your municipality has no role in running elections.
Chester County Voter Services: 610-344-6410
Chester County Health Dept.
Public health services including disease surveillance, environmental health inspections, and health programs are provided by the Chester County Health Department. Individual municipalities have no public health departments.
Chester County Health: 610-344-6225
Chester County Library System
Public libraries are part of the Chester County Library System, funded through county taxes and state aid.
Chester County Library: 610-280-2600
PennDOT / Chester County / Your municipality
Road maintenance and snow removal responsibility follows road ownership — and there are three layers. PennDOT owns and maintains state routes like Route 202, Route 30, and Route 926. Chester County maintains county roads. Your township or borough maintains local streets. Snow removal follows the same ownership — which is why some roads get plowed faster than others during storms.
PennDOT: 1-800-FIX-ROAD for state routes. Your township or borough for local roads.