SB 1239 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

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.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 30, 2026 Last action Mar 30, 2026
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Total actions
1
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0
Committee
1
Mar 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to Local Government
upper
1 primary · 3 co-sponsors

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