Pennsylvania House Bill 1037 allows municipalities to retain old setback standards when rebuilding demolished single or two-family homes

Original title: An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in subdivision and land development, further providing for contents of subdivision and land development ordinance.

Last action · April 8, 2025: Laid on the table, April 8, 2025Sponsors: Rich Irvin and 6 others

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What This Bill Proposed

Official description

An Act amending the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, in subdivision and land development, further providing for contents of subdivision and land development ordinance.

Why it matters

Property owners replacing older or damaged homes may be permitted to build under previous property-line distance rules rather than stricter modern zoning requirements, potentially preserving yard space or building footprints.

Background

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code governs zoning, subdivision, and land development ordinances across municipalities in Pennsylvania. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

building permit applicants

Building permit applicants are provided the setback standards of the replaced dwelling when constructing a qualifying replacement residential structure.

Directly affected

municipality

Municipalities gain the authority to permit replacement residential structures to be constructed using the setback standards of a demolished one-family or two-family dwelling.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does House Bill 1037 allow municipalities to do?

Municipalities may allow a new single-family or two-family residential structure that replaces a demolished dwelling to be built using the of the original building.

What condition must the new residential structure meet?

The new residential structure must conform substantially to the same manner and use as the replaced one-family or two-family dwelling.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Tabled in the House.

Procedural history

4 actions

Apr 8, 2025House
Laid on the table, April 8, 2025
Apr 8, 2025HouseIntroduced
First consideration, April 8, 2025
Apr 8, 2025HouseCommittee
Reported as committed, April 8, 2025
Mar 24, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, March 24, 2025

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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