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.
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg enforces citywide quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM under Harrisburg City Code Chapter 3-503. During these hours, sound audible at the property...
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg administers on-street parking under City Code Title 10 with day-to-day operations contracted to Park Harrisburg (SP+ Municipal Services). Resident...
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg caps residential fence height at 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards under Zoning Code Ch. 7-301. Corner lots are subject to a...
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg requires every dog in a public space to be leashed and under the control of a person physically able to restrain it, with a maximum leash length o...
Harrisburg, PA
Pennsylvania Act 43 of 2017 legalized consumer-grade (1.4G) fireworks statewide for adults 18+. Harrisburg uses its home rule authority and the 150-foot rule...
Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg requires owners to maintain grass and weeds on residential lots at or below 10 inches in height under Property Maintenance Code Ch. 5-301. Violati...
See how Harrisburg's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.