Land Use & Zoning in Bucks County

Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code (53 P.S. § 10101 et seq.) governs land use and zoning in Bucks County. Each municipality in Bucks County adopts its own zoning ordinance, which controls how property can be used, what can be built, and where.

Common Zoning Issues

• Variance requests: When a property owner seeks permission to deviate from the zoning ordinance requirements (setbacks, lot coverage, use restrictions). See our Zoning Hearing Board guide for the full variance standard and hearing process.
• Special exceptions/conditional uses: Uses that are permitted in a zone but require specific approval from the zoning hearing board or governing body. Also covered in our Zoning Hearing Board guide.
• Nonconforming uses: Properties that were legal before a zoning change but no longer conform: these are "grandfathered" with specific protections and limitations. See our full guide to nonconforming uses and the prior lawful use doctrine for expansion limits, abandonment risk, and registration.
• Subdivision and land development: Dividing land or developing property requires compliance with the municipality's subdivision and land development ordinance
• Zoning appeals: Decisions of the zoning hearing board can be appealed to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas within 30 days

Zoning Hearing Board Practice

Zoning hearing board proceedings are quasi-judicial. They follow rules of evidence (loosely), allow cross-examination of witnesses, and produce a written decision that can be appealed to the Court of Common Pleas. Legal representation at a zoning hearing helps applicants present evidence and meet the applicable legal standards, particularly for variance and special exception applications. Our Zoning Hearing Board: Variances, Appeals guide walks through the application, notice, hearing, and appeal steps in detail.

Related Guides

• Zoning Hearing Board: Variances, Special Exceptions, and Appeals, the full process for seeking relief from a zoning ordinance
• Nonconforming Uses & Prior Lawful Use Protection, how "grandfathered" uses are protected, expanded, and lost

Legal and factual content on this page was last verified: Aug. 2026. If you are reading this significantly after that date, confirm key provisions with current statute text or contact our office.