Name_________________
Zoning and Land Use
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Commonwealth of PA)
“The power and responsibility to plan for land use and its regulation lies exclusively with the local government.”
Each Township or Borough has a Zoning Board. It has the power to influence or control the way development
happens in the community through zoning laws. Zoning is the power of a local government to establish reasonable
requirements to guide and coordinate the present and future land use of the community.
The purpose of zoning is to distribute the uses of land. Each government prepares a “comprehensive development
plan and governs such development through zoning and subdivision and land development ordinances … dividing
the community into usage districts”. Each municipality is required to have a municipal plan and must review the
municipal plan every 10 years. “With the zoning powers given to them by law, municipalities may regulate and
restrict the height and size of buildings and other structures, their construction, the percentage of lot they occupy, the
size of yards, courts and open spaces, the density of population, and the location and use of buildings, structures and
land for trade, industry, residence and other purposes.“ “Zoning regulations must accommodate: reasonable overall
community growth, including employment growth, and opportunities for development of a variety of residential
dwelling types and nonresidential uses. Some other purposes of zoning are to: Lessen street congestion, Secure
safety from fire hazards, Prevent overcrowding on land, Facilitate adequate provision for community services and
Promote the health, safety and general welfare of the community.”
Land use permitted
Eminent domain- the right of government to take, or authorize the taking of, private property for public use, just
compensation being given to the owner.
Zones
Residential- suitable for homes. Examples: Apartments, Condominiums, Townhomes, Twins, Single family
dwellings. Low density residential and high density residential.
Rural/agricultural- farming, living in the country
Commercial- connected with commerce or trade, to do with stores, offices, etc….
Industrial- having to do with industry, factories
Government- Open space- Fields, Parks/playgrounds, Golf course
Zones do not allow building or development of another type zone inside that zone unless zoning is changed or an
exception is made. Example: No homes (residential) are to be built in an industrial zone, only factories.
Sprawl- to spread out in an awkward and uneven way, especially so as to take up more space than is necessarySuburban Sprawl- Increased dependence on oil, Increased pollution and loss of habitat for animals, Increased
separation of people by income, Decay of existing towns and cities
Special Purpose Districts
Throughout the state there are various local governmental agencies set up to handle specific
areas. Best known of these are the school districts and various authorities. Authorities are set up
by local governments to handle a specific problem such as water treatment or sewage disposal
plants.
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Review Questions: Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure your work is thorough and
complete.
ZONING
1. Explain how townships and boroughs use zoning laws to influence or to control the way development
happens in their community.
2. List and explain the types of zoning.
3. Explain what suburban sprawl is and what problems it contributes to.