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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.

Harrisburg Planning Commission (HPC) Agendas | Minutes

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

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.

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.

2023
2022
2021

Important Documents & Links

Zoning Code
Zoning Map Amendment
Variance & Special Exception
Comprehensive Plan
Certificate of Appropriateness
All Planning Documents

Maps

Zoning Map
Neighborhood Organizations
Dauphin County Parcel Viewer
Floodplain Viewer

Capital Region Water (CRW)

Stormwater Land Development Planning

Capital Region Water is the permit holder for the Combined Sewer System (CSS) and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in the City of Harrisburg. Please review Wastewater and Stormwater Rules and Regulations documents for requirements for all stormwater, subdivision, and/or Land Development Plans for any amount of impervious surface added, removed, or modified earth disturbance. Preapplication meetings are encouraged to discuss development plans, potential Stormwater Credit, and questions. As provided in Capital Region Water Wastewater and Stormwater Rules and Regulations documents, Section 9.11.C Fees and Expenses, the applicant is required to pay an escrow fund to defray application cost incurred by CRW. Applicant must apply for “Application for Consideration of Stormwater Management Plan” and a $1,000 Escrow Fee is due with Stormwater Land Development submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my property's zoning and what am I permitted to do there?

  • If your project is not permitted by-right within the zoning district in which the property is located, you may request relief from these regulations via: 2014 Zoning Code Special Exception; which should be applied for under the following circumstances:

    • specifically noted in the Section 7-305.7: Permitted Uses by Zoning District
    • for reduction or waivers of the off-street parking requirements

    Variance; which should be applied for under the following circumstances:

    • for relief from the Development Standards outlined in Chapter 7-307
    • for relief from the Signage regulations outlined in Chapter 7-325

    Variance and Special Exception Application Variance and Special Exception applications will be heard before both the Harrisburg Planning Commission (HPC) and Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB). Subdivision, Land Development, and/or Planned Residential Development applications will be heard before the Harrisburg Planning Commission (and subsequently by the City Council).

Is my property in a historic district? What does that mean?

  • The Municipal Historic District Map is available on the website. First, locate your property on the Historic District Map and determine whether you are within one of the City’s Historic Districts; the City and Harrisburg Architectural Review Board (HARB) only have purview over Municipal Historic Districts and not National Historic Districts. The City’s historic districts regulations are included in Chapter 7-317 of the Zoning Code. If so, please refer to the documentation under the link to the map for appropriate projects within the historic district; as a general rule, if the project will use in-kind replacements (meaning the material and the design is the same), then such projects can be administratively approved by the Planning Bureau. If not, then a Certificate of Appropriateness application (the application is on the website) must be filed, which is reviewed by HARB; HARB and/or City Council approval is required for the work to commence as proposed.

Is my property in a Special Flood Hazard Area?

  • Please view the Interactive Zoning Map to determine if your property is in a 100 year Floodplain. The City of Harrisburg participates in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) program, which “recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) standards. Besides the benefit of reduced insurance rates, CRS floodplain management activities enhance public safety, reduce damages to property and public infrastructure, avoid economic disruption and losses, reduce human suffering, and protect the environment.” Because the City participates in the CRS program, owners of property within the 100-Year Floodplain receive a 20% discount on their flood insurance. The City of Harrisburg requires documentation certified by a professional Engineer stating that the proposed project will not impact adjacent properties in the floodplain nor increase the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The Planning Bureau is currently developing an application for this purpose. Until such documentation is posted on the website, Applicants should submit a Floodplain Special Exception document; which involves filling out a Special Exception application and filling out the “Floodplain Special Exception” box under Application Type.

Geoffrey Knight

Geoffrey Knight | Planning Director

Location

10 N. 2nd St, Suite 405

Harrisburg, PA 17101

Phone

717-255-6637

Email

[email protected]

Staff

Katherine Corini

Planner I

[email protected]

 

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