See All Land Use

Whether you are a residential property owner who wants to build a home or are a commercial developer interested in building a shopping center, the process of land development in Pennsylvania can be time-consuming and expensive.

Agriculture is a critical industry in Pennsylvania, generating more than $7.7 billion in direct sales in 2017 from 59,000 farms and 7.7 million acres (USDA, 2019).

Agriculture is an important part of a local community; in that it contributes to our food supply and provides economic as well as environmental impacts.

From corn mazes to wedding barns, agritourism activities is an increasingly popular business opportunity for farmers. In fact, revenue from farm agritourism more than tripled between 2002 and 2017.

Land use regulations serve different purposes.

Gathering information on farming and finding land sources.

This session features special panel discussions from statewide and regional agricultural accountants, farmland preservation directors, lenders, realtors, new and beginning farmers, and more.

Understanding the rights of property ownership.

Selecting a target location for your land search based on your personal and business goals.

Key elements of a lease.

Discover how Pennsylvania Local Governments and Community Leaders Respond to Assist Communities in Crisis

The PA Municipalities Planning Code provides the foundation upon which local municipalities prepare and administer comprehensive plans and land use regulations. Such plans and regulations must include agricultural considerations.

Planning commissions in Pennsylvania assist in the drafting of a zoning ordinance and amendments and review of conditional use applications and curative amendments.

In Pennsylvania, private water systems (wells, springs, and cisterns) provide drinking water to nearly 3 million residents. However, Pennsylvania has no regulations to ensure that water from these sources is safe.

Nationwide and local trends in voter support for the protection of natural areas.

Land use is constantly changing and decisions regarding where and how these changes occur will be an ongoing necessity. Members of the public can play an important role in aiding the decision-making process.

This video assists citizen planners better understand their roles and responsibilities in serving on a local municipal planning commission.

This guide explores why food system issues are important and includes ideas for helping citizens and community organizations work with county and municipal planners on food system issues.

If you are a property owner in northern or southwestern Pennsylvania, you've probably heard the phrases "natural gas exploration," "Marcellus shale," or "gas lease."

Land development is bringing residential development into agricultural areas. New residents may have misconceptions about farms, and conflicts can arise between farm and nonfarm neighbors.

This article will help people living in or considering a move to the country understand the basics about how government and community services and utilities work in rural areas in Pennsylvania.

Learn practical knowledge and skills about forest trees, wildlife, and water, as well as forest ecology, management, and silviculture.

Learn about the expectations and impacts of being on a Citizen Planning Commission in your community.