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.
Quakertown, PA
Quakertown Borough Ch. 10, Part 1 (General Nuisances) prohibits using property or operating business to cause noise that annoys residents or interferes with ...
Quakertown, PA
Quakertown Borough Ch. 10 prohibits construction, excavation, trenching, or heavy equipment operation on Sundays and legal holidays. On other days, construct...
Quakertown, PA
Quakertown Borough Ch. 10 (General Nuisances) prohibits keeping or harboring any dog, animal, or fowl that by frequent howling, barking, or other noise annoy...
Quakertown, PA
Quakertown Borough Ch. 15 Part 3 restricts size, weight, and type of vehicles on certain roads. All vehicles must be registered, inspected, and operable. Com...
Quakertown, PA
Quakertown Borough Ch. 27 zoning requires all vehicles to be registered, inspected, and operable or kept in enclosed buildings. No specific RV parking provis...
Quakertown, PA
Quakertown Borough Ch. 27 Part 6 requires off-street parking per Table 6.1. Single-family spaces: 10 ft wide x 20 ft deep via driveway, carport, or garage. A...
See how Quakertown's agricultural zoning protection rules stack up against other locations.
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