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Obtaining Property Addresses
All property addresses are assigned by local municipal governments within Luzerne County in consultation with the County 911 Department. For public safety purposes- assignments should follow the 2009 Luzerne County Addressing Ordinance. Questions on how to obtain a new property address may be directed to Louis Romanelli at the County 911 Department at 570-826-3062.
2023 Zoning Map
The Luzerne County Zoning Map has been updated to reflect conditions existing as of March 15, 2023:
2023 Luzerne County Zoning Map
The map is subject to further updates which may occur due to subsequent re-zonings through ordinance amendment. To verify the zoning of any parcel under County jurisdiction, inquirers must call Robert Kenney at 570-825-1567 or Priscilla Cuevas at 570-825-1589.
The 2023 Zoning Map corresponds to the Luzerne County Zoning Ordinance and Schedule of Fees currently in effect since March 24, 2021:
2021 Luzerne County Zoning Ordinance
2021 Luzerne County Zoning Schedule of Fees
Right-to-Know Requests: Limited Jurisdiction
If you are seeking to file a Right-to-Know Request for zoning or environmental information, please be advised of our limited jurisdiction and read the following at this link. Right-to-Know Requests may be sent to Assistant Solicitor Laura Dennis.
Zoning Permits
If you are seeking a Zoning Permit or a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, please call one of the following staffers:
Priscilla Cuevas 570-825-1589
Robert Kenney 570-825-1567
We can help you start the application process via phone and e-mail, and then schedule appointments to complete the fee process and permit issuance.
Subdivision and Land Development
If you are looking to submit a land development or subdivision plan for review or for signatures, please contact Patrick Dooley at 570-825-1565. Plans and permit applications (with appropriate fees) may also be mailed to the office and we'll respond as soon as we can. Please call in advance to check fee amounts before submittal.
Turnpike Interchange Improvements
PennDOT is planning to improve the interchange between the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate-476) and Interstate-81 located in Dupont Borough and Pittston Township as part of the broader Scranton Beltway project. Construction is planned to begin in 2029 and finish in 2031. Details on the project can be found at this link.
Update: Widening of Interstate-81
PennDOT is planning to widen two segments of I-81 from 2 lanes into 3 lanes:
PennDOT will widen I-81 between Nuangola and Wilkes-Barre. The timeline for this segment of the project has recently been pushed back 3 years. Rather than beginning in 2025, construction is slated to start in 2028. Rather than completion in 2030, the project is now planned to finish in 2033. The latest information on the project can be found at this link.
PennDOT also plans to widen I-81 between Avoca and Scranton (in Lackawanna County) beginning as early as 2028 (this project will also take approximately 5 years) finishing around 2033. More information on that project can be found here and here.
2022 Roadway Safety Review Report
The safety review report for troublesome intersections surveyed in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties between Sept. and October 2022 is available here. The final version of the report, which includes ideas for increasing safety and improving traffic flow at these sites, was published on Jan. 24, 2023. Questions may be directed to Jonathan Shaw at 570-825-1563.
State Law #247
The latest version of the Municipalities Planning Code is available here. This is Pennsylvania Act #247 of 1968 as Re-enacted and Amended Through 2021. This version was published in 2022.
2021-2040 Comprehensive Plan
The final version of the 2021 Lackawanna-Luzerne Counties Comprehensive Plan is available here.
The Plan was adopted by Luzerne County Council on April 27, 2021 (effective May 3, 2021), and by the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on June 16, 2021. Final edits were reconciled on June 30, 2021. The final document was posted and became available online July 16, 2021.
The Comprehensive Plan provides a snapshot of regional conditions and serves as an aspirational thought-piece for guiding the future land-use development of our communities through the year 2040.
State law requires Luzerne County to revise and re-publish its Comprehensive Plan every 10 years. The project was coordinated with Lackawanna County to create a bi-county regional comprehensive plan in tandem with the development of a bi-county Long Range Transportation Plan (separate but related document). Outside consultant, Michael Baker International, was utilized to assist the Counties in developing both plans. Questions on the Comprehensive Plan may be directed to Matthew Jones at 570-825-1566.
2021-2045 Long Range Transportation Plan
The 2021-2045 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for the Lackawanna-Luzerne Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization (LLTS MPO) was adopted unanimously by that body's Coordinating Committee on Feb. 3, 2021. Updated every five years, the LRTP is a 25-year plan that guides prioritization and investment in the region's transportation infrastructure improvement projects.
The LRTP may be viewed here. More information can be found on the MPO webpage or by contacting Matthew Jones at 570-825-1566.
2020 Bicycle-Pedestrian Study
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Study for the Downtown Business Districts of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre was published in December 2020 and adopted by the Lackawanna-Luzerne Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization (LLTS MPO) on Feb. 3, 2021. More information, including appendices and illustrative maps, can be found here. Questions may be directed to Jonathan Shaw at 570-825-1563.
2020-2025 Luzerne County Hazard Mitigation Plan
The 2020 Luzerne County Hazard Mitigation Plan may be viewed here. The Plan was approved by FEMA and published on Sept. 8, 2020, after receiving favorable review by PEMA on Aug. 19, 2020. On Sept. 10, 2020, the Luzerne County Planning Commission voted to recommend the Plan be adopted by County Council. The Plan was adopted by the Luzerne County Council on Oct. 13, 2020. As of Oct. 23, 2023- sixty-five (65) municipalities within Luzerne County have adopted the Plan. Adoption of the Plan by municipalities renders those communities eligible to benefit from state/federal hazard mitigation grants, should any be sought, over the five (5) year-period commencing Sept. 8, 2020 and ending Sept. 7, 2025. Any questions may be directed to Matthew Jones at 570-825-1566. A 2-page Executive Summary of the Plan's highlights published on Oct. 16, 2021 may be viewed here. The following amendments have since been added to the Plan:
Endorsement of the Penn Lake Park Dam Repair Project
Endorsement of the West Pittston Borough Levee Project
2004 Open Space, Greenways and Outdoor Recreation Master Plan
The 2004 Lackawanna-Luzerne Counties Open Space, Greenways and Outdoor Recreation Master Plan may be viewed here.
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Forms
Browse forms related to the Planning and Zoning Department of Luzerne County.
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Grant Letters of Consistency
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Hazard Mitigation Plan
Check out the hazard mitigation plan of the County of Luzerne's Planning and Zoning Department.
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Lackawanna / Luzerne Metropolitan Organization
View more information about the Lackawanna and Luzerne Metropolitan Planning Organization.
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Lackawanna-Luzerne Regional Plan
Find the comprehensive plan and long-range transportation plan for Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties.
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Municipal Services
Read about the municipalities services of the Planning and Zoning Department.
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Planning Commission
Check out the members and agendas and minutes of the Planning Commission.
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Stormwater Management Plan
Access documents related to the stormwater management plan of the County.
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Subdivision & Land Development (SALDO)
View information about subdivision and land development in Luzerne County.
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Transportation Planning
Learn more about how transportation planning works in the County.
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Zoning
Find how the Office of Planning and Zoning oversees the administration of zoning matters.
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Zoning Hearing Board
Browse the members and agendas and minutes of the County's Zoning Hearing Board.
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Matthew C. Jones, AICP
Executive Director
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Planning & Zoning
Physical Address
20 N Pennsylvania Avenue
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Phone: 570-825-1560Fax: 570-825-6362
Hours
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Applications accepted up to 4 p.m.