From housing supply and development regulations to infrastructure, zoning and emerging growth pressures, local government decisions continue to shape the real estate market throughout York, Lancaster and Chester Counties.
This week, PRAR is highlighting the issues most relevant to REALTORS®, property owners and the clients we serve. To make it easier to follow what is actually happening, we have separated confirmed actions from proposals and discussions that are still moving through the public process.
CONFIRMED ACTIONS
Lancaster County Extends Residential Development Moratorium for 90 Days
Lancaster County has formally extended its residential development moratorium for an additional 90 days. The County's official 2026 ordinance records now list Ordinance 2026-2048 as extending the nine-month residential development moratorium for another 90-day period.
Lancaster County also continues to provide an online moratorium mapping tool that allows users to search by address or parcel number to determine whether a property falls within the affected area.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
This is especially important for members working with landowners, builders, developers and buyers considering property with development potential.
A moratorium can affect development timelines and expectations even when the underlying property remains available for sale. REALTORS® should avoid assuming whether a particular parcel is or is not affected and encourage clients to confirm current development eligibility directly with Lancaster County Planning.
The extension also comes as Lancaster County continues work on a major rewrite of its Unified Development Ordinance, making the next several months particularly important for the future of housing and development policy in the county.
Chester County's Data Center Pause Remains in Effect
Chester County continues its temporary pause on new data-center development applications while officials examine how these projects fit into the County's long-term land-use and economic-development strategy.
The County originally described the six-month pause as an opportunity to evaluate issues including infrastructure, utilities, environmental impacts and surrounding communities. Chester County had already adopted zoning regulations addressing issues such as water use, noise and setbacks before beginning the additional review.
The next public data-center workshop is now scheduled for September 28 at 6:00 p.m. after an August workshop was postponed.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Data centers can represent significant economic investment, but they also raise questions about infrastructure capacity, utilities, surrounding land uses, environmental impacts and long-term development patterns.
For REALTORS®, this discussion goes beyond one particular type of development. It is part of a broader conversation about balancing economic growth with property rights, infrastructure capacity and responsible land-use planning.
PRAR will continue following Chester County's review as the September workshop approaches.
PROPOSALS & ISSUES STILL MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS
Workforce Housing Study Moves Into the Spotlight Across the Region
One of the most important housing conversations taking place this week involves the Catawba Regional Council of Governments Workforce Housing Study.
Lancaster County and its municipalities scheduled a joint meeting for August 26 specifically to receive an overview and discuss the regional study. The participating governments include Lancaster County, the City of Lancaster, Heath Springs, Kershaw and Van Wyck. The agenda identifies the Workforce Housing Study as the primary substantive discussion item.
The regional conversation continues in Chester County on August 27, where the County has scheduled Catawba Regional Workforce Housing Study presentations from noon to 2:00 p.m.
The study grew out of a regional effort to better identify workforce-housing gaps and potential short- and long-term actions local governments may consider to address them.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Housing affordability is not simply about the price of a home. It is closely connected to housing supply, zoning, development costs, available housing types, infrastructure and whether the people who work in our communities can afford to live in them.
The findings of this study could help shape future conversations with local governments about zoning reform, workforce housing, development regulations and other approaches to increasing housing opportunities.
For REALTORS®, having reliable local data is particularly valuable. It allows housing-policy discussions to move beyond assumptions and toward solutions based on actual market conditions.
Lancaster County Continues Work Toward a New Unified Development Ordinance
Lancaster County's rewrite of its Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO, remains one of the most consequential land-use issues in the PRAR region.
The UDO governs many of the rules associated with development—including housing types, subdivision standards, density, roads, open space, buffers, parking and other requirements.
County Council's August 24 agenda included continued discussion of the proposed UDO, while the previously published adoption schedule anticipated the ordinance moving toward formal County Council consideration in September and October.
Because the UDO is still moving through the public process, members should not assume that proposed provisions represent final County policy.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Development regulations can directly influence how much housing gets built, what types of housing are available and how expensive it is to bring new housing to market.
Small regulatory changes can sometimes have significant cumulative effects on housing affordability.
