The use of land in the City of Bethlehem is regulated.
Though much of the city is urbanized, vacant land or buildings to be removed, replaced, or substantially altered for a new use are required to be reviewed by the Bethlehem Planning Bureau and the Planning Commission, which administer the Subdivision and Land Development ordinance. Changes to the Zoning Ordinance and comprehensive planning are also administered by the Planning Bureau and Commission.
The Planning Commission holds a public meeting each month on the second Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in Town Hall. Architectural and engineering plans are required for review and are submitted to the Planning Bureau with a completed application form and the applicable filing fee.
Applications can be obtained by contacting the Bureau or downloaded below.
- Application for Building/Zoning Permit (DOC | PDF)
- Application for Historic Architectural Review Board and Historic Conservation Commission Certificate of Appropriateness
- Application for Land Development & Subdivision
- Application for Zoning Hearing Board Appeal
- Design Guidelines for Historic and Architectural Review Board
- Design Guidelines for South Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission
- Fee Schedule for Planning
- Land Development & Subdivision Site Plan Checklist (Excel | PDF)
- Required Site Plan Notes
- Requirements for As-Built Drawings
- Requirements for Landscape Plans
- Sign Guidelines - South Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission
- Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO)
- Zoning Ordinance
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