Municipalities Planning Code

Under the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), any municipality that has zoning must also have a Zoning Hearing Board to provide citizens with relief from the Zoning Ordinance and the interpretations of the Zoning Officer.

Zoning

Staff answers citizen inquires about the Zoning Ordinance and permitted uses and activities within the various Zoning Districts. The department issues zoning permits for uses and construction activities and sign permits which are authorized by the Zoning Ordinance. Requests for variances, special exceptions, and appeals of the Zoning Officer’s Determination are processed through this department. Decisions on these matters are made by the Township’s Zoning Hearing Board. Conditional Use applications are processed through this department. Decisions on these matters are made by the Township's Board of Supervisors.

South Middleton Township Zoning Map

Look up your property on Cumberland County’s Zoning District Search Tool

Submission of Conditional Use

Conditional use applications must be submitted to the Township by 4:00 p.m. 14 days prior to the next Planning Commission meeting.

• A PDF of the conditional use application and supporting documentation must be emailed to nkaczor@smiddleton.com.  If the plans cannot be submitted by email, a flash drive or an online file hosting service should be used instead.

• A hard copy of the application, all supporting documentation, and ten (10) copies of the plan set should be submitted to the Township along with the application fee and escrow fee.

Registration of Non-Conforming Uses

The Zoning / Codes Department is registering non-conforming uses within the Township. If any property owner believes the current use of his property is not in compliance with the current zoning district in which the property is situated, but had existed prior to the adoption of the new zoning ordinance on December 14, 1999, the property should be registered at the Township.

This registration will help to create a record to insure grandfathered protection to those uses no longer in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. Please contact Tim Duerr, at 717-258-5324 with questions or directions on how to proceed.

Zoning Hearing Board

The Zoning Hearing Board consists of five members appointed by the Board of Supervisors. All members are Township residents and serve a five year term. The Board is assisted by a Solicitor who provides legal counsel. By Pennsylvania statute, the Solicitor is chosen by the Zoning Hearing Board, but his compensation is set and paid by the Board of Supervisors. Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month and are held at the Township Building. Members are paid a fee for each meeting attended.

Hearings

The Zoning Hearing Board's purpose is to hear appeals of the Zoning Officer's decision by interpreting the ordinance and granting relief from the literal enforcement of that ordinance in certain hardship situations. Also, it decides on the applications for variances, home occupations and special exceptions. The Board schedules hearings on applications of requested appeals. It hears the evidence presented and renders decisions which contain findings of fact and conclusion of the law. Legal notices of proposed meetings are listed in the legal section of the local newspaper. Copies are also sent to the applicant and notice is posted at the proposed site.