The Commonwealth Court has taken the clear position that zoning ordinance adoptions are purely "legislative acts" and that courts should not consider the motives of a legislative body adopting such ordinances.
East Lampeter Twp. V. County of Lancaster Human Relations Commission and Albert C. Hondaras, 744 A2d 359 (2000)
The use of an oscillating searchlight used to attract customers to a business was specifically prohibited by a Township Zoning Ordinance.
Sutliff Enterprises, Inc. v. Silver Spring Twp. Zoning Hearing Bd., 933 A.2d. 1079 (Pa. Commw. 2007).
Paupack Township, et al. v. Lake Moc-A-Tek, Inc., et al.
863 A.2d 615 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2004)
The MPC does not generally apply to the City of Pittsburgh.
Vitti et. al, v. Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Pittsburgh and Bethlehem Haven, 710 A2d. 653, Pa. Cmwlth (1998)
A municipality may not compel the payment of real estate taxes or municipal obligations through the denial of licenses and permits required for real property development unless such power is conferred by statute.
Trigona v. Lender, 2007 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 316 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2007)
Teed v. Hilltown Township
2004 WL 1149486 (E.D.Pa.)
The construction of billboards is not a miscellaneous use structure related to residential structures under the Construction Code Act. The construction of billboards does not require land development approval under the MPC because it is construction on a small scale.
Warminster Fiberglass Co., Inc. v. Upper Southampton Township, (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2007).
Warner Jenkinson Company v. ZHB of Robeson Twp.
863 A.2d 139 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2004)
In determining whether property should be deemed an agricultural security area, a governing body should focus on whether the land is appropriate for agricultural uses now and in the future, not whether the existing or proposed use comports with current zoning.
41 Valley Associates v. London Grove Twp. Board of Supervisors,
882 A.2d 5 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2005), app. granted, 898 A.2d 1073 (Pa. 2006).
Chrin Brothers, Inc. v. Williams Twp. ZHB, et al., 815 A.2d 1179 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2003), 2/3/03: