Zoning Ordinance & Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance Update
Updating two ordinances that impact over everyday lives, even if we don't realize it!
Review the final draft ordinances!
After months of community engagement, steering committee involvement, and staff review, the final draft Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance are available for public review! Anyone can review the ordinances using the links below.
Most Recent Versions as of 7/6/2026
Zoning Ordinance:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:9dfbe9af-3750-4fb2-95ff-c28772f3adaf
Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:92b6bbc4-0ba2-45f7-9273-b67fbb9a7ad5
Change Log to Summarize Changes as of 7/6/2026
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:992b4016-9c82-466d-95bd-f05459e209d3
Also presented for public review is the revised Zoning Map. This map outlines the different zoning districts in the city and works in tandem with the Zoning Ordinance. Use the slider to compare the existing map with the new proposed map!
Zoning Map:
https://baker.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/media/index.html?appid=215e5df0772848ec9af7b5246125e9fe
Notice of Public Review & Hearing
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Lock Haven, Clinton County, Pennsylvania, will hold a public hearing on July 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM, at City Hall, 20 E Church St, Lock Haven, PA 17745, to consider the adoption of a proposed comprehensive amendment and replacement of the City of Lock Haven Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO), enacted pursuant to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (53 P.S. §10101 et seq.).
The proposed ordinances repeal the existing Zoning Ordinance and SALDO and replace them in their entirety with a new Zoning Ordinance and SALDO. This legislation regulates land use, development standards, zoning districts, permitted and conditional uses, administration and enforcement provisions, and related matters within the City of Lock Haven. The proposed ordinance also includes an updated Official Zoning Map of the City of Lock Haven, which establishes zoning district classifications for all properties within the City.
A copy of the full text of the proposed ordinance and the proposed Official Zoning Map may be examined without charge at City Hall at 20 E Church St, Lock Haven, PA 17745, during regular business hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and on the City’s website at www.lockhavenpa.gov. A copy of the full ordinance is also on file at the Ross Library, 232 W Main St, Lock Haven, PA 17745. Copies may be obtained for a charge not greater than the cost thereof.
To provide public comment, you can
• Attend the public hearing to provide in-person testimony.
• Email Cyndi Walker, Director of Permits & Licensing, at cwalker@lockhavenpa.gov with your testimony. Emailed testimony will be accepted until the day of the public hearing.
• Send a letter to City Hall, 20 E Church St, Lock Haven, PA 17745, Attn: Zoning Office. Mailed testimony must be received by two business days before the public hearing.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The City of Lock Haven's Zoning Ordinance was last rewritten in 2008, and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) in 2003. While both have been amended since then, a complete overhaul is necessary to:
- Align local policies with state law (MPC)
- Implement strategies from the Destination Lock Haven plan
- Expand housing options, including ADUs and "missing middle" typologies
- Modernize definitions, processes, and design standards
- Create a more accessible, visual, and user-friendly code
- Support downtown revitalization and mixed-use development
- Ensure predictable outcomes for developers and residents alike
WHAT IS A ZONING ORDINANCE?
Zoning regulates how property owners can use their land. It breaks land into districts such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or mixed-use. It can also limit building heights, set guidelines for lot sizes and shapes, require parking, or set design guidelines for historic areas. A Zoning Ordinance is the full set of these regulations. It is administered and enforced by the City of Lock Haven's local government.
WHAT IS A SALDO?
SALDO stands for Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. It is the set of local rules that governs how land in Lock Haven can be divided, developed, or improved. Whether a property owner wants to split a single lot into two, build a new housing development, or create a commercial site, the SALDO provides the technicalregulations on how that process should happen and how the land needs to be developed. It includes standards for the design and construction of infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, stormwater systems, utilities, and open space. By setting clear expectations for how land should be developed, the SALDO helps ensure that growth is orderly, coordinated, and consistent with the community's long-term vision.
WHY IS ZONING IMPORTANT?
While zoning can be a tad technical, it is one of the most powerful tools Lock Haven can use to shape the landscape and buildings of the future. Because zoning is locally written and enforced, the City has a high level of control over what goes in it. By adjusting zoning, we can shape the built environment of Lock Haven to fit the vision from our Comprehensive Plan, Destination Lock Haven.
WHY IS THE SALDO IMPORTANT?
The SALDO plays a critical role in shaping the physical form and functionality of the City. It ensures that new development is thoughtfully designed, connected to public infrastructure, and aligned with Lock Haven's broader goals, such as improving walkability, preserving character, and supporting economic development. A modern and well-crafted SALDO provides clarity and predictability for developers, reduces conflicts during the approval process, and helps protect public health, safety, and quality of life. It also supports smarter growth by guiding how neighborhoods expand, how stormwater is managed, how development in floodplains should happen, and how public amenities are incorporated into new projects. A functional SALDO can help ensure that development benefits both current and future residents of Lock Haven.
PLANNING PROCESS
The planning process began in April 2025 and will extend over a 18-month period (April 2025 - August 2026). Each step includes targeted stakeholder engagement and draft reviews. An estimated project timeline is shown to the right.
WHAT IS THE BUDGET?
The total budget for the Zoning Ordinance and SALDO Update is $130,000. This funding has been secured from a mix of federal, state, and local sources. These include $65,000 in grant funds from the Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP) administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. $25,000 in grant funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the city, and $40,000 in local funds, contributed by the city via its General Fund.
Project Timeline
Project Management & Coordination
Steering Committee Meetings & Work Sessions
Zoning Due Diligence & Ordinance Audit
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why update the ordinances now?
A: The current documents are outdated and no longer meet community needs or
reflect best practices.
Q: Will this change my zoning?
A: Potentially. A revised zoning map and new district definitions are a part of this
process. Property owners will have access to map previews before adoption.
Q: How can I get involved?
A: Attend public meetings, participate in outreach and engagement events, or
contact us.
MEET THE CONSULTANT TEAM
Michael Baker International
Nick Fedorek, AICP, Project Manager
Kirsten Compitello, AICP: Zoning & SALDO Lead
Howard Blackson, CNU-A: Hybrid & Form-Based Code Specialist
Samantha McLean, AICP: Zoning Specialist
Stuart Group Consulting, LLC
Jeff Raykes, Public Engagement Lead
Alaina Pobok, Community Design & Communications Lead
Eric Goins, Community Mapping Technician
Ryan Countryman, Zoning and Land Use Planning Lead
Zoning Ordinance & SALDO Update - Important Dates
Adoption by Lock Haven City Council
Lock Haven City Council will consider adoption of the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance at their regular meeting on August3, 2026.
This meeting will be held at 7:00 PM at City Hall Council Chambers and is open to the public.