State Statutes Related to Land Use/Current Legislation
PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC)
The Municipalities Planning Code (pdf format) establishes the framework for land use planning and regulation in Pennsylvania. The MPC sets powers, duties, and procedures that apply uniformly to all classes of local governments – counties, cities, boroughs, townships, and home-rule municipalities – except the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
State Statutes Referenced in the Municipalities Planning Code
Sections 301(6) and 603(b) of the MPC require that local comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances be consistent with and not exceed the requirements contained in a number of specific statutes. All of those statutes are available for viewing below.
- Act 394 of 1937, the Clean Streams Law
- Act 418 of 1945, the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act
- Act 31 of 1966, the Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conservation Act (pdf)
- Act 318 of 1968, the Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act
- Act 230 of 1970, the Oil and Gas Act (repealed and replaced by Act 13 of 2012, amending Title 58 Oil and Gas of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes)
- Act 219 of 1984, the Non-coal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act
- Act 43 of 1981, the Agricultural Area Security Law
- Act 133 of 1982, An Act Protecting Agricultural Operations from Nuisance Suits and Ordinances Under Certain Circumstances
- Act 6 of 1993, the Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
Other State Statutes Related to Land Use
In addition to those acts listed in the MPC, there are other state laws that are of importance to local officials and others interested in sound land use. Refer to the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Local Government Law Library and the Pennsylvanian Local Government Commission for frequently cited municipal laws in Pennsylvania. Others include:
- Act 167 of 1961, the Historic District Act
- Act 537 of 1966, the Sewage Facilities Act
- Act 166 of 1978, the Flood Plain Management Act
- Act 167 of 1978, the Storm Water Management Act
- Act 238 of 2004, the Transit Revitalization Investment District Act