Pennsylvania protects agricultural land through Agricultural Security Areas under Act 43 of 1981 and the Agricultural Area Security Law, working alongside municipal zoning to limit development pressure on working farms.
Pennsylvania's Agricultural Area Security Law (Act 43 of 1981, codified at 3 P.S. Section 901 et seq.) authorizes the creation of Agricultural Security Areas (ASAs) of 250 contiguous acres or more proposed by landowners and approved by the municipality. ASA designation triggers heightened protection from nuisance suits, eligibility for purchase of agricultural conservation easements through county and state programs, and limits on local ordinances that would unreasonably restrict farming. Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code requires townships to consider agriculture as a permitted land use in agricultural zoning districts, and the Act allows the Attorney General to challenge ordinances that conflict with these protections. ASA designation does not by itself preserve land in perpetuity, but it is the foundation for the state and county easement-purchase program.
Municipal ordinances inconsistent with the Agricultural Area Security Law may be challenged and invalidated by aggrieved landowners or the Attorney General.
Doylestown, PA
Doylestown Borough Ch. 10, Part 4 (Noise Control) sets daytime limit of 70 dBA (7 AM-8:59 PM) and nighttime limit of 60 dBA (9 PM-6:59 AM), measured at prope...
Doylestown, PA
Doylestown Borough construction noise must comply with Ch. 10, Part 4 dBA limits: 70 dBA daytime (7 AM-8:59 PM), 60 dBA nighttime (9 PM-6:59 AM). PA UCC (Act...
Doylestown, PA
Doylestown Borough Ch. 2 (Animals) and Ch. 10, Part 4 (Noise Control) regulate barking dogs. Dogs creating noise exceeding 70 dBA daytime or 60 dBA nighttime...
Doylestown, PA
Doylestown Borough regulates commercial vehicle parking through zoning (Ch. 27) and traffic code (Ch. 15). Loading/unloading zones designated per §309. Comme...
Doylestown, PA
Doylestown Borough zoning restricts outside storage of recreational vehicles, trailers, and boats in certain districts. Ch. 15 §310 prohibits parking vehicle...
Doylestown, PA
Doylestown Borough Ch. 27 zoning requires off-street parking per use type with dimensional standards. Driveways must meet setback and access requirements. St...
See how Doylestown's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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