Zoning and Land Use

Myerstown Borough Zoning Ordinance
Land use in Myerstown is regulated by its zoning ordinance.  Zoning ordinances divide municipalities into residential, commercial, and industrial districts (or zones), that are generally separate from one another, with the property use within each district being reasonably uniform.  Within specific zoning districts there are additional restrictions that can be quite detailed, including specific requirements as to the type of buildings allowed, location of utility lines, restrictions on accessory buildings, building setbacks from the streets and other boundaries, restrictions on signage, and the size and height of buildings.  Every property in the Borough is located within a zoning district, as can be seen on its official zoning map.  It is important to verify which zoning regulations apply to your property or proposed location before changing the land use or doing any construction.

Myerstown Borough Zoning Ordinance (online code)

Myerstown Borough Zoning Map (pdf)

Zoning Permit
Before you start your business activities or occupy a building in Myerstown, you must have a certificate of zoning compliance (zoning permit) from the Borough’s Zoning Officer stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to the Borough's Zoning Ordinance.   Zoning Permit Applications, along with a list of requirements, can be obtained at the link below or at the Borough Office at 101 South Railroad Street.  All applications must be fully completed and submitted, with payment, to the Borough Office.  Zoning applications can be found at the Borough's Forms & Applications page (link below).

Myerstown Borough Forms & Applications

Zoning Officer
In Myerstown Borough, the Zoning Ordinance is administered and enforced by the Borough's appointed Zoning Officer, John C. Neely.  All zoning permit applications should be submitted to the Myerstown Borough Office at 101 South Railroad St.

John C. Neely
Code Official
ICC No. 8709390
Department of Property Maintenance Inspection
Myerstown Borough
101 South Railroad St.
Myerstown, PA 17067
(717) 866-5038 x105
neely@myerstownpa.org


Do I Need a Zoning Permit?
A zoning permit is required to be issued prior to the start of any of the following activities:
  • Erection, construction, movement, placement or extension of a structure, building or sign, including but not limited to a fence or wall that is more than 3 feet in total height
  • Change in the type of use of a structure or land, or expansion of a use
  • Creation of a lot or alteration of lot lines
  • Creation of a new use
  • Demolition of a principal building, or partial demolition of the exterior of a principal building, if that building is regulated under the Historical Building chapter of the Zoning Ordinance
  • Site Alterations or Mineral Extraction as defined by Zoning Ordinance
  • Construction of a motor vehicle driveway, parking pad or parking lot
Both principal and accessory uses and structures need a zoning permit.

Purposes and Community Development Objectives
The Myerstown Borough Zoning Ordinance was adopted in accordance with the requirements and purposes of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to carry out the following major community development objectives:
  • To serve the goals and objectives of the Myerstown Mini-Comprehensive Plan and the goals of the Lebanon County Comprehensive Plan.
  • To conserve environmentally sensitive lands.
  • To promote traditional styles of development and strong neighborhoods.
  • To provide compatibility between various types of and uses, and encourage compatible mixes of uses.
  • To provide for a variety of residential densities and housing types.
  • To direct industrial development and intensive commercial development to locations that will minimize conflicts with homes.
  • To promote new business development in appropriate areas that will provide additional tax revenue and job opportunities.
  • To promote pedestrian-friendly and bicycle-friendly patterns of development.
Zoning Districts
The Borough of Myerstown is divided into Zoning Districts of different types to carry out the objectives of the Ordinance.  Each parcel of land and every structure in the Borough, except as otherwise provided by law or by this Ordinance, is subject to the regulations specified for the District in which it is located.  The Zoning District boundaries can be viewed on the Official Zoning Map.

The Borough is divided into the following Zoning Districts that serve the following purposes, in addition to the overall purposes of the Ordinance:
  • LDR Low Density Residential District (LDR) – To provide for and to protect the integrity of low density residential neighborhoods that are primarily comprised of single family detached and semidetached dwellings.
  • Old Town Residential District (OT) – To provide for medium density neighborhoods with a mix of housing types, in a manner that respects and continues traditional forms of development.
  • Traditional Mixed Neighborhood District (TMN) – To provide for a mix of housing types and selected types of less intensive types of commercial uses in areas that include many existing homes.  The intent is to avoid uses that are most likely to generate nuisances or hazards for nearby residents, such as 24 hour operations.
  • Town Center District (TC) – To provide for an orderly coordinated development of varied commercial business, arts, cultural, institutional and residential development in the downtown. To promote pedestrian-friendly uses, as opposed to uses that are auto dependent.
  • General Business District (GB) – To provide for a wide variety of commercial uses, including more intensive commercial uses, in areas that include fewer existing homes. To manage traffic to avoid congestion and safety hazards, particularly in regards to access to major streets.
  • Light Industrial District (LI) – To provide for a variety of industrial development, while not allowing for heavy industrial uses that are likely to result in hazards or nuisances.
  • General Industrial District (GI) – To provide suitable areas for a wide variety of industrial uses and selected commercial uses, including intensive uses that must be allowed under State law.
  • Conservation District (CN) - To allow for only very low-intensity development in areas of sensitive natural features. Many of these areas are public parks or are within the 100 Year Floodway, which are areas that are most vulnerable to severe flooding.
  • Community Facility (CF) – To provide for larger public and semi-public uses, cemeteries, and housing for older persons.