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The past two weeks have been especially active across York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties, with important developments involving zoning, housing supply, development regulations, property taxes, infrastructure, impact fees, and long-range growth planning.

To help members quickly understand what has actually changed and what is still being considered, this combined update separates confirmed actions from proposals and upcoming decisions.

CONFIRMED ACTIONS

Chester County Holds County Millage Rates Steady for 2026

Chester County has confirmed that its county operations and debt-service millage rates will remain unchanged for the 2026 tax year.

The County announced September 17 that there were no substantial changes from the prior year. Officials noted that this continues a four-year trend of holding those particular county rates steady, following Chester County’s 2025 reassessment.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

Property taxes remain an important part of housing affordability and the overall cost of ownership.

A steady millage rate does not necessarily mean every property owner’s tax bill will remain the same. Assessed values, assessment classifications, exemptions, school district rates, municipal rates, and other factors can still influence the final amount.

For REALTORS®, this is a helpful reminder to avoid estimating future tax bills for clients and instead direct buyers and sellers to the appropriate local taxing authority for property-specific information.

Fort Mill Breaks Ground on New Operations Center

Fort Mill officially broke ground September 16 on a new 33-acre Operations Center for the Town’s Utilities and Public Works departments.

The facility will bring together approximately 85 employees and include administrative space, warehouses, vehicle and equipment storage, fleet maintenance facilities, and a fuel and wash depot. The Town says construction is underway and is expected to be completed within approximately 15 months.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

Infrastructure capacity is one of the most important components of responsible growth.

Water, sewer, stormwater, roads, sanitation, and public works all influence a community’s ability to support additional residents, businesses, and housing.

For REALTORS®, investments like this can affect long-term development patterns, property values, housing opportunities, and the ability of a growing community to maintain service levels.

Rock Hill Prepares for Major Charlotte Avenue Infrastructure Project

Rock Hill is preparing for a significant construction project along Charlotte Avenue, scheduled to begin in October.

The project will replace water and sewer lines from Cherry Road to Cedar Street and include Pennies for Progress repaving from Cherry Road to White Street. The City estimates construction could last 12 to 18 months or longer. A separate Wilson Street project will include utility upgrades, road widening, repaving, and digital signage intended to help motorists navigate train blockages.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

Major infrastructure improvements can support long-term growth and redevelopment, but construction can temporarily affect traffic, property access, businesses, showings, and nearby development activity.

Members working with clients in the Charlotte Avenue corridor should be aware of the project and encourage property owners or buyers with specific questions to follow City updates as construction begins.

PROPOSALS & ISSUES STILL MOVING THROUGH THE PROCESS

Lancaster County UDO Approaches Second Reading

Lancaster County’s proposed new Unified Development Ordinance remains one of the most significant local policy issues in the PRAR region.

The County’s published schedule identifies September 28 for second reading of the proposed UDO. The rewrite addresses a wide range of development issues, including zoning, housing types, subdivisions, planned developments, streets, open space, buffers, stormwater, parking, and other development standards.

The ordinance is not yet final.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

A UDO establishes many of the rules that determine:

  • What can be built
  • Where it can be built
  • Housing density and housing types
  • Development standards
  • Infrastructure requirements
  • Project timelines
  • Development costs
  • Private property rights

These rules can ultimately influence housing supply and affordability.

With Lancaster County also operating under an extended residential-development moratorium, the UDO process remains one of the most important local issues for REALTORS® to follow this fall.

Rock Hill: Proposed Impact Fee Changes Head to September 28 Public Hearing

Rock Hill City Council will hold a public hearing September 28 at 6:00 p.m. regarding proposed changes to the City’s Capital Improvements Plan and impact-fee program.

The proposals include increases to water, wastewater, and fire impact fees, along with a proposed new police impact fee. The City has published separate impact-fee studies for those services.

These are proposed changes and have not yet been adopted.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

Impact fees help communities fund infrastructure and public services associated with growth.

At the same time, development costs are one component of the overall cost of producing new housing and commercial property.

