West Chester, Ohio officially adopted a Limited Home Rule form of township government January 20, 2000 following a vote of the people the year prior.
Per the Ohio Revised Code, Limited Home Rule allows certain townships of at least 2,500 residents in an unincorporated area to exercise “all powers of self-government,” subject to certain exceptions. Examples of these powers include establishing a police force and enforcing resolutions with fines of up to $1,000.
West Chester is one of 13 Butler County townships and Ohio’s largest township by population with more than 66,000 residents.
As a large Limited Home Rule township, West Chester is considered an “urban township” because the unincorporated population is greater than 15,000. This designation provides elected officials in large, city-like townships more tools for governing communities of their size.
Fun Facts
The township form of government is one of the oldest in the history of the United States, dating as far back as 1620.
There are more than 1,300 townships in Ohio. Townships encompass the unincorporated areas of the state and serve approximately one-third of the state’s population.
Residents elect three representatives forming the Board of Trustees, plus a Fiscal Officer. The Township Administrator is a hired position, reporting to the Trustees and responsible for day-to-day operations of Township business and departments.
West Chester has never been a city. Voters have rejected incorporation at the ballot box three times (1988, 1989, 1993) in the last 35 years.
“Foundations” is a series of stories recounting momentous occasions in West Chester, Ohio history. Subscribe to the COMMUNITY REPORT e-newsletter and visit www.WestChesterOH.org/200 to learn more about Township history as we celebrate our 200th birthday bicentennial anniversary.