Lower Paxton, PA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

Intensity in the Towne Centre (TC) District of Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, is measured by floor area ratio. Section 203-309(D)(10) sets the maximum FAR with no bonus at 1.5 and a separate maximum with the bonuses described in subsection F. Subsection F prints four bonuses one after another. TC developments with at least 15% of the development's commercial building floor area providing experiential commerce receive a FAR bonus of 0.5. Developments that contain a regional attraction receive a FAR bonus of one. Developments that construct a structured parking facility containing parking for 100 or more vehicles receive a FAR bonus of 1.25. Developments with 80% green buildings receive a FAR bonus of 0.5.

Green buildings are defined two ways: buildings that meet the silver or higher designation in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program, as determined by the Green Building Certification Institute, or buildings that meet any national, generally accepted certification equivalent to LEED silver or higher. The code does not define experiential commerce or regional attraction in the text of § 203-309, and subsection F prints no separate cap among the four bonuses.

Other TC limits still apply. Maximum building height is 125 feet or 10 stories, whichever is less. Maximum impervious coverage is 85%, unless the development is a redevelopment of an existing tract, in which case the maximum is no greater than exists pre-development. Usable open space and plaza uses must comprise at least 5% of the net tract area of all TC developments, and every TC property needs an overall master plan approved by the Board of Supervisors after review by the Planning Commission. Elsewhere, the R-1 row of Table 2 in § 203-305 points to the overlays in §§ 203-405 and 203-406, which it says can allow smaller minimum lot sizes, smaller lot widths, greater varieties in housing types and density bonuses. The Neighborhood Design Overlay District in § 203-308 caps density at five units per buildable acre.