Environmental Rules in Allentown, PA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Allentown regulates land development, subdivision, and new impervious surfaces over 10,000 sq ft under Chapter 538, Stormwater Management. A drainage plan meeting BMP and water-quality standards must be filed with the Planning Bureau or building permit officer before work proceeds.
Allentown Stormwater Management: Drainage Plans
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code Sec. 538-5, 538-6 (Ord. No. 14476, adopted 4-19-2007)
The following activities are defined as regulated activities and shall be governed by this chapter: (1) Land development. (2) Subdivision. (3) Construction of new or additional impervious surfaces (driveways, parking lots, etc.)... Impervious cover. Any proposed regulated activity, except those defined in § 538-5B(5) and (6), which would create 10,000 square feet or less of additional imperviou...
Erosion Control
Any land development in Allentown that exceeds the code's disturbance thresholds needs an approved erosion and sediment control plan before earthmoving starts. The City requires the plan be designed by a registered professional, sets numeric standards for diversion terraces, sedimentation basins and stabilization, and can require a performance bond plus $100,000 liability insurance before issuing permits.
Allentown Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code § 355-9 (Land Development Controls)
The erosion and sedimentation control facilities set forth herein shall be appropriately incorporated into all earthmoving activities, unless the designer of the erosion and sedimentation control plan shows to the satisfaction of the City that alteration of these measures and facilities or inclusion of other measures and facilities will prevent accelerated erosion and sedimentation. A. Control ...
Flood Zones
Allentown requires a Floodplain Manager permit before any construction or development in an identified floodplain area. The city maps floodway, AE, A, AO and AH zones off FEMA's July 16, 2004 Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and floodway encroachments generally need a no-rise engineering study.
Allentown Floodplain Permit Required in Flood Zones
Significant RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code § 298-4 (Ch. 298, Flood Control, Ord. No. 15789, adopted 2-16-2022)
It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership, business or corporation to undertake, or cause to be undertaken, any construction or development anywhere within an identified floodplain area within the City of Allentown unless a permit has been obtained from the Floodplain Manager.
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Allentown's zoning code doesn't set a citywide idling limit for all vehicles, but every off-street loading space in the city must post signage banning engine idling beyond five minutes. Zoning Ordinance § 660-93.E requires that posting wherever a loading area is required under Chapter 660's loading standards, covering delivery trucks queued at commercial, industrial, or warehouse docks.
Allentown Loading Docks: No Idling Over 5 Minutes
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance § 660-93.E (Ord. No. 16166, adopted Oct. 15, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026)
Engine idling. All loading spaces must be posted with signs prohibiting engine idling for more than five minutes.
Flood Elevation Requirements
Allentown's flood code defines the regulatory flood elevation as the FEMA base flood elevation plus a 1.5-foot freeboard safety factor, applied to utilities and ductwork too. New or substantially improved residential structures in AE, A1-30 and AH zones must have their lowest floor built at or above that elevation.
Allentown Requires 1.5-Foot Freeboard Above Base Flood
Significant RestrictionsCity of Allentown Code § 298-9 (Ch. 298, Flood Control, definition of Regulatory Flood Elevation, Ord. No. 15789, adopted 2-16-2022)
REGULATORY FLOOD ELEVATION The base flood elevation (BFE) or estimated flood height as determined using simplified methods plus a freeboard safety factor of 1 1/2 feet. The freeboard safety factor also applies to utilities and ductwork.
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