Lower Paxton, PA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Chapter 108 of the Lower Paxton Township Code was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on 3-6-2012 by Ord. No. 11-02. Section 108-3 makes it unlawful to undertake any construction or development anywhere within the Township unless a permit has been obtained from the floodplain administrator, and § 108-7 names the Township Manager to that role. Minor repairs to existing buildings or structures need no permit.

The identified floodplain is every area classified as a special flood hazard area in the FEMA Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps dated August 2, 2012, or the most recent revision. Section 108-19 splits it into four areas: the floodway; the special floodplain area, Zones AE and A1-30; the approximate floodplain area, Zone A; and the shallow flooding area, Zones AO and AH, where depths run between one and three feet.

Before issuing a permit the administrator confirms that other state and federal permits are in hand, including those under the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, Clean Streams Act and Section 404 of the U.S. Clean Water Act. Applications need a site plan drawn at one inch to 100 feet or less. Applications for a special floodplain area also need engineer or architect certification that cumulative development will not raise the base flood elevation more than one foot. Applications go to the County Conservation District for review under § 108-11, and a fee set by Board of Supervisors resolution applies. A placard with the permit number must be displayed during construction. Work must start within 180 days of issuance and finish within 12 months, or the permit expires unless extended in writing.

Technical rules follow in §§ 108-23 to 108-25. New construction or substantial improvement in AE, A1-30 and AH zones needs the lowest floor, including basement, at or above the regulatory flood elevation. Accessory structures need not be elevated but are capped at 1,000 square feet of floor area. Fill must extend at least 15 feet beyond the building line. Operations holding more than 550 gallons of listed dangerous materials face added requirements.