Environmental

What is Pennsylvania's 'Act 167' (Stormwater Management Act) and how does it affect development?

Q: What is Pennsylvania's 'Act 167' (Stormwater Management Act) and how does it affect development?

Pennsylvania's Act 167 (Stormwater Management Act, 32 P.S. §680.1) requires each county to prepare a watershed stormwater management plan identifying runoff management strategies. Municipalities must implement ordinances consistent with the county plan for development activities. Act 167 plans require post-construction stormwater management (retention/detention) so new development doesn't increase peak runoff rates downstream. This significantly affects site design and the developable area of Pennsylvania parcels.

AA Pennsylvania law limiting stormwater utility rates charged by municipalities

BA law requiring counties to develop stormwater management plans and municipalities to implement regulations to manage runoff from new development✓ Correct

CA federal FEMA requirement adopted by Pennsylvania for flood insurance

DPADEP's permitting system for wastewater discharges to streams

Explanation

Pennsylvania's Act 167 (Stormwater Management Act, 32 P.S.

People Also Study

Key Terms to Know

Zoning

Local government regulations that control land use by dividing areas into zones specifying permitted uses, building sizes, and densities.

Variance

Official permission to use land in a way that does not conform to the applicable zoning ordinance, granted by a zoning board when strict enforcement would cause undue hardship.

Eminent Domain

The power of government to take private property for public use, with the requirement to pay the owner just compensation.

Adverse Possession

A doctrine by which a person can gain legal title to another's land by openly, continuously, and adversely occupying it for a statutory period.