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HB 2651

An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in comprehensive plan, further providing for preparation of comprehensive plan; in subdivision and land development, further providing for contents of subdivision and land development ordinance; in zoning, further providing for ordinance provisions; and providing for renewable energy siting standards.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tina Marie Davis and 4 co-sponsors

HB 2651 updates Pennsylvania's planning code to better integrate renewable energy siting with comprehensive planning, zoning, and land development standards.

Referred to Local Government
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2651

Overview

HB 2651 (Pennsylvania, 2025-2026) proposes amendments to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC). The bill modifies general provisions, comprehensive planning, subdivision and land development standards, zoning ordinance provisions, and adds provisions governing renewable energy siting. It has five named co-sponsors: Mandy Steele, Tarik Khan, Ben Sanchez, Bob Merski, and Tina Marie Davis.

Purpose and Intent

  • Modernize and harmonize planning and land use authorities across municipalities.
  • Update requirements related to comprehensive planning and subdivision/land development to reflect contemporary needs, including renewable energy siting.
  • Provide clearer standards for zoning provisions and renewable energy siting to guide development decisions while balancing community goals.

Key Provisions and Changes

General Provisions (definitions and framework)

  • Revisions to definitions within the MPC to reflect current planning concepts and technologies.
  • Potential updates to terms used in comprehensive planning, zoning, and development review to align with energy and sustainability considerations.

Comprehensive Plan (preparation and content)

  • Revisions to requirements for preparing, adopting, and amending a municipality’s comprehensive plan.
  • Possible enhancements to include climate resilience, energy considerations, and long-term land use goals.
  • Emphasis on coordinating land use with regional planning and state policies (as applicable).

Subdivision and Land Development (contents of ordinances)

  • Updates to the contents and requirements of subdivision and land development ordinances (SALDO).
  • May introduce or modify standards related to infrastructure adequacy, environmental protection, and compatibility with the comprehensive plan.
  • Potential alignment of SALDO with renewable energy siting considerations and more explicit review criteria for projects.

Zoning (ordinance provisions)

  • Revisions to zoning ordinance provisions, including possible incorporation of new standards for energy production, storage, and siting.
  • May enhance the ability of municipalities to regulate land uses in a way that supports orderly development and energy goals while safeguarding community interests.

Renewable Energy Siting Standards (new or expanded)

  • Establishes or expands standards for siting renewable energy facilities (e.g., solar, wind, or other technologies) within municipalities.
  • Likely aims to balance clean energy objectives with local land use, environmental, aesthetic, and public safety considerations.
  • Could include application requirements, siting criteria, setback requirements, noise and visual impact considerations, decommissioning, and ongoing monitoring.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Municipalities: Home rule municipalities, townships, and boroughs implementing the MPC would adjust planning, SALDO, zoning, and energy siting practices.
  • Developers and property owners: Entities proposing development or renewable energy projects would be subject to updated standards, review processes, and potential permit conditions.
  • Local residents and communities: Changes to comprehensive plans, SALDO, and zoning may influence land use patterns, energy projects, environmental protections, and public safety considerations.
  • Local planning and zoning officials: Planning commissions, elected officials, and code enforcement agencies would implement new standards and processes.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill outlines amendments to existing MPC provisions, indicating phased or integrated changes to planning and development processes.
  • It likely maintains standard municipal adoption and amendment procedures for comprehensive plans, SALDO, and zoning ordinances, including public hearings and statutory timelines (as currently required by the MPC).
  • Renewable energy siting provisions could introduce new application timelines, review criteria, and potentially interim measures during permit review.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • More explicit alignment between land use planning and renewable energy deployment.
  • Enhanced ability for municipalities to regulate renewable energy siting in a manner consistent with local plans.
  • Possible increases in regulatory clarity for developers and municipalities, reducing ambiguity in project approvals.
  • Implications for municipal capacity to update plans and ordinances to reflect evolving energy and environmental considerations.
  • Balance between promoting clean energy and protecting local concerns such as aesthetics, wildlife, noise, and safety.

Summary

HB 2651 broadens and updates the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code across five functional areas to better address contemporary planning needs and renewable energy siting. It aims to provide clearer, more integrated standards for comprehensive planning, subdivision and land development, zoning, and energy project siting, with direct effects on municipalities, developers, and local communities. The bill’s sponsors emphasize modernization and alignment with energy goals while safeguarding local interests through updated review criteria and process requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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