HB 2109 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preemptions, providing for occupancy limits.

HB 2109 prohibits Pennsylvania local governments (like cities, towns, and counties) from setting household size limits based on familial relationships (such as parents with children or roommates). It allows occupancy limits only for verified health/safety standards (like building codes) or to comply with federal/state affordable housing program rules. The bill directly affects renters, homeowners, and local officials who previously enforced such restrictions. Key definitions clarify that "familial relationship" includes blood, marriage, adoption, or foster care ties, and "local government unit" covers all Pennsylvania municipalities. This bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jun 2026
House Passage
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 5, 2026 Last action Jun 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN3172 Printer's No. PN3488 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated to reflect its progression through the legislative process, including new co-sponsors and a second amendment. The most significant policy change is the explicit addition of 'matriculated students at a college or university' as a valid reason for occupancy limits, alongside health and safety standards. This clarifies that local governments can legally limit the number of unrelated students living together in a single dwelling, addressing a gap in the previous version.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly authorize occupancy limits for unrelated students living together, in addition to existing limits based on health and safety codes.
ELIGIBILITY

Added 'matriculated students at a college or university' as a specific category allowing local governments to limit occupancy numbers.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized the text to clearly separate the authorization for limiting unrelated individuals from the prohibition on limiting individuals based on familial relationships.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to include new co-sponsors (Dougherty and Briggs) and changed the amendment status to reflect a second consideration on June 2, 2026.

Floor votes · House Jun 8, 2026

How they voted

12378
Passed
Total votes 201
Jun 8, 2026
D Democratic102
84 Yea 18 Nay
82% Yea
R Republican99
39 Yea 60 Nay
60% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Jun 11, 2026
Committee
Referred to Urban Affairs & Housing
upper
Jun 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
Jun 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
Jun 2, 2026
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Jan 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Housing & Community Development
lower
1 primary · 25 co-sponsors

Sponsors