Housing (Zoning)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1263: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preemptions, providing for prohibiting occupancy limits.

This bill prevents Pennsylvania local governments from setting rules that limit how many family members can live in a single home. It achieves this by amending state statutes to explicitly ban occupancy restrictions based on familial relationships, which include connections through blood, marriage, adoption, or foster care. While the law removes these specific family-based limits, it allows municipalities to still enforce occupancy rules if they are necessary for health, safety, fire codes, or wastewater standards. The changes become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits occupancy limits, protecting tenant rights and preventing arbitrary restrictions on housing use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 1281: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in planned residential development, providing for expedited high density housing approval.

SB 1281 amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to create a new process for faster approval of high-density housing projects. The bill requires the State Planning Board to establish rules allowing municipalities to approve specific residential developments on zoned lots without needing to update their comprehensive plans or land use regulations. These expedited approvals are limited to smaller housing units, such as duplexes, townhouses, and multi-unit buildings with fewer than 50 units, provided they meet existing density limits and are served by public utilities. The legislation also enables the use of pre-approved building plans and typical drawings to streamline the construction permitting process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expedites high-density housing approvals to increase housing supply and address affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2434: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in zoning, providing for expedited high density housing approval.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to create a streamlined approval process for high-density housing in designated growth areas. It requires the state Department of Community and Economic Development to establish rules that allow municipalities to fast-track land use decisions for vacant lots in zones where such housing is already permitted by right. The expedited process applies specifically to attached or detached homes, including accessory dwelling units, provided they meet minimum density standards and do not involve environmentally sensitive or hazard-prone areas. To support this initiative, the bill mandates the use of pre-approved building plans, concurrent review procedures, and a technical assistance hub to help local governments reduce delays and meet permitting timelines.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill streamlines approval for high-density housing, increasing supply and addressing housing needs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Land Use Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 1256: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in zoning, providing for accessory dwelling units and for public availability of public utility fees.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to standardize rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are secondary living spaces on single-family lots. It requires municipalities to allow at least one ADU per lot and sets a maximum size of 1,250 square feet or the size of the main home, whichever is smaller. The legislation restricts local governments from imposing certain barriers, such as requiring owner occupancy, mandating specific exterior designs, or charging additional fees for parking and impact. Additionally, the bill defines key terms like "gross floor area" and ensures that having an ADU does not reclassify a property as multifamily housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates ADUs to increase housing supply and restricts local barriers, directly advancing affordable housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 12, 2026

SB 1346: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in subdivision and land development, further providing for contents of subdivision and land development ordinance; and, in zoning, further providing for ordinance provisions and providing for accessory dwelling units.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to clarify definitions and streamline zoning rules for local governments. It mandates that municipalities allow accessory dwelling units, such as secondary living spaces on existing lots, in all areas where single-family homes are permitted. The legislation requires these units to be approved automatically within 14 days without a public hearing, provided they meet specific size and location criteria. Additionally, the bill ensures that no-impact home-based businesses are allowed by right in residential zones, subject to existing private land restrictions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates accessory dwelling units in all single-family zones with automatic approval, increasing housing supply and affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 1278: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Residential Economic Development District Grant Program and the Residential Economic Development District Fund.

This bill creates a new grant program and fund to encourage local governments in Pennsylvania to build large-scale workforce housing near major economic development projects. To qualify for funding, counties or municipalities must adopt specific pro-housing policies, such as reducing permit fees, allowing higher-density zoning, and eliminating parking requirements, while also approving a project with at least 50 residential units. The program is designed to help areas that might otherwise struggle to attract housing development by providing financial support to those that streamline their approval processes and infrastructure for new construction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new grant program and fund to finance workforce housing, directly advancing state budget initiatives for affordable housing and economic development.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a grant program to fund workforce housing and requires pro-housing policies like higher density and reduced fees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Zoning Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 18, 2026

HB 2423: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Residential Economic Development District Grant Program and the Residential Economic Development District Fund.

This bill creates a new grant program in Pennsylvania to encourage the construction of workforce housing in areas that might otherwise resist such development. Local governments can apply for funding if they commit to adopting at least five specific pro-housing policies, such as reducing permit fees, allowing higher-density zoning, or eliminating parking requirements. The program aims to increase home ownership and support major economic projects by providing financial assistance to counties and municipalities that streamline their housing approval processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a grant program funded by the state to encourage workforce housing and economic development, directly advancing fiscal management and funding for essential programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a grant program to fund workforce housing construction and requires pro-housing policies like higher-density zoning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Zoning Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 16, 2026

HR 484: A Concurrent Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to study the creation of a Statewide housing accelerator and to conduct a comprehensive review of State and local housing approval and permitting processes that delay residential construction.

This bill directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the creation of a statewide housing accelerator and review current approval processes that delay construction. The study will examine how inconsistent zoning rules, conservation district backlogs, and permitting steps slow down residential projects, while also looking at successful strategies used by other states. The commission is tasked with developing recommendations to streamline these procedures and expand housing availability, with a final report due to the General Assembly within one year.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill aims to streamline permitting and expand housing availability, directly supporting housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 1239: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in zoning, further providing for ordinance provisions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code to allow local governments to approve certain residential developments without enforcing standard zoning restrictions like minimum lot sizes, building height limits, or mandatory setbacks. It applies specifically to multifamily, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse projects in nonresidential zones, provided the developer has secured water and sewer connections from municipal systems. Under the new rules, these developments would not be subject to existing zoning requirements for density, parking, walls, fences, or open space, while still maintaining basic accessibility standards. The legislation defines key terms such as mixed-use (residential with less than 50% nonresidential space on the first floor) and adaptive reuse (retaining at least two exterior walls of an existing building). The changes take effect 60 days after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes zoning restrictions for multifamily and mixed-use developments, facilitating increased housing supply and density in nonresidential zones.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2185: An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for special provisions relating to ordinances.

HB 2185 requires Pennsylvania municipalities with populations over 5,000 (or high-density areas) to allow duplex, triplex, and quadplex housing as a permitted use by right where single-family homes are allowed, without requiring additional approvals. It prohibits municipalities from applying stricter zoning, subdivision, or design rules to these multi-unit housing types than to single-family homes. Developers must demonstrate that existing infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, and emergency services) can support new developments before permits are issued. The requirements apply differently based on municipality size: duplexes for 5,000+ residents, duplexes/triplexes for 10,000+, and all three housing types for 20,000+ residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires municipalities to permit duplexes/triplexes/quadplexes without additional approvals, removing zoning barriers to increase housing development options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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