Basement finishing in Spring Garden Township
A compact, built-up township on York's south and southwest side, home to Grantley and Valley View.
Spring Garden Township is small in area, about 6.7 square miles, but densely settled, with 13,688 residents at the 2020 census. It borders the City of York and includes the communities of Grantley and Valley View. It's also home to the headquarters of York International, the HVAC maker. Springettsbury Township was split off from Spring Garden in 1891, which says something about how long this area has been settled.
What the housing looks like
With roughly 4,500 housing units as of the 2010 census and little open land left, Spring Garden is mostly established neighborhoods rather than new subdivisions. That means many basements here are being remodeled or finished for the first time decades after the house was built. Common requests are taking out old paneling, adding a half bath, or creating a guest room for visiting family or a student at York College nearby.
Watch the ceiling height
Older and mid-century houses often have beams and ducts that hang low. The 2021 IRC generally requires 7 feet of ceiling height in habitable basement space, with 6 feet 4 inches allowed under beams and ducts. A contractor can sometimes reroute ducts or use soffits to make the numbers work.
Permits
Under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, a basement finish here needs a building permit from the township or the code agency it appoints. Ask the contractor to confirm the application requirements and inspection sequence with the township before work starts.
Questions people ask
Can you help with a basement guest room near York College?
Yes. If the room will be used for sleeping, it needs an egress window or exterior door and proper alarms. Call and we'll connect you with a contractor.
Are Grantley and Valley View in Spring Garden Township?
Yes. Both are census-designated communities within the township.
Services in Spring Garden Township
- Full basement finishingTurning a bare concrete or block basement into heated, drywalled living space from start to finish.
- Basement remodelingUpdating an older finished basement: paneling, drop ceilings, tired carpet and layouts that no longer work.
- Basement bathroomsAdding a full or half bath below the main sewer line, with the pump, venting and exhaust it needs.
- Basement bedrooms and egressMaking a lower-level bedroom legal: escape window, alarms, ceiling height and the permit.
- Home theaters and media roomsA dark, quiet room for movies or games, with wiring, sound control and lighting planned in.
Nearby areas
Ready to use the space under your house?
One call and a basement finishing contractor who works in York County will set up a time to look at it.