Lower Paxton, PA HOA Rules: Board Governance (2026)

Section 203-308 creates the Neighborhood Design Overlay District (NDD) in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, and it is the zoning chapter's main provision on association governance. Under subsection C(3), the ownership and maintenance of common open space is by a legally binding homeowners association, or by the lawful owner if no homeowners' association is yet created. Lower Paxton Township is not responsible for any expense associated with owning or maintaining that open space. Subsection C(2) requires that no neighborhood design community have less than 20% of gross buildable acreage as common open space, and C(4) says this open space requirement replaces any recreation land or fee requirements in the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance in Chapter 180.

Paperwork comes before recording. Subsection M(1) requires the applicant to submit a written statement of the proposed substance of deed restrictions or similar controls that would affect matters addressed in the zoning chapter. Subsection M(2) requires a draft set of homeowner association or condominium association provisions to be submitted for legal acceptance by the Township Solicitor before the final subdivision plan is recorded. The code also requires alleys in the district to be maintained by a legally binding homeowners association at no expense to the Township.

Chapter 203 defines a homeowners' association as an organization formed to manage the common open space and common facilities within a development plan that are not to be publicly owned and maintained, with membership in and financial support of the organization mandatory for all owners of private property in the plan. For stormwater, § 170-802 makes the applicable homeowners' association responsible for stormwater facilities until the Township or Authority accepts them for dedication, and the association must submit an annual maintenance and operation budget to the Township and Authority for approval.