Riparian Buffer Protection Ordinances

A Legal Analysis of Riparian Buffer Ordinances in Pennsylvania

2006
Authors: A. Downing and Matthew Royer
Organizations/Sources: Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future
This memo analyzes the legal authority for municipalities to adopt riparian buffer ordinances and considers what municipalities must do to ensure such ordinances are legally valid and defensible.
Last Modified
Mar 29, 2013
Viewed
4475 times

Chapter 102 of the Pennsylvania Code "Erosion and Sediment Control"

2010
Organizations/Sources: The Pennsylvania Bulletin
Pennsylvania's Title 25 "Environmental Protection", Part I "Department of Environmental Protection", Subpart C "Protection of Natural Resources", Article II "Water Resources", Chapter 102 "Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management" contains riparian buffer requirements for EV and HQ streams. These provisions were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on August 21, 2010 [40 Pa.B. 4861].
Last Modified
Oct 01, 2015
Viewed
8593 times

EPA Model Riparian Buffer Ordinance Language

2011
Organizations/Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This excerpt from the EPA's website (as of 2011) provides model ordinance language to protect riparian buffers.
Last Modified
Feb 03, 2014
Viewed
4753 times

Guidebook for Riparian Corridor Conservation

Organizations/Sources: Montgomery County Planning Commission
Guide highlights the benefits of riparian corridors and outlines components of their conservation, including acquisition, land-use controls, and stewardship.
Last Modified
Apr 16, 2019
Viewed
1581 times

Kennett Township Natural Resource Protection Standards

Section of Kennett Township (Chester County) zoning ordinance that includes supplemental regulations for natural resources such as steep slopes, floodplains, wetlands, woodlands, and riparian buffers.
Last Modified
Feb 22, 2019
Viewed
2813 times

Model Ordinance: Forest Riparian Buffer

2006
Organizations/Sources: Chesapeake Bay Foundation
This model document, developed by CBF's Pennsylvania office, is intended to assist PA municipalities in adopting riparian buffer ordinances. The model reflects CBF's preferred vision of a local ordinance with comments, suggestions and options inserted throughout the document in italics.
Last Modified
Feb 03, 2014
Viewed
3952 times

Model Ordinance: Riparian Corridor Conservation District

Organizations/Sources: Montgomery County Planning Commission
An annotated model ordinance designed to protect riparian buffers and their associated water resources. It provides for two zones of protection.
Last Modified
Feb 03, 2014
Viewed
4888 times

Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development

These model ordinances provide examples for municipal governments to use as tools to incorporate sustainable land-use practices into their regulations.
Last Modified
Aug 20, 2018
Viewed
3895 times

Model Riparian Buffer Protection Overlay District: Proposed Regulation for Use in a Municipal Zoning Ordinance, 2nd Edition

2016
Pennsylvania municipalities may ensure the protection and restoration of riparian buffers with their land use regulations. Local governments can adapt the Model Riparian Buffer Protection Overlay District to their particular circumstances. The model is accompanied by a letter from attorney Fronefield Crawford, Jr. attesting to the model’s legal defensibility and reasonableness vis-à-vis private property rights.
Last Modified
Apr 26, 2018
Viewed
9992 times

National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas

2005
Organizations/Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
This guidance helps citizens and municipalities in urban areas protect bodies of water from polluted runoff that can result from everyday activities. These scientifically sound techniques are the best practices known today. The guidance will also help states to implement their nonpoint source control programs and municipalities to implement their Phase II Storm Water Permit Programs.
Last Modified
Apr 16, 2019
Viewed
1388 times

Protecting Stream and River Corridors: Creating Riparian Buffer Ordinances

2000
Organizations/Sources: University of Georgia
The purpose of this 68-page Public Policy Research Series paper is to support the efforts of local governments in Georgia that have made policy decisions to develop riparian buffer programs. It includes a model ordinance.
Last Modified
Oct 01, 2015
Viewed
4945 times

Reading Riparian Buffer Ordinance

2015
Ordinance establishes a riparian buffer overlay district in the City of Reading (PA).
Last Modified
May 24, 2019
Viewed
1373 times

Riparian and Wetland Buffers: Guide/Model Regulations

2011
Authors: John Laird, PLS
Organizations/Sources: Lehigh Valley Planning Commission
The LVPC encourages the restoration of riparian buffers on lands that border rivers and streams whether they are privately owned or owned by local government via non-regulatory and regulatory means. The guide links scientific findings to proposed regulations and illustrates various riparian buffer concepts. The model regulations are designed as a section in a zoning ordinance.
Last Modified
Apr 25, 2014
Viewed
3646 times

Riparian Buffer Conservation Zone Model Ordinance

2005
This New Jersey model ordinance for protecting riparian buffers includes sections on permitted and prohibited uses in buffer zones, performance standards, etc.
Last Modified
Feb 03, 2014
Viewed
3875 times

Riparian Buffer Protection via Local Regulation: A Guide and Model Ordinance for Pennsylvania Municipalities

2014
Riparian buffers - forested or otherwise vegetated lands bordering water bodies - deliver tremendous water quality and other public benefits. Pennsylvania municipalities may ensure the protection and restoration of riparian buffers with their land use regulations.
Last Modified
Apr 28, 2017
Viewed
5904 times

The Science Behind the Need for Riparian Buffer Protection

2014
Extensive scientific research documents that vegetated strips of land along waterways provide extensive water quality and other environmental and economic benefits.
Last Modified
Apr 28, 2017
Viewed
4862 times

York County Sustainable Landscaping Model Ordinance

2014
Authors: Mary Kline
Organizations/Sources: York County Planning Commission
The model landscaping regulations provided by the model, if adopted by municipalities, can help conserve and restore healthy soils, reduce the use of irrigation for landscapes, improve the quality of surface waters, reduce energy consumption, provide wildlife habitat, and protect and restore native plant communities. They can also assist in cleaning up impaired waters in both MS4 and non-MS4 municipalities.
Last Modified
Oct 06, 2022
Viewed
5162 times