Pennsylvania Senate Bill SR211

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/26
• Refer: 1/23/26
• Passed: 4/21/26

Caption

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the effectiveness and performance of the Municipalities Planning Code and its preparation for review and enforcement under the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Summary

Senate Resolution 211 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) and report on how well it is working, with particular attention to whether the code and its administration under the Department of Community and Economic Development remain effective and up to date. The resolution frames the MPC as a foundational state law governing local planning and zoning, while expressing concern that its processes may be outdated and inefficient. The required study is broad. It asks for analysis of the MPC’s effects on housing affordability, local economic development, municipal revenue, and the costs associated with zoning delays and appeals. It also requires review of the administrative and compliance burdens on municipalities and the Commonwealth, comparison with peer states, and identification of issues lawmakers should consider before undertaking a comprehensive update of the code. The amended resolution further expands the study to examine traditional zoning practices, their impacts on housing supply and community design, and incremental reforms such as allowing missing-middle housing, accessory dwelling units, mixed-use development, and streamlined approval processes.

Impact

Because SR211 is a resolution rather than a bill amending statute, it does not itself change the Municipalities Planning Code or other state laws. Its legal effect is to authorize and direct a legislative study, with a report due within 180 days, that could inform future legislation affecting zoning, land use, and municipal planning rules. The resolution could influence how the General Assembly approaches possible modernization of the MPC and related Department of Community and Economic Development oversight.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment appears supportive and reform-oriented. The resolution’s sponsors and the committee action suggest bipartisan interest in examining whether Pennsylvania’s planning and zoning framework is meeting current housing and development needs. The unanimous committee votes to amend and report the resolution, followed by strong Senate floor approval, indicate broad agreement on the value of a formal study.

Contention

There is little direct opposition reflected in the available voting history, but the resolution points to underlying policy debates that are likely to be contentious in any future legislation. Those debates include the balance between local control and state-level reform, the role of traditional single-family zoning, minimum lot sizes, density limits, and whether zoning changes should prioritize housing supply and affordability over preserving neighborhood character. The study’s inclusion of missing-middle housing, accessory dwelling units, and streamlined approvals suggests that some lawmakers favor modernization, while others may be more cautious about changes that could alter local land-use authority or community standards.