Land Use & Zoning
What is an 'overlay district' in Pennsylvania zoning and how does it function?
AA district where zoning requirements are reduced to encourage affordable housing
BA special zoning layer applied over base zoning that adds requirements or permissions for specific geographic areas or land characteristics✓ Correct
CA transitional zone between residential and commercial districts
DA district where two municipalities share zoning jurisdiction
Explanation
An overlay district is a zoning layer applied over the base zoning, adding requirements or permissions for specific geographic areas with special characteristics — flood plains, historic areas, steep slopes, highway corridors, or transit-oriented development zones. For example, a historic district overlay may add design review requirements to properties already zoned residential. Pennsylvania municipalities use overlay districts to address unique characteristics without rezoning the entire base district.
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