Land Use & Zoning in Bucks County

Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code (53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.) governs land use and zoning throughout the Commonwealth. Each municipality in Bucks County adopts its own zoning ordinance, which controls how property can be used, what can be built, and where.

Common Zoning Issues

• Variance requests: When a property owner seeks permission to deviate from the zoning ordinance requirements (setbacks, lot coverage, use restrictions)
• Special exceptions/conditional uses: Uses that are permitted in a zone but require specific approval from the zoning hearing board or governing body
• Nonconforming uses: Properties that were legal before a zoning change but no longer conform — these are "grandfathered" with specific protections and limitations
• Subdivision and land development: Dividing land or developing property requires compliance with the municipality's subdivision and land development ordinance
• Zoning appeals: Decisions of the zoning hearing board can be appealed to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas within 30 days

Zoning Hearing Board Practice

Zoning hearing board proceedings are quasi-judicial — they follow rules of evidence (loosely), allow cross-examination of witnesses, and produce a written decision that can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. Having legal representation at a zoning hearing significantly improves outcomes, particularly for variance and special exception applications.