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Bureau of Planning

About Us

The objectives of the Bureau of Planning are as follows:

  • Promote and facilitate physical development plans.
  • Preserve and enhance districts of historical and architectural significance.
  • Collect, analyze, and distribute timely information on planning and community development issues.
  • Develop and apply the City’s Geographic Information System (GIS) to all areas of development including the identification of all pertinent physical attributes of a property (floodplain, historic district, and zoning).

Measurements and indicators used to evaluate progress include:

The number of development applications reviewed by the Harrisburg Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, and Historic Architectural Review Board, Environmental reviews and clearances for federally funded programs, Implementation of comprehensive and neighborhood plans; Research, monitoring, and promotion of plans for accessibility and fair housing, Technical assistance to businesses, consultants, and property owners on the plan review and permitting process.

Important Documents & Applications

Maps

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Harrisburg Planning Commission (HPC) Agendas | Minutes

Agendas and minutes for meetings not included on this webpage can be requested by contacting Planning Bureau staff.

2024
  • JAN 2024    Agenda | Minutes
  • FEB 2024    Agenda | Minutes
  • MAR 2024  Agenda | Minutes
  • APR 2024   Agenda | Minutes
  • MAY 2024  Agenda | Minutes
  • JUN 2024   Agenda | Minutes
  • JUL 2024    Agenda | Minutes
  • AUG 2024  Agenda | Minutes
  • SEP 2024    Agenda | Minutes
  • OCT 2024   Agenda | Minutes
  • NOV 2024  Agenda | Minutes
  • DEC 2024   NO MEETING
2023
2022
2021

Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) Agendas

Agendas for meetings not included on this webpage can be requested by contacting Planning Bureau staff. Because the meetings are quasi-judicial, minutes are kept by court stenographers and not City staff, and transcripts can be obtained at cost by contacting the stenographic company.

2024
  • JAN 2024    Agenda
  • FEB 2024    Agenda
  • MAR 2024  Agenda
  • APR 2024   Agenda
  • MAY 2024  Agenda
  • JUN 2024    Agenda
  • JUL 2024    Agenda
  • AUG 2024  Agenda
  • SEP 2024    Agenda
  • OCT 2024   Agenda
  • NOV 2024  Agenda
  • DEC 2024   NO MEETING
2023
2022
2021

Harrisburg Architectural Review Board (HARB) Agendas | Minutes

Agendas and minutes for meetings not included on this webpage can be requested by contacting Planning Bureau staff.

2024
  • JAN 2024     Agenda | Minutes
  • FEB 2024     NO MEETING
  • MAR 2024   Agenda | Minutes
  • APR 2024    Agenda | Minutes

  • MAY 2024   Agenda | Minutes
  • JUN 2024    Agenda | Minutes
  • JUL 2024     Agenda | Minutes
  • AUG 2024   Agenda | Minutes
  • SEP 2024    Agenda | Minutes
  • OCT 2024   Agenda | Minutes
  • NOV 2024  Agenda | Minutes
  • DEC 2024   NO MEETING
2023
2022
2021

Capital Region Water (CRW)

As an older city situated along the Susquehanna River, whose impervious surfaces drain into that body and smaller tributaries such as Paxton Creek, Asylum Run, and Spring Creek, managing new development and its related impacts on the quality and quantity of runoff is of critical importance. Capital Region Water (https://capitalregionwater.com/) is the City’s water, sewer, and stormwater management authority. They are also the permit holder for the Combined Sewer System (CSS) and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in Harrisburg.

While CRW has a primary role in reviewing new development in the city submitted through the Subdivision and/or Land Development Plan review process, they may also review other projects which do not trigger land development plan reviews, especially those which involve new impervious surfaces such as accessory parking areas. CRW should be consulted before beginning any such work.

Land Development & Stormwater Managment 

  • CRW encourages pre-application meetings when preliminary plans are available to discuss project designs and/or potential stormwater credits, and answer any questions engineers/owners might have.
  • Applicants can find requirements for all stormwater, Subdivision, and/or Land Development Plans for any amount of impervious surface added or removed, or modified earth disturbance in the Capital Region Water Wastewater and Stormwater Rules and Regulations on their website. Review Section 9.4 closely; Table 1 shows the required triggered stormwater management base on new and/or disturbed areas.
  • There is a $1,000 escrow fee, outlined in Section 9.11.C Fees and Expenses, an applicant is required to pay to defray application cost incurred by CRW. Applicant must apply for an “Application for Consideration of Stormwater Management Plan” for any stormwater management land development reviews.
  • CRW also recommends reviewing the Stormwater Fee section of their website to enhance the Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) above requirements for stormwater fee credit. The Stormwater Management Program Fee Credit Form has more information on SCM and credit percentages.

Utility Connections 

  • For information about tapping and connection fees, you can visit CRW’s Rates and Fees page. There are applications and associated fees under “New Water, Sewer, Fire, & Stormwater Connections Applications” for water, fire, sewer, and stormwater utility connections to CRW’s system.
  • For disconnections, a Service Termination Request form and associated fees can be submitted to CRW. Water disconnections need to occur at the corporation. Sewer disconnections must be cut and capped at least 1 to 2 feet from the main. You must contact their Customer Service at least 24 hours in advance for inspections.
  • For utility location and mapping, you may submit a PA One Call ticket, and CRW’s GIS team will contact you for the requested information.

Street Cut Permits 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my property's zoning and what am I permitted to do there?
Is my property in a historic district? What does that mean?
Is my property in a Special Flood Hazard Area?
Geoffrey Knight

Geoffrey Knight | Planning Director

Location

10 N. 2nd St, Suite 405

Harrisburg, PA 17101

Phone

717-255-6637

Email

Staff

Katherine Corini

Planner I

717-255-6635

[email protected]

 

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