Airport Planning and Zoning


As a Federal Block Grant Program participant, PennDOT's Bureau of Aviation Planning Section provides airport planning, programming, and environmental assessment support to general-aviation airports as part of federal and state airport improvement programs.

The bureau's airport planners play a vital role in the overall efficiency of Pennsylvania's airport system. Thoughtful planning contributes to airport preservation through fiscally responsible airport improvement and development with a focus on safety and standards adherence.

The planning section is responsible for many airport management components, including:


  • Statewide Airport System Plan

  • Airport Master Planning

  • Airport Programming

  • Environmental Assessment

  • Airport Zoning and Compatible Land Use




























    • Pennsylvania is committed to an efficient airport system that effectively meets national and state goals while balancing individual airport needs. PennDOT conducts Continuous Airport System Planning because, with the growing cost of development and maintenance, it is critical to have up-to-date tools and data for decision making. Pennsylvania's complete SASP and latest updates are available below.

  • 2002 Statewide Airport System Plan

  • 2007 Statewide Airport System Plan

  • 2011 Economic Impact Study

  • 2011 Economic Impact Technical Report

  • 2002 PA Economic Impact Study

  • Air Service Study

  • Air Cargo Study


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    Airport planning responsibilities within the bureau mirror those of the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA. In fact, bureau planners have delegated authority, through a State Block Grant agreement with the FAA, to approve Aviation Forecast and Airport Layout Plans. The required elements of the Airport Master Plan are referenced routinely for federal and state funding decision making. Planners ensure airport development plans are consistent with FAA Orders, Regulations and Advisory Circulars.

    Other Airport planning studies help determine the feasibility, or the benefit-cost relationship of, a particular project. Planners approve the scope of work and grant payment request for all planning studies.

    Planning also evaluates general-aviation airports' infrastructure for suitability and recommendation for a Global Positioning System to support the airports' vertically guided instrument approaches. The new technology will provide additional safety for aviators without the installation of costly conventional instrument landing systems.

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    Effective statewide airport improvement planning and programming are essential in preserving, protecting and expanding (as appropriate) Pennsylvania's system of airports. Significant time and effort is dedicated to working with individual airport sponsors to develop a realistic airport improvement program that addresses safety, standards and capacity issues. More information on programming is available at the following links:

  • PennDOT Twelve Year Plan Program

  • Aviation Four Year Plan Projects

  • FAA National Priority Rating Criteria

  • Aviation Development Program Project Selection Criteria

    • The Bureau utilizes the Joint Automated Capital Improvement Program (JACIP) to electronically collect, evaluate and communicate twelve and four year plan data with funding eligible airport sponsors. JACIP also stores airport and project information that is used in the evaluation and selection of airports funding requests.

  • JACIP

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    Another Core Airport planning function is the assessment of projects' potential environmental impacts. A project must be environmentally cleared before federal or state funding can be granted. Projects approved for federal funding must meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, of 1969. Requirements and detailed information are outlined in:

  • FAA Order 1050.1E, Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts

  • FAA Order 5050.4B, NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions.

  • Environmental Desk Reference

  • Environmental Evaluation Forms

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    Another planning area critical to airport preservation is Airport Hazard Zoning and Compatible Land-Use. Collaborative land-use management between local communities and transportation entities is necessary to contain costs and ensure the state's system has room to grow to meet future demand. Pennsylvania validates it's commitment to protecting and preserving aviation facilities within the Commonwealth through Act 164 , Chapter 59, Airport Operation and Zoning. Instructions to those looking to erect, add to, or maintain airport approach obstructions can be found in Chapter 479 of the Regulations Relating to Pennsylvania Aviation. The following links are designed to address frequently asked zoning and land use questions.

      Airport Hazard Zoning

        1. Zoning Status Report - This report lists the affected municipalites by airport and whether Act 164 compliant zoning ordinances have been enacted.

        2. Airport Zoning Overlay Maps

          b. Overlays in PDF- See "Pennsylvania Aiports" Link on left

          c. Overlays in GIS - See PA Spatial Data Access (PASDA) Website (Note : use download data tab and search for airport zoning)

        3. Model Zoning Ordinances

        4. Airport Hazard Zoning Project

          b. Airport Zoning Ordinance Workshop
            4) Workshop Presentation Webinar Recording (Available upon request)

        • Additional Hazard Zoning Information/Links

          • FAA-Form 7460-1 Notice of Proposed Construction or Alteration

      Compatible Land Use

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