Providing for special provisions relating to ordinances.
Impact
Should the bill pass, it will result in significant changes to local governance in terms of housing policy. Municipalities will be prohibited from enforcing any zoning regulations that are more restrictive for duplex, triplex, or quadplex housing than those applicable to single-family homes. This could lead to an increase in the availability of multi-family housing in areas where zoning has traditionally favored single-family units, potentially easing housing shortages and improving affordability in high-demand regions.
Summary
House Bill 2185 proposes amendments to Title 53 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes concerning municipal regulations, specifically targeting zoning ordinances related to duplex, triplex, and quadplex housing. The bill allows municipalities to treat these multi-family housing options similarly to single-family residences, thereby preventing municipalities from imposing more stringent regulations that could hinder the development of such housing types. It aims to streamline approval processes and reduce barriers for developers seeking to create multiple dwelling units within municipalities, addressing the growing demand for diverse housing options.
Contention
While supporters of HB 2185 argue that it facilitates affordable housing development and aligns with urban development trends, opponents may raise concerns about the implications for local control over land use and community character. Critics might argue that the bill undermines municipalities' ability to address unique local needs and dynamics in housing development, as well as concerns about infrastructure capacity and neighborhood density. The automatic approval timelines mandated by the bill may exacerbate tensions over community planning and zoning authority.
Further providing for title of act, for construction, for definitions and for deteriorated areas; providing for ordinance and resolution limitations; further providing for exemption schedule and for procedure for obtaining exemption; and providing for public registry.
In ordinances, further providing for publication; in council, further providing for publication of proposed ordinance; and, in county commissioners and chief clerks, further providing for ordinances and resolutions.
In general provisions regarding condominiums, further providing for applicability of local ordinances, regulations and building codes; in creation, alteration and termination of condominiums, further providing for creation of condominium; in general provisions regarding cooperatives, further providing for applicability of local ordinances, regulations and building codes; in creation, alteration and termination of cooperatives, further providing for creation of cooperative ownership; in general provisions regarding planned communities, further providing for applicability of local ordinances, regulations and building codes; and, in creation, alteration and termination of planned communities, further providing for creation of planned community.