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Pennsylvania Statutes Title 73 Pa.C.S.A. Townships § 7701. Ordinances and resolutions

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Authority.--

(1) The board of commissioners shall pass ordinances in accordance with this chapter and the laws of this Commonwealth in which the powers of the township shall be exercised:

(i) as deemed beneficial to the township;  and

(ii) to provide for the enforcement of the powers of the township.

(2) The board of commissioners may amend or repeal existing ordinances by the passage of subsequent ordinances.

(b) Ordinances.--Every legislative act of the board of commissioners must be by ordinance.  A legislative act includes:

(1) Legislation doing any of the following:

(i) Exercising the police power of the township.

(ii) Regulating land use, development and subdivision.

(iii) Imposing building, plumbing, electrical, property maintenance, housing and similar standards.

(iv) Regulating the conduct of a person within the township and imposing a penalty for violation of the regulated conduct.

(2) Imposing an assessment on benefited property for public improvements under Chapter 63 (relating to assessments for public improvements).

(3) Increasing the rate of taxation from the previous fiscal year.

(c) Resolutions.--The board of commissioners shall pass resolutions in accordance with this chapter and the laws of this Commonwealth.  Resolutions may be passed for any purpose, including:

(1) Ceremonial or congratulatory expressions of the good will of the board of commissioners.

(2) Statements of public policy of the board of commissioners.

(3) Approval of formal agreements of the township.  This paragraph does not include agreements arising under an established purchasing system of the township.

(4) Approval, if required, of administrative regulations and bylaws arising under State statutes or township ordinances.

(5) Levying a tax at the same or a lower rate than the previous fiscal year.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 73 Pa.C.S.A. Townships § 7701. Ordinances and resolutions - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-73-pacsa-townships/pa-csa-sect-73-7701/

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