Administration/Commission:
Q - What is the Mission Statement of the York County Planning Commission?
A - It is the mission of the York County Planning Commission to formulate, advocate, and implement a vision of the future development of York County which reflects a concern for its physical, social, economic and institutional environments, and seeks to enhance the quality of life in the County.
Q - What are the basic goals of the YCPC?
A - To prepare, maintain, and update a Comprehensive Plan for York County; to foster productive working relationships with the 72 municipal jurisdictions with the County; to foster productive working relationships with other public and private institutions in the County as well as State and Federal agencies; and to engage in public education activities.
Q - How is the YCPC organized?
A - The YCPC was originally created in 1959 through provisions in the County Code. The Commission consists of nine members appointed by the County Commissioners, and is served by a Director, an Assistant Director, and 44 staff persons within seven divisions. These divisions include Community Development Planing, Information Systems, Fiscal Office, Municipal/Current Planning, County/Long Range Planning, Transportation Planning, and Support Staff.
Q - Who serves on the Planning Commission?
A - The Planning Commission is represented by seven planning regions throughout the County. There is one appointed representative from each of the planning regions as well as two at-large members, for a total membership of nine. Each member serves a four year term. The Planning Commission meets on the first Tuesday of every month.
Q - What are the primary functions of the YCPC?
A - In addition to preparing and maintaining a county-wide Comprehensive Plan, the YCPC also reviews and makes recommendations to municipalities on proposed ordinance amendments, as well as all subdivision and land development plans. Technical assistance is also provided to municipalities for planning-related activities and plan and ordinance preparation. With the consent of the County Commissioners, the Planning Commission administers federal and state housing and community development programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the HOME program, and the weatherization program. Similarly, the YCPC administers the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Program.
Q - What is the Local Government Advisory Committee?
A - The LGAC is a committee of elected and appointed officials from municipalities throughout the county which meet monthly to review and make recommendations to the York County Planning Commission on planning projects scheduled to come before the Commission each month. The executive committee, which reviews projects, meets the last Wednesday of each month, and includes an elected chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary. The LGAC also typically plans several dinner meetings throughout the year, with a presentation following the meal on a topic of current interest to municipal government.
Community Development/Housing Services:
Q - ?
A - .
County/Long Range Planning:
Q - I have water running through my yard when it rains. Who do I contact for help?
A - Your township or borough office. See map of County and links here.
Q - Where can I find information about threatened and endangered plants and animals?
A In the Natural Areas Inventory component of the York County Comprehensive Plan.
Q - What is the County's population?
A - The US Census Bureau issues population estimates annually. We can provide an actual number from the 2010 Census. The population
of York County is 434,972. For a complete York County fact sheet, please follow click here.
Q - When will updated Census information at the tract, block and group level be available?
A - It will be available in 2013. County, State and National information is available through
the American Community Survey (ACS). The 2005-2009 ACS Five-Year Estimates are based on data collected between January 2005 and December 2009.
Information Systems/GIS Division:
Q - Is there an online mapping application available?
A - Yes, visit the following websites to see available web mapping applications: www.yorkgis.org and www.myregisonline.com.
Q - How do I request GIS data and maps?
A - Visit the following website: www.yorkgis.org and select the GIS Data and Maps link on the left. This page contains map and data pricing links, request forms and a license agreement. If you are interested in acquiring data, a license agreement needs to either be on file or a new one needs to be filled out and sent along with the request. If you know what maps or data you will need, please call our office at 717-771-9870 to figure out the cost of each product including tax and shipping.
Q - What kind of GIS/Mapping data does York County have?
A - Visit the following site, www.yorkgis.org/GIS_data_pricing.pdf, to determine mapping available. We also have a variety of Aerial Photography from the following *years:
1938, 1955/56, 1962, 1971, 1974, 1987/88, 1993, 2003, 2008
*Some years do not cover the entire county.
Q - Where would I find subdivision and building permit information?
A - This information is available on our website:
- Building Permit Data
- Subdivision Data
Q - What are some of the organizations that you work with to coordinate GIS activities?
A - York County GIS Advisory Council - Meets every two months to coordinate GIS activities within York County. County staff representing nine departments participate in the council.
- County GIS Professionals of Pennsylvania - Meets quarterly to guide geospatial activities within the state, comment on related legislation, coordinate training, and share best practices and ideas with other counties.
- South-Central Counter Terrorism Task Force GIS Sub-committee - Meets on a monthly basis to coordinate GIS activities within the eight counties in the south central region of PA. This group shares GIS resources and work to resolve data compatibility issues. More information can be found by clicking here.
- Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor Consortium - Meets on a monthly basis to develop a regional web mapping application to help manage growth due to the BRAC effort around Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The regional web mapping application includes data/maps from three counties in PA, three counties and the City of Baltimore in MD, and one county in DE.
Municipal/Current Planning:
Q - What will the review fee be for my subdivision plan?
A - Please refer to the Fee Schedule.
Q - Will the Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan for my municipality fix existing stormwater and flooding problems?
