Zoning
The Zoning Ordinance, Section 300 of the City Code, of the City of Lancaster has been enacted for the betterment of public health, safety and general welfare of City residents and visitors. The essential function of the Zoning Ordinance is to arrange uses (residence, night club, medical center, ammunitions manufacturer, etc.) based on how they complement or contrast with each other and then permit/restrict them accordingly (by Zoning District). See the City’s interactive Zoning Map here or download the PDF.
In addition to determining where a use is permitted, the Zoning Ordinance also establishes the required amount of parking for each use. Other regulations in the Zoning Ordinance include defining the minimum lot dimensions and sizes, maximum building heights, building and lot coverage, and required distances structures must be set back from the property boundary in each district.
As prescribed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, the Township Zoning Officer is the sole official responsible for enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance. Exceptions to regulations of the Zoning Ordinance can only be obtained by appealing to the Zoning Hearing Board. All applications must include the appropriate fees per the Zoning Fee Schedule. Meeting and submission dates can be found in the Zoning Hearing Board Schedule.
