Harrisburg City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 7
301 Title, Purpose, and Community Development Objectives
§ 7-301.1 Title.
This chapter shall be known as the "Zoning Code of the City of Harrisburg."
§ 7-301.2 Purpose.
A.
This Zoning Code is enacted for the following purposes:
(1)
To promote, protect, and facilitate the public health, safety, and general welfare;
(2)
To prevent overcrowding, blight, loss of health, life, or property from fire, flood, or other dangers;
(3)
To adopt a Zoning Map dividing the City of Harrisburg into zoning districts with varying regulations;
(4)
To permit, prohibit, regulate, and determine the uses of land, watercourses, and other bodies of water, the size, height, bulk, location, erection, construction, repair, expansion, razing, removal, and use of buildings and structures, as well as yards and other open areas to be left unoccupied;
(5)
To establish the maximum density and intensity of uses;
(6)
To provide for the protection of natural and historic features and resources;
(7)
To protect existing residential neighborhoods and to provide diverse housing opportunities, including housing that is affordable;
(8)
To establish regulations for signage and for off-street parking; and
(9)
To establish environmental performance standards.
§ 7-301.3 Applicability.
A.
The Zoning Code applies to the following activities within the City of Harrisburg:
B.
The Zoning Code shall not apply to any existing or proposed building or extension thereof, used or to be used by a public utility corporation, if upon petition of the corporation, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission shall, after a public hearing, decide that the present or proposed situation of the building in question is reasonably necessary for the convenience or welfare of the public. It shall be the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to ensure that both the corporation and the City of Harrisburg have notice of the hearing and are granted an opportunity to appear, present witnesses, cross-examine witnesses presented by the other parties, and otherwise exercise the rights of a party to the proceedings.
§ 7-301.4 Community development objectives.
A.
The Zoning Code is enacted to achieve the following community development objectives for the City of Harrisburg:
(1)
To protect and preserve existing neighborhoods while encouraging reinvestment and revitalization;
(2)
To increase opportunities for decent, safe, and affordable housing for renters and owners;
(3)
To protect and foster appropriate expansion of existing institutions including the State of Pennsylvania Capitol Complex, hospitals, public and private schools, universities, and other uses;
(4)
To increase the protection of historic resources, including historic neighborhoods and National Register properties;
(5)
To protect the Susquehanna River and prevent development practices which harm water quality;
(6)
To ensure that new development does not increase the potential for loss of life or property due to flooding;
(7)
To increase opportunities for open space and recreational opportunities, including the completion of the Capital Area Greenbelt, and to provide additional access to these amenities for all neighborhoods;
(8)
To encourage mixed-use development near the Harrisburg Transportation Center;
(9)
To encourage the use and expansion of alternative transportation modes, including commuter rail, bus rapid transit, and pedestrian and bicycle modes;
(10)
To encourage the redevelopment of vacant industrial parcels in the downtown and neighborhood areas; and
(11)
To implement the goals, policies, and strategies of the City of Harrisburg Comprehensive Plan.