Malvern Borough Or “Malvern Address”? Know The Difference

Thinking about buying or selling in Malvern and seeing “Malvern, PA 19355” everywhere? Here is the catch: a Malvern mailing address is not the same as living in Malvern Borough. If you want clarity on taxes, schools, permits, utilities, and how listings are labeled, you are in the right place. This guide breaks it down and gives you a quick way to verify any property. Let’s dive in.

Malvern Borough vs “Malvern address”

A property inside the Borough of Malvern sits within a small, defined municipality with its own council, police, public works, and ordinances. The Borough is compact, and its government services are clearly outlined on the official site. Learn more about the Borough’s structure.

A “Malvern” mailing address or ZIP code 19355 covers a much larger area that includes parts of nearby townships like East Whiteland, Charlestown, Tredyffrin, and Willistown. The USPS assigns postal names for mail delivery, which do not set municipal boundaries. See how ZIP 19355 spans multiple municipalities and why postal cities differ from legal ones.

The bottom line: mailing address is not municipality. Municipality determines taxes, zoning, permitting, voting precincts, and some residency rules.

Why this difference matters

Local government and permits

If your parcel is inside Malvern Borough, you follow Borough ordinances and work with Borough offices for permits and code enforcement. Review local police and services and codes and zoning.

If your parcel is outside the Borough but still says “Malvern” in the address, your township handles police, road maintenance, zoning, and permits. For example, East Whiteland Township maintains its own police department and municipal services. View East Whiteland Police.

School district basics

The Borough of Malvern is within the Great Valley School District. Many nearby “Malvern” addresses are also in Great Valley, but not all. School district boundaries do not follow ZIP codes. Always confirm the district by parcel with the district directly. Great Valley School District info.

Taxes and millage

In Pennsylvania you typically pay three separate real estate tax bills: county, municipal, and school district. Millage rates vary by entity and by year. Chester County posts county millage, and municipalities set their own rates. See Chester County tax rates and check local updates on Malvern Borough budget news.

Utilities, services, and transit

Water and sewer

Many in-Borough properties receive water service from Aqua Pennsylvania and sewer collection through the Borough, with treatment by the regional Valley Forge Sewer Authority. Outside the Borough, water and sewer providers can differ, and some properties use private well or septic. Check Borough water and sewer info and VFSA service areas.

Why it matters: provider and system type affect quarterly bills, connection fees, and inspection needs during a sale.

Trash, recycling, and streets

Collection schedules, approved haulers, yard-waste rules, and local ordinances vary by municipality. Always confirm the responsible office for your address. Review Malvern Borough codes and ordinances.

Transit and commuting

The Malvern SEPTA Regional Rail station serves the area and is part of ongoing accessibility and platform improvements in the capital program. Proximity to the station is a selling point across the 19355 area, but it does not determine jurisdiction. See station improvement plans.

Real estate implications for buyers and sellers

Why listings show “Malvern” outside the Borough

MLS systems store multiple location fields, including Municipality, Postal City, and in some cases a separate Listing City. Consumer sites often display the postal city, so a home in a township may still appear as “Malvern, PA.” This is normal database behavior. MLS guidance on Municipality vs Postal City.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Assuming a “Malvern” address means Borough taxes or Borough permitting. Verify the municipality by parcel.
• Assuming school assignment from ZIP or an online map. Confirm with the district directly. Great Valley SD contact info.
• Estimating taxes from a listing alone. Check current millage for county, municipal, and school. Chester County tax rates.

How to verify any property in minutes

1. Confirm the municipality. Use the Chester County parcel viewer to identify the exact municipality for the address. Start at the county information services hub.
2. Confirm the school district. Call the district or review district tools for the parcel. Great Valley School District info and school tax resources.
3. Check permitting and zoning. Contact the correct municipal office for required permits, inspections, and zoning classification. Malvern Borough building and code or your township’s equivalent.
4. Review taxes. Ask the seller for last year’s county, municipal, and school tax bills, then compare to current millage. County tax rates.
5. Confirm utilities. Identify water supplier and sewer status. In-Borough, start here: Borough water and sewer. For regional treatment context: VFSA service areas. If needed, check Aqua Pennsylvania’s PA service overview.
6. Validate transit claims. If walkability or station access is a selling point, measure from the parcel and review SEPTA’s station improvement plans.
7. If listing a property, complete MLS fields correctly. Enter Municipality, Postal City, and Listing City per your MLS rules. MLS field definitions explained.

Quick scenarios to make it real

• Inside Malvern Borough: You pay Borough municipal taxes, follow Borough zoning, and contact Malvern Police for local enforcement. Water and sewer are typically handled through the Borough’s setup with Aqua and VFSA. See Borough water and sewer.
• Malvern address in East Whiteland: You pay township municipal taxes, follow township ordinances, and contact East Whiteland Police. Water and sewer could be township-managed, an authority, or private systems depending on the parcel. Verify before you buy.

Ready to move forward with confidence in 19355? If you want a clear, concierge path from verification to closing, connect with Arielle Roemer for tailored guidance and market-smart execution.

FAQs

Am I in Malvern Borough if my address says Malvern 19355?

• Not necessarily. ZIP 19355 spans multiple municipalities. Confirm the parcel in the county viewer or with the local office. ZIP coverage and county info hub.

Who handles my permits and inspections in 19355?

• The municipality that contains your parcel handles permitting and code enforcement. In Borough, start here: Malvern building and code.

Which police department serves my home?

• The responding agency is set by your municipality. In Borough, see Malvern Police; in nearby townships, check the township police department.

How do I confirm my school district for a Malvern address?

• Do not rely on the ZIP code. Contact the district and have them check your exact address. Great Valley SD info.

How do property taxes differ between Borough and townships?

• You will pay county, municipal, and school taxes. The municipal portion depends on whether you are in the Borough or a township. County tax rates overview.