Zoning Administration and Enforcement

Zoning in North Huntingdon is governed by the Zoning Ordinance #765, enacted in February, 1991 (this was an update to past Zoning Ordinances) and has been amended many times through the years. The Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map delineates districts and establishes regulations governing the use of placement, spacing, size of land and buildings. The purpose of zoning is to provide for a consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and protect the public health, safety and welfare.

In North Huntingdon, there are six general zoning districts, and several sub-districts. The general zoning districts are Residential (R), Commercial (C), Industrial (I), Planned Residential Development (PRD) , Planned Economic Development District (PEDD), and Open Space, Conservation and Recreation (O). There are 5 residential districts, and 3 business districts. Each district allows certain types of uses, require certain size of lots, and distances between structures and property lines, and also have requirements for such items as landscaping, parking, height, and lot coverage.

The Township has an Official Zoning Map at the Townhouse which designates these zoning districts, The map is available for inspection or purchase. The Zoning Ordinance is also available for sale or inspection. A Township Zoning Officer will assist you in identifying the zoning district for your property and describe the requirements for that district.

Property owners that wish to develop or expand property within the Township must meet the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. The zoning commission is a council-appointed quasi-judicial board that hears appeals from property owners who seek relief from the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. A Zoning Officer can inform you of the process of filing an appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board.

The Township will be adopting a new Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance in the Summer, 2000 that was developed in response to the newly adopted Township Comprehensive Plan.

Many building activities need a permit issued by the Planning and Zoning Office prior to beginning construction. Below is a list of building activities that require permit.

The following building activities DO NOT NEED a building permit, but may have to comply with applicable zoning regulations in terms of location and setbacks.

The Township has adopted BOCA and CABO codes in the enforcement of building activity. Commercial construction in the Township must also be approved by the Department of Labor and Industry of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and may also require site plan approval by the Municipal Council.

Required Inspections

Issuance and Inspection of On-Lot Sewage Systems

The Township is responsible for the administration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations on the placement and maintenance of on-lot sewage disposal systems..

If you are planning to either construct a residence or business, or subdivide property for future development, and the area is currently not serviced by sewer lines, you must gain approval for an on-lot system that meets DEP regulations. The Township Sewage Enforcement Officer will be glad to discuss the procedures in getting a permit, which includes soils evaluation, percolation testing and site visits.

Any repair of an existing on-lot sewage system must be permitted by a Sewage Enforcement Officer to certify compliance with DEP requirements.

Comprehensive Planning is an important ingredient of a community’s well being. It guides the growth and development of the community, addressing such important issues as housing, recreation and open space, transportation, public infrastructure and future land use patterns.

In North Huntingdon, the Comprehensive Planning process for a new plan is currently completed with the adoption of the Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan in March, 2000. This plan will help guide development and assist in land use decisions for the next decade, and is available at the Township Planning and Zoning Office. A summary of the overall land use and growth goals can be accessed through this link.

The Plan includes goals, objectives and strategies, but most importantly, it is a public process which envelops the vision of all residents of the community. During the process of developing a Comprehensive Plan the community was involved through many formal and informal meetings to gain input from the community.


Municipal Demographics and Mapping

The Department maintains all population data and information on the Township. This includes the United States Census Data, State Population Projections, and local data on building and permit activity. The Planning Department has recently been involved in assisting the Census Department toward assuring an accurate and complete population for the Township. This is essential as allocation of federal and state funds are based on the population of an area. Preliminary information on the Year 2000 Census is expected in early 2001.

The recently adopted Comprehensive Plan also includes a chapter on population trends and projections. The Year 2000 population estimate for the Township is 30,214, while the population is projected to increase to 36,286 by the year 2010 based upon a continuation of current trends.

The Township also monitors the issuance of permits for both residential and commercial development. This helps assess both growth trends and assists in assessing the fiscal impacts of development activity, both positive and negative. A chart showing new residential building activity in the Township over the last decade is available.