For REALTORS®, the important policy question is how communities fund needed infrastructure while remaining mindful of housing supply, affordability, and development feasibility.

PRAR will continue watching this issue as it moves through the public process.

Fort Mill Development Moratorium Nears September 30 Expiration

Fort Mill’s temporary moratorium on certain new residential and industrial development applications is scheduled to expire September 30 at 11:59 p.m., unless Town Council extends it.

The moratorium applies to certain new applications submitted after March 31, including:

  • Residential rezoning, annexation, and preliminary plat applications
  • Rezoning or annexation involving General Industrial or Limited Industrial districts
  • Certain development approvals in those industrial districts

Several categories of projects are exempt, including previously approved projects, commercial-only developments, and certain applications already in progress.

Fort Mill’s next regular Town Council meeting is scheduled for September 28, just two days before the current expiration date. The Town’s official agenda center confirms the September meeting schedule.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

The expiration—or extension—of a development moratorium can significantly affect property owners, developers, builders, and REALTORS® working with land.

Members should not assume a particular property is affected or exempt without verifying its status with the Town.

PRAR will be watching closely for any September 28 action that changes the current September 30 deadline.

Chester County: Multifamily Housing and Industrial Development Continue Through the Process

Chester County continues to consider several land-use matters involving both housing and industrial development.

Among the issues moving through County Council is a proposal to assign Multi-family Residential zoning to approximately 23 acres on Pinckney Road. The proposal has received a favorable recommendation from the Planning Commission but has not yet completed the full Council process.

Industrial rezonings are also moving through County review in several areas, reflecting the County’s continued economic-development activity.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

Multifamily zoning can create additional housing opportunities and housing choice, while industrial development can influence jobs, infrastructure, transportation, surrounding property uses, and demand for housing.

For REALTORS®, these decisions help provide an early indication of where future residential and employment growth may occur.

Chester County Data Center Workshop Set for September 28

Chester County will hold its first public Data Center Workshop on September 28 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The meeting is part of the County’s ongoing review of future data-center development following its temporary pause on new applications.

Why It Matters to REALTORS®

Data centers can involve major economic investment, but they may also create significant demands on electricity, water, infrastructure, transportation, and land.

The discussion also affects nearby property uses, development patterns, private property rights, and broader economic-development planning.

For REALTORS®, this is not simply a technology issue—it is a land-use and infrastructure issue.

The Bigger Picture: Growth, Infrastructure and Affordability Are Increasingly Connected

Looking across the past two weeks, one theme stands out:

Local governments are making decisions now that will shape how our region grows for years to come.

Lancaster County is rewriting its development regulations.

Rock Hill is evaluating how new development should contribute toward infrastructure and public-safety costs.

Fort Mill is investing in municipal infrastructure while deciding what happens when its temporary development pause ends.

Chester County is balancing new housing opportunities with industrial and economic-development growth.

These issues are interconnected.

Housing supply depends on zoning and infrastructure. Development regulations influence costs. Property taxes affect ownership expenses. Economic development creates demand for housing. And infrastructure determines where future development can realistically occur.

That is why REALTORS® have an important role in these conversations.

The Bottom Line for PRAR Members

Many of the most important decisions highlighted in this update are still being made.

That is why PRAR monitors local government before the final vote—not simply after a policy becomes law.

Our goal is to help members understand:

What has changed. What is being proposed. And why it matters to your business, your clients, and the communities you serve.

PRAR will continue monitoring York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties, with particular attention to:

  • Housing supply and affordability
  • Private property rights
  • Zoning and land use
  • Infrastructure and transportation
  • Property taxes
  • Development fees and costs
  • Economic development
  • Responsible regional growth

Real estate is local. Your REALTOR® Association is paying attention.

PRAR Local Government Watch is provided for general member awareness. Proposed ordinances, rezonings, fees, development applications, and meeting schedules may change throughout the public process. Members should verify property-specific zoning, taxation, permitting, and development requirements directly with the appropriate local jurisdiction.

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