Zoning
Important Notifications
Please be advised a bridge closure and detour will be in place due to construction on Mill Creek Road (SR4009).
The bridge is located between Mill Creek Road intersections of Browning Road and Mill Road.
The detour will begin Monday November 2nd and be in place for 2 weeks.
Detour signage will be in place prior to construction.
Please see map of the proposed detour.
Please be advised Bi State Construction is scheduled to perform work on Geiger's Covered Bridge (Old Packhouse Road) and will close the road to traffic on October 19th, 2026 for a short duration (approx. 1 week). Please see map of the proposed detour.
PennDot will be doing local traffic counts in all of district 5 between March 2 and November 19. Traffic Analysts Regional Map | PennDOT Memo | PennDOT Streets For Traffic Count
Electronic Permit & Application Submission Requirements (click for more information)
Important Information for Property Owners, Contractors, Developers, and Design Professionals
Lowhill Township has established electronic application submission requirements under Ordinance No. 2026-04, Section 5, amending the Township's 2025 Zoning Ordinance.
These requirements are intended to improve municipal efficiency, reduce incomplete applications, provide a more consistent review process, and maintain accurate electronic records of construction and development activities.
The electronic submission requirements apply to zoning, building, and grading permit applications; Zoning Hearing Board appeals; conditional approvals; and subdivision and land development applications, including applicable plans, reports, and supporting documentation.
A. Complete Applications Are Required
NO PIECEMEAL APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Before submitting a permit application, applicants must assemble all required materials into one complete application package.
For permit applications, the package must include:
- Original Township Permit Application: The completed and signed application available from the Township's Forms & Documents webpage.
- Universal Electronic Permit Submission Cover Sheet: The completed Cover Sheet identifying the applicant, property, permit type, proposed work, and required supporting materials.
PLEASE NOTE: The Universal Electronic Permit Submission Cover Sheet does not replace the original Township permit application. BOTH documents must be included in every applicable electronic permit submission.
- Project Description: A clear explanation of exactly what work is proposed and its precise location on the property or within the building.
- Required Plans and Drawings: Site or plot plans, construction drawings, architectural plans, trade diagrams, grading plans, or other documents applicable to the proposed work.
- Supporting Documentation: Required engineering reports, professional certifications, contractor information, stormwater or sewage documentation, and outside-agency approvals, as applicable.
Incomplete submissions may be returned or held pending the necessary documentation and will not be forwarded for technical review until accepted as complete.
B. How the Application Review Process Works
The Township has developed illustrated Flow Charts explaining the application and permit review process.
Generally, the process consists of:
- Application Submission: The applicant submits a complete electronic package using the Township's designated submission method.
- Administrative Completeness Review: Township staff verifies that the application and required documents have been received.
- Zoning Review: The Township Zoning Officer reviews applicable zoning requirements, including use, structure location, setbacks, and lot coverage.
- Technical Review: Where required, complete applications are forwarded to the Township Engineer, Barry Isett & Associates, or other reviewing agencies.
- Additional Information: Applicants may be required to address review comments, provide revised plans, or obtain additional approvals.
- Permit Approval and Issuance: Following completion of all required reviews, approvals, and payment of applicable fees, the Township issues the appropriate permit.
PLEASE NOTE: Submission of an application does not authorize construction. Work may not begin until all required permits and approvals have been issued.
C. Typical Permit Review Timeframes
The Township has developed a Public Permit Review Timelines chart to assist applicants in understanding the review process.
- Zoning-only permits: Approximately 5–15 business days for complete, straightforward applications.
- Building/zoning permits: Approximately 15–30 business days overall for complete applications, depending upon the scope and complexity of the project.
PLEASE NOTE: These timeframes are administrative estimates, not guaranteed approval deadlines. Applications requiring revisions, engineering review, outside-agency approvals, or Zoning Hearing Board relief may require additional time. Applicable statutory review deadlines remain controlling.
D. Electronic Submission and Permit Payments
Electronic documents must be provided in the file formats (pdf format that is OCR compatible) and through the submission methods designated by the Township Zoning Officer.
Electronic submission does not mean that the Township provides an online permit application or payment portal. Permit payments are currently accepted by cash or check only. Approved permits are issued in paper form and must be picked up at the Township office.
E. Application Forms, Cover Sheet, and Illustrated Guides
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the following documents before preparing or submitting an application:
Universal Electronic Permit Submission Cover Sheet
Required accompanying Cover Sheet for electronic permit submissions. Includes property information, application identification, scope of work, supporting-document checklist, and applicant certification.
Electronic Permit Submission Requirements & Review Timeframes
Step-by-step illustrated Flow Charts explaining completeness review, zoning review, technical review, requests for revisions, and permit issuance.
Complete Electronic Permit Package Guide
Illustrated examples of the documentation commonly required for new dwellings, sheds, swimming pools, decks, fences, zoning-only permits, and electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work.
All applicants should begin by visiting the Township's Forms & Documents section to obtain the applicable original application and accompanying guidance materials.
Questions and Assistance
Lowhill Township Municipal Office
7000 Herber Road
New Tripoli, PA 18066
Phone: 610-298-2641
For technical questions concerning building-code requirements, construction-plan review, or UCC inspections, contact Barry Isett & Associates at 610-398-0904.
