The Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) provides regulations that are enacted to maintain acceptable site design standards for development of land within a municipality and to coordinate public improvements on the properties.

Subdivision is the creation of new lots or property lines, while land development involves construction of buildings and improvements. Land is a valuable natural resource, and its division and development create a major portion of the physical surroundings and greatly define the character of communities and quality of life for citizens.

Whenever any development or subdivision of land is proposed, before any contract is made for the sale of any part thereof, and before any permit for the erection of a structure in such proposed development is granted, the owner, or the owner's authorized agent, must apply for and secure approval of such proposed development in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance.

If you can answer yes to the following questions, then your project likely requires a Land Development Application:

• • Is your project the improvement of one lot or two or more contiguous lots, tracts, or parcels of land for any purpose involving:
    • A group of two or more residential or nonresidential buildings, whether proposed initially or cumulatively, or a single nonresidential building on a lot or lots regardless of the number of occupants or tenure; or
    • The division or allocation of land or space, whether initially or cumulatively, between or among two or more existing or prospective occupants by means of or for the purpose of streets, common areas, leaseholds, condominiums, building groups or other features.
  • Is your project a subdivision of land

• The conversion of an existing single-family detached dwelling or single-family semidetached dwelling into not more than three residential units, unless such units are intended to be a condominium;
• The addition of an accessory building, including farm buildings, on a lot or lots subordinate to an existing principal building; or
• The addition or conversion of buildings or rides within the confines of an enterprise which would be considered an amusement park. For purposes of this subsection, an amusement park is defined as a tract of area used principally as a location for permanent amusement structures or rides. This exclusion shall not apply to newly acquired acreage by an amusement park until initial plans for the expanded area have been approved by proper authorities.

Minor Land Development: Projects are typically single-lot, single structure land developments, where in the opinion of the Planning Director, the impact and intensity of the land development does not warrant review by the ACPC.

Major Land Development : Any development project that is not determined to be a Minor Land Development.

Minor Subdivision: A subdivision that creates a net increase of not more than four lots fronting on an existing opened street or road which does not involve the substantial extension of municipal facilities, does not adversely affecting the remainder of the parcel or adjoining property, and does not in conflict with any provision or portion of the Master Plan, Official Map, Zoning/Land Development Ordinances.

Major Subdivision: Subdivisions not classified as minor subdivisions, including but not limited to the subdivision of five or more lots, or any size subdivision requiring any new street or extension of the local government facilities, or the creation of any public improvements.

A Sketch Plan can be submitted to enable the developer to receive comments from staff prior to the preparation of the preliminary plan (or final plan in the case of minor land developments).

A Pre-Application Meeting provides you with the opportunity to discuss your proposed project with all reviewing disciplines, including, but not limited to, the Planning Director and City Engineer, prior to the initial submittal of your application. This allows all review disciplines to discuss approval procedures, the subdivision ordinance design, and improvement requirements. The preapplication meeting can streamline and increase the effectiveness of any plan review process.

Pre-Application Meetings are held on Monday afternoons. Reach out to Jesus Sadiua schedule your Pre-Application Meeting. 

All Land Development applications must be submitted electronically in EnerGov through the Civic Access (CSS). In addition, two (2) paper sets of all plans must be submitted to the Planning Office within 24 hours of your electronic submittal.

If you have any issues submitting your digital plans, please contact thePlanning Bureau.

For all MAJOR submissions, submit a complete application 30 days prior to the next ACPC meeting. Applications submitted after the ACPC deadline will not be accepted. Our meeting schedule can be found here: Meeting Date and Deadlines.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. An application will be considered complete and ready for processing only if it is submitted in the required number and form, includes all required information, and is accompanied by required application filing and public notice fees. Use the Application Checklist to ensure your submittal is complete. Also, refer to our Fee Schedule (allentownpa.gov) to calculate the appropriate fee for your application.

Applications deemed complete will be placed in the first available application processing cycle and will be reviewed by staff and other review and decisionmaking bodies, in accordance with the applicable review and approval procedures. All Land Development applications are reviewed by the following City Offices: Engineering, Traffic, Zoning, Shade Tree Commission, Floodplain Manager and Parks Department.

At the conclusion of the initial review cycle a Submittal Report with comments and conditions will be provided to the applicant. All comments need to be addressed during subsequent resubmissions.

If you are curious as to the status of your application, you can track the progress of your application through your Civic Access (allentownpa.gov).

Submit a comment response letter, addressing all comments and one digital version of the revised plans/documents in EnerGov through the Citizen’s Self Service portal. Submit 2 paper plan sets to the Planning Office within 24 hours of your electronic resubmittal.

MAJOR resubmittals for the ACPC must be submitted 25 days prior to the next ACPC meeting. Please refer to Meeting Date and Deadlines.

A Submittal Report will be provided at the end of each review cycle until all comments have been addressed and the plans have been approved.

Once all comments are addressed and the Bureau of Engineering comments indicate that the security estimate and colorized plan have been approved, a Land Development Agreement can be created. Reach out to Jesus Sadiua (610-437-7630 x2865) to prepare the Land Development Agreement.

Complete the following application for signatures: Request for Signatures for Recordation. The following plan sets must be submitted with the application: one (1) mylar and one (2) paper copies of the record plan(s) and three (3) complete plan sets stamped “for construction”. Other documentation may be required. Incomplete submittals will not be accepted. If you have any questions, please contact the Planning Bureau.

In addition to the SALDO [City of Allentown, PA Land Development and Subdivision (ecode360.com)], the developer must also refer to and comply with the following related ordinances, standards, and land development regulations:

City of Allentown, PA Land Development Controls (ecode360.com)

City of Allentown, PA Zoning (ecode360.com)

City of Allentown, PA Sidewalks, Curbs, Handicapped Ramps and Driveways (ecode360.com)                           

City of Allentown, PA Flood Control (ecode360.com)

City of Allentown, PA Stormwater Management (ecode360.com)

Act 167 (pa.gov)

The Americans with Disabilities Act | ADA.gov (for curb, sidewalk, handicap ramps, parking areas, signage, and building access)

Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (land development and earth disturbance regulations)

Pennsylvania DEP (pa.gov) (land development and earth disturbance regulations)

PennDOT Home (pa.gov) (land development and earth disturbance regulations)

Lehigh County Conservation District  (land development and earth disturbance regulations)

Home | Lehigh County Authority (land development and earth disturbance regulations)

It is the responsibility of the developer to obtain approvals and permits for each of the applicable regulations listed above before submitting the final plans signature for recordation.