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.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 14, 2026
Last action Jun 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Printer's No. PN1589
→
Printer's No. PN1760
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to clarify that new residential developments must comply with existing local zoning and planning rules, preventing the bypass of municipal regulations. Additionally, a new section was added to explicitly state that the new development types cannot override applicable zoning ordinances. Finally, the effective date was changed from immediate to a specific future date of June 2, 2026.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by adding compliance requirements, ensuring the new development types do not supersede existing local land use laws.
REQUIREMENT
Added a requirement that approved residential developments must comply with existing comprehensive plans, municipal land use regulations, and statewide planning goals.
Inserted a new section explicitly stating that the act does not authorize approval of residential development types if they violate applicable zoning ordinances or land use regulations.
TIMELINE
Changed the effective date of the act from immediate to June 2, 2026.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 2, 2026
How they voted
50–0
Passed
Total votes 50
Jun 2, 2026
D
Democratic23
100% Yea
R
Republican27
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
5
Committee
5
Amendments
1
Jun 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to Housing & Community Development
lower
Jun 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Jun 2, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (50-0)
senate
Jun 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amended on third consideration
upper
Jun 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
Jun 1, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
Apr 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Urban Affairs & Housing
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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