For that reason, PRAR will continue paying close attention to the UDO process and its potential impact on housing supply, housing choice, private property rights and responsible growth.
Lancaster County: $23 Million Roselyn Residential Improvement District Financing Under Consideration
Another significant Lancaster County item involves authorization of up to $23 million in assessment revenue bonds for the Roselyn Residential Improvement District.
The financing was among the major items before Lancaster County Council on August 24, along with development-related ordinances, road-acceptance standards and zoning matters.
Because official minutes confirming the August 24 Council actions were not available when this update was prepared, PRAR is treating the final status of these items as pending verification rather than reporting them as approved.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Improvement districts and infrastructure financing can help support roads, utilities and other improvements needed for new development.
For the real estate community, understanding how infrastructure is financed is important because those costs can ultimately influence development feasibility, assessments, housing prices and long-term obligations associated with property.
PRAR will update members once final Council action is confirmed.
Fort Mill: Mixed-Use Development, Hospital Expansion and Property Taxes Await Confirmation
Fort Mill Town Council met August 24 with several REALTOR®-relevant items on its agenda.
Among the scheduled actions were:
- Final consideration of the annexation of approximately 10.98 acres and rezoning from General Commercial to Mixed-Use.
- A fourth amendment to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority development agreement.
- Establishment of the Town's FY 2026-27 property-tax millage rate.
- Acceptance of streets within the Arden Mill neighborhood into the Town's municipal street-maintenance system.
As of this update, the Town's official agenda center shows the August 24 agenda but does not yet show approved minutes. PRAR therefore will not characterize these items as final until the Town's official record confirms the actions taken.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Each of these issues touches real estate differently.
Annexation and mixed-use zoning can affect future development patterns. A major healthcare development can influence employment, infrastructure and housing demand. Municipal millage directly affects property owners, while public acceptance of neighborhood streets changes responsibility for their long-term maintenance.
These are good examples of why REALTOR® advocacy includes much more than traditional housing legislation.
Lancaster County Transportation Decisions Are Also Worth Watching
The Lancaster County Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet August 27 at 6:00 p.m. Agenda items include updates on already funded and approved projects as well as discussion of road selection.
Why It Matters to REALTORS®
Transportation and housing are closely connected.
Road capacity, safety and accessibility can influence where development occurs, commute times, property desirability and future housing demand. As Lancaster County continues to experience growth, transportation investment will remain an important part of the overall housing and development conversation.
Why PRAR Is Watching
Many of the policies with the greatest long-term impact on real estate begin at the local level.
A zoning amendment may determine what housing can be built. A development standard may influence the cost of creating that housing. A transportation project can open new areas for investment. A tax or assessment can affect affordability. And decisions about infrastructure can influence growth for decades.
That is why PRAR continues monitoring local government activity throughout York, Lancaster and Chester Counties.
Our focus remains on issues affecting:
- Private property rights
- Housing supply and affordability
- Zoning and land-use policy
- Infrastructure and transportation
- Property taxes and development costs
- Economic development
- Responsible regional growth
The Bottom Line
Perhaps the biggest theme this week is housing.
Lancaster County is simultaneously navigating a residential development moratorium and a major rewrite of its development regulations. Meanwhile, communities across the region are beginning to examine new workforce-housing data that could help guide future policy decisions.
These conversations create an important opportunity for REALTORS®.
Our members understand the housing market from a perspective few others do. REALTORS® work directly with buyers who cannot find homes in their price range, sellers navigating changing market conditions, employers concerned about workforce housing, builders trying to meet demand and property owners whose rights can be affected by local regulations.
PRAR believes that perspective belongs at the table.
We will continue following these issues, providing accurate updates and advocating for policies that support private property rights, housing opportunities and strong communities throughout our three-county region.
Real estate is local. Your REALTOR® Association is paying attention.
Information in PRAR Local Government Watch is provided for general member awareness. Proposed ordinances, rezonings and development applications may change throughout the public process. Members should verify property-specific zoning, permitting, taxation and development requirements with the appropriate local jurisdiction.