Please review the application instructions and illustrated guides before submitting your materials. A complete and accurate submission is the best way to avoid unnecessary processing delays.
Lowhill Township News
For more info on the Ontaelaunee Park Veteran's Memorial, please visit our Parks & Recreation Page.
Projected employment, population growth celebrated at Lehigh Valley Awards gala
Borough of Coopersburg: safe sidewalks, trails and 80-acre expansion linking neighborhoods to key community assets. The borough has no debt and has community reserves.
The LVPC also recognized the retirements of Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong and Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure Jr.
Municipal retirees recognized were Larry Geiger, Lowhill Township, 47 years; John Diacogiannis, Hanover Township, Northampton County, 40 years; Cathay Bonaskiewich, Salisbury Township, 40 years; Gary Ritter, City of Allentown, 36 years; Matthew Reimert, South Whitehall Township, 35 years.
Also, Ron Heckman, Northampton County, 35 years; Cathy Martino, Roseto Borough, 34 years; Chris Spadoni, Northampton County, 30 years; Barry Betz, Lowhill Township, 29 years; and Mike Mitchell, Palmer Township, 26 years.
Important Notice Regarding Open Burning In The Township
Spring is brush fire season in our region. Area fields are full of dry crop residue, wooded areas are covered in dry leaves and yards haven't turned green yet. The mixture of low humidity, high winds and plenty of available items on the ground to burn can make for a very dangerous situation. The Township monitors weather conditions daily and may place a temporary restriction on burning until conditions improve. Please be aware that while Spring is historically the most common time of year for burn bans, they can be enacted at any time as a result of drought or other weather related events.
Burn bans are enacted every time a Fire Danger Weather Related Warning is issued for our area by the National Weather Service. These notices include the following:
-Fire Weather Watch
-Enhanced Threats for Fire Spread
-Red Flag Warnings
Burn bans apply to all open fires! For more information regarding regulations for burning including acceptable items to burn, hours of burning, setbacks, etc. please review the Township's Burn Ordinance. Ways that you can find out if a burn ban is in effect:
-Contact the Lehigh County 911 Center, Non-emergency # 610-437-5252
(Note: Per Twp. Ord. All open burns must be reported to the County 911 Center via this #)
-Contact the Township office at 610-298-2641 during normal business hours
-Sign-up for weather alerts from the National Weather Service. If an alert is issued related to fire weather in our Township then open burning is prohibited during the times specified in the alert.
Upcoming Events / Meetings
Welcome to Lowhill Township
Lowhill Township is located in Lehigh County, PA with a population of 2,982. We are an exurban rural community approximately 15 miles from Allentown, Pennsylvania, and within the Lehigh Valley metropolitan area. Lowhill Township is known for its peaceful, countryside atmosphere and scenic landscapes which offers a blend of rural living and accessibility to many amenities within the Lehigh Valley.
Lowhill Township is also located within the beautiful Jordan Creek Watershed which eventually drains into the Lehigh River. Jordan Creek Watershed is noted for it's high quality waters, the abundance of trout, amphibians and reptile habitats, its extensive and pristine bird and animal habitats and its unforgettable scenic roadways and vistas. Lowhill Township is considered the most rural municipality in the entire Lehigh Valley. Lowhill Township contains the small villages of Claussville, Leather Corner Post, New Tripoli, Lyon Valley, and Weidasville. The main highway in Lowhill Township is Route 100 which crosses the Township from north to south.
Lowhill Township was established on the 18th day of December, 1753 in the Quarter Sessions Court of Northampton County. Lowhill Township was originally part of the territory that William Penn's sons purchased from the Lenni-Lenape tribe during the infamous Walking Purchase of 1737. Although Lowhill was initially designated part of Northampton County, the township was transferred over when Lehigh County was created in 1812.
Lowhill Township continues to be a very picturesque working farming community replete with rolling hills and mineral-rich soil, that was primarily settled by German immigrants who came to the area during the early part of the 18th Century. As a result, the German dialect known as Pennsylvania Dutch was the primary language of the area for nearly two hundred years, and was often taught in the one-room schoolhouses that operated in the area until the mid-1950's.
Lowhill Township is extremely blessed with thousands of acres of woodlands and open space. The Township boasts a quiet and peaceful lifestyle, appealing to those seeking a slower pace of life. Lowhill Township exhibits an exurban and rural environment with a mix of traditional farmhouses and modern single-family homes, often on larger lots.
The extensive amount of preserved farmlands, public open space and public recreation in Lowhill Township is remarkable. We are the home for the Trexler Nature Preserve, which includes trails with offering opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing.
The Lehigh Valley Zoo is also located partially in Lowhill Township and provides wild and exotic animals and even offers fording of the Jordan Creek. Several scenic covered bridges are exhibited on the Township roadways leading to the Lehigh Valley Zoo and to the Trexler Nature Preserve.
The PA State Gamelands which consists of over 1200 preserved acres of vital open space and woodlands for hunting and wildlife habitat is also a main stay in Lowhill Township.
Lastly, while Lowhill Township currently doesn't have their own municipal park, the Township helps support the Northwestern Recreation Commission, which operates sports fields near Northwestern Lehigh High School.
Lowhill Township Information
Information taken from the United States 2020 census and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
