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.

Harrisburg Planning Commission (HPC) Agendas | Minutes

The Harrisburg Planning Commission is a body comprised of seven members appointed by City Council. They review Land Development Plan and Subdivision applications, zoning relief requests, and other proposals such as neighborhoods plans for conformance with the Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan. Meetings are generally held the first Wednesday of each month in the City Council Chambers (unless there is a conflict such as a holiday).

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

Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) Agendas

The Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board is a body comprised of three members (and an alternate) appointed by City Council. They review zoning relief requests and appeals of determinations from the Zoning Officer for conformance with the Zoning Code. Meetings are generally held the third Monday of each month in the City Council Chambers (unless there is a conflict such as a holiday).

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

* Please note that because the meetings are quasi-judicial, minutes are kept by court stenographers and not City staff (thus why they are not linked below), and transcripts can be obtained at cost by contacting the stenographic company.

Harrisburg Architectural Review Board (HARB) Agendas | Minutes

The Harrisburg Architectural Review Board is a body comprised of seven members appointed by City Council. They review exterior projects in the city’s Municipal Historic Districts for conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, the NPS Preservation Briefs, and the city’s Historic District Design Guidelines. Meetings are generally held the first Monday of each month in the City Council Chambers (unless there is a conflict such as a holiday).

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

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 

• For information on securing permits for work in the public right-of-way, see the Street-Sidewalk Cut Permit Request Form application and submit it to [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions