Lower Nazareth Township has adopted Zoning and Subdivision & Land Development Ordinances. It is the intent, purpose and scope of these Ordinances to protect and promote the safety, health and morals of the community. These Ordinances attempt to accomplish coordinated development and growth, provide for the general welfare of our constituents by guiding and protecting amenity, convenience, future governmental, economic, practical, and social and cultural facilities, as well as the improvement of governmental processes and functions. They also are tools to guide uses of land and structures, type and location of streets, public grounds and other facilities and to promote the preservation of the community’s natural and historic resources and prime agricultural land.

The Township has also adopted a joint municipal comprehensive plan with 9 other municipalities. The township comprehensive plan is generally consistent with the county comprehensive plan. The Township is currently in the process of updating their Zoning Ordinance. This effort is being undertaken in order to have the Zoning Ordinance better conform to the township’s comprehensive plan. All of the aforementioned Ordinances are consistent with the requirements of the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) which is developed by the State Legislature. The Lower Nazareth Township Planning & Zoning Office is responsible for the front line administration of the subdivision and land development process and the Zoning Ordinance. The staff works in concert with the Township Engineer, Solicitor, Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board and Township Manager in the endeavor of processing the numerous activities related to planning and zoning.

Subdivision and Land

Development Review

All subdivisions and land developments are reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Office to ensure compliance with both the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) and the Zoning Ordinance.

The Planning Commission is presented with most subdivision and or land development projects for their comments. The Planning Commission is a 5-Member Board appointed by the Board of Supervisors. Their primary function is to provide comments and recommendations regarding the various projects to the Board of Supervisors.

The Planning Commission meets predominately on the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Lower Nazareth Township Municipal Building. This date may vary depending on holiday conflicts. Please refer to the Township Calendar for actual dates.

Any forms or schedules may be obtained by on the Forms, Publications & Ordinances page. Please note – This information is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as all regulations that may apply. Discussion of your project with the Planning & Zoning Administrator prior to application is recommended. Review of the SALDO is also highly recommended.

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Example of the subdivision and land development process

Below is a brief summary of the subdivision and land development process. Please note – This information is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as all regulations that may apply.

1. All applications to the Lower Nazareth Planning Commission shall be made in writing on the Subdivision, Land Development & Zoning Site Plan Application form and shall be in accordance with the SALDO and Zoning Ordinance. The completed application, with all required fees, plans and supplemental information shall be submitted 28 days prior to the next scheduled Planning Commission meeting pursuant to Township Meeting Schedule.
2. The applicant should note that submission deadlines are strictly adhered to in order to allow township staff, board members, and consultants ample time to review the submitted application. Any plan submitted after a deadline will be rescheduled to the next regularly scheduled meeting.
3. All SALDO waivers must be made in writing on the application form. Waivers will not be entertained by the Board of Supervisors until reviewed by the Planning Commission.
4. An escrow account shall be established for plan review fees. Any funds remaining in this account at the culmination of the project may be refunded.
5. The Township Engineer and Zoning Administrator will report to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors regarding compliance with the SALDO and all Lower Nazareth Township Zoning Ordinances.
6. If the plan is recommended for approval by the Planning Commission, the plan may move on for review by the Board of Supervisors. Again, all applications shall be in accordance with the SALDO, Zoning Ordinance and Meeting Schedule.
7. A subdivision and land development is typically approved by resolution adopted by the Board of Supervisors. This resolution will contain the conditions that must be satisfied to record a plan, and ultimately begin construction.
8. Upon satisfaction of any conditions imposed by the Board of Supervisors, the plan may be submitted for recording. All plans presented for recording must:
   • be signed by the current owner of the property and notarized
   • have a notary seal or stamp that is legible
   • have the property address(es) clearly depicted on the plan
9. Once the plan is ready for recording, it can take up to a minimum of two weeks, depending on availability of signers and Northampton County plan recording requirements. All fees necessary to record the plan with Northampton County will derive from the developers established escrow account.
10. All outstanding fees and engineering and or legal invoices must be paid prior to recording of the final plan.
11. A pre-construction meeting is required prior to earthmoving/site construction. This pre-construction meeting is not held until the final plan has been recorded.
12. A Building Permit application may be submitted upon recording of the final plan.