Land Use

Find articles and information on land use planning, zoning, and all the regulations you need to know.

Land Use Planning

Land use planning affects everyone in a community and also impacts the natural environment. This is why it’s critical that land use and land use regulations are conceived and developed with consideration of the surrounding community and all stakeholders. Members of the public play a crucial role in the decision-making process.

Four land use planning tools available in Pennsylvania communities are the planning commission, comprehensive plan, subdivision and land development regulations, and zoning. Authorization of these tools comes from the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

Consideration should be given to those running an agricultural business. It’s also useful to know what resources are available in an area by referencing Pennsylvania’s Land Resources Map. Land Cover maps are helpful for watershed planning, urban tree canopy maps, stormwater management, and much more.

Water supply protection is something communities and their leaders should also consider when making land-use plans. As more people move to more rural areas, water rights will increasingly be a subject of debate. Solar energy is also a hot topic as more people look for sustainable energy sources.

Land Zoning and Zoning Codes

If you’re a residential property owner who wants to build a home or a commercial developer interested in building a shopping center, it’s essential to understand the process of getting a zoning permit. Farmers also need to understand and be aware of municipal zoning ordinances. Farmland zoning ordinances can regulate things like fencing, what you can grow on the land, and what animals you can raise.

Local municipalities adopt zoning regulations to ensure new development fits in with what’s already there. Planning commissions in Pennsylvania help in the drafting of a zoning ordinance.

Planning Commissions

A planning commission is a body of citizens that serves within a local government. A planning commission's role is to advise the municipal governing body on issues and policies relating to planning, land use regulation, and community development. They also play a role in the subdivision and land development regulations. Commissions meet once, twice, or several times a month to discuss proposed development, planning initiatives, and new ordinances.

If you want to be involved in your local planning commission, you can run for office yourself or influence elected officials and work within the system.

A tree commission is not the same as a planning commission but can act in an advisory capacity to the planning commission. It is a way for the community to create and sustain an urban forestry program. Another type of commission that has an advisory role is a River Basin Commission. These commissions address basin-wide water resource issues and are established by the legislature.

In this section, find more information and resources on zoning and land use regulations and what these mean for you.