A - No. Although an Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan identifies problem areas, the Plan does not provide construction or repairs related to stormwater runoff or flooding. An Act 167 Plan is a comprehensive watershed-wide study that, after adoption, requires stormwater management regulations at the municipal level which apply to new proposed development.
Q - What is the zoning of my property?
A - The zoning classification of your property is shown on the municipal zoning map contained in the zoning ordinance of the municipality in which your property is located. In some instances a property may be located in more than one zoning district and/or more than one municipality. The YCPC staff, and your local municipal staff, can assist you in determining the zoning classification of your property and the basic regulations which apply. Detailed questions about zoning permits and applications should be addressed to the zoning officer at your municipal office.
Q - Is my house in a flood plain?
A - The YCPC staff, and your local municipal staff, can assist you in determining your property’s location relative to a flood plain. The YCPC has copies of the latest (September 25, 2009) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as does your municipal office. The FIRMs indicate flood plain boundaries, elevations, and the location of existing structures. For specific questions about building permits and flood plain regulations, you should contact the code enforcement officer at your municipal office.
Q - Do I have to purchase flood insurance?
A - Purchasing flood insurance is an individual property owner’s decision, unless the lending institution which holds, or will hold, the mortgage for the property requires flood insurance. Flood insurance will almost certainly be required by your lender if the buildings on your property are determined to be in the 100-year flood plain according to FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps. If you own your property outright, and do not have flood insurance, you will be responsible for any flood-related damages which occur as such damages are not typically covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy.
Q - Can I keep animals on my property?
A - Perhaps, depending on the type and number of animals you wish to keep. The YCPC staff can provide information and suggestions based on zoning regulations. For questions about specific applications and permits, you should contact the municipal zoning officer. Municipal zoning ordinances often specify the type and number of animals which may be kept on a property. Regulations vary depending on the property’s zoning classification, whether the animals would be considered pets or livestock, and if the animals are kept for personal use. Other ordinances and State regulations may also apply.
Q - I am having a boundary dispute (disagreement about the location of a property line) with my neighbor. Can you resolve the dispute?
A - The YCPC staff cannot resolve the dispute, but can suggest information sources and provide some general assistance. The resolution of boundary disputes is the responsibility of the property owners involved. Determining a boundary’s location typically relies on deeds, existing surveys, and recorded subdivision plans. If documentary evidence is lacking, you and your neighbor could agree to share the cost of a new survey to reestablish the boundary by mutual consent, followed by necessary approvals and recording of documents. If no documents exist which establish the property line, and no mutual agreement is reached, litigation will be necessary to settle the dispute.
Q - I want to give ten (10) feet of my lot to my neighbor. Must I submit a subdivision plan?
A - Yes. The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (PA MPC) defines a subdivision to include the division or re-division of a parcel into two or more lots, as well as other divisions of land, including changes in existing lot lines. The PA MPC definition is the standard in municipal ordinances, regardless of the size or configuration of the lot(s) involved.
Q - The municipality in which my property lies has no subdivision and land development ordinance. Can I subdivide my property as I chose without filing a subdivision plan?
A - No. York County has adopted a County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The County Ordinance is in effect for the following Boroughs, which have not adopted individual municipal subdivision and land development ordinances: Delta,
Yoe, York Haven, and Yorkana.
Q - The municipal codes enforcement officer refuses to issue a permit for me to put an addition on my house because it would violate the zoning ordinance. Can I get a variance or special exception so I can expand the building anyway?
A - Perhaps. A variance request may be appropriate, and may be submitted to the municipal Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) when a zoning regulation inflicts unnecessary hardship. The ZHB may grant the variance if the ZHB finds all of the following apply: there are unique physical conditions that prevent the property from being developed according to zoning regulations, the variance is necessary for reasonable use of the property, the hardship was not self-created, the character of the neighborhood will not be changed, the use of adjacent property and the public welfare will not be adversely affected, and the variance permits the minimum relief from the regulation.
A special exception is probably not appropriate and/or does not apply in this instance, unless the use of the building is listed specifically as a special exception in the zoning ordinance. A special exception involves a specific use which is permitted in a particular zoning district, subject to certain standards and conditions. Applications for special exceptions are decided by the ZHB.
Transportation Planning:
Q - What regulatory signing studies can the YCPC complete?
A - Speed restrictions, stop or yield intersections, parking restrictions, school zone speed limits, one way streets, truck restriction, turn restrictions, removal of traffic hazards, traffic signal studies.
Q - Who can request a traffic and engineering study be completed?
A - A municipal official must contact YCPC to request a study on municipal letterhead.
Q - Does a municipality need to pay for a traffic and engineering study?
A - Beginning January 2010, a single study request is $250.00. Multiple study requests in a single letter, $250.00 for the first, $200.00 for each additional request.
Q - What is the Highway Occupancy Permit review awareness process?
A - PennDOT has agreed to not accept any minimum use (more than 57 cars/day) or higher HOP permit without the applicant providing verification that the YCPC has reviewed